Rabat Joins Lonely Planet’s Top Travel Destinations for 2027

09:25

By: Azzat Manal

Rabat Joins Lonely Planet’s Top Travel Destinations for 2027

Morocco’s capital, Rabat, is gaining further international recognition after being included in Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2027” selection, an annual guide highlighting 25 destinations recommended for travelers planning their next adventures.

The list brings together places from across the world, chosen by the travel publisher’s writers, editors and wider community. Rather than presenting a numbered ranking, the selection showcases destinations with distinctive natural landscapes, historical heritage and cultural experiences. Rabat’s inclusion reflects its combination of historic monuments, Atlantic beaches, contemporary cultural venues and traditional Moroccan architecture.

In its travel guide, Lonely Planet presents Rabat as a coastal city where preserved heritage sites coexist with a lively cultural scene. Visitors can explore historic neighborhoods, attend exhibitions and film screenings, discover local restaurants, browse shops and experience festivals, all within a city that offers a different perspective on Morocco’s tourism landscape.

One of Rabat’s most recognizable attractions is the Kasbah of the Udayas, overlooking the Bouregreg River estuary and the Atlantic Ocean. Its narrow streets, traditional houses and distinctive blue-and-white façades offer a glimpse into the city’s architectural heritage. The nearby coastline adds another dimension to the visitor experience, with ocean views and sandy beaches providing opportunities to relax outside the historic center.

The capital also contains several landmarks that trace Morocco’s layered history. The Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the archaeological site of Chellah are among its best-known attractions. Chellah, in particular, preserves remains associated with both the Roman period and the medieval era, illustrating the different civilizations that have shaped the region.

Rabat’s historic center received international recognition in 2012, when UNESCO added the city’s historic ensemble to its World Heritage List. The designation acknowledges the relationship between its historic urban fabric and modern urban planning, highlighting the capital’s development across different periods.

Beyond its monuments, Rabat has established itself as an important cultural destination. The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art displays works by Moroccan and international artists, while the city’s museums, galleries and music festivals contribute to a diverse cultural calendar. Its tramway network also makes it easier for residents and visitors to move between several central districts and key urban areas.

The city’s Atlantic setting is another part of its appeal. The beaches around the Kasbah of the Udayas offer views across the ocean, while the capital’s mix of historic quarters, green spaces and contemporary amenities allows visitors to combine sightseeing with leisure. For travelers seeking an alternative to Morocco’s more internationally established tourist centers, Rabat offers a blend of heritage and everyday urban life.

The wider Lonely Planet selection for 2027 includes destinations across several continents, among them Quebec and Prince Edward Island in Canada, California’s coastal redwood forests and Maryland in the United States, Italy’s Veneto region, Dessau in Germany, Montserrat in the Caribbean, Oman, Kenya’s Tsavo national parks, Okinawa in Japan, Chengdu in China, Gujarat in India, Da Nang in Vietnam and the Maldivian island of Fulidhoo.

Rabat’s presence on the list adds to the international visibility of Morocco’s capital as a destination that extends beyond traditional expectations of the country’s tourism offering. With its historic sites, thriving cultural institutions, coastal landscapes and modern transport links, the city provides travelers with an opportunity to experience Morocco through a combination of history, art and life on the Atlantic coast.