The Kasbah of the Oudayas

The Kasbah of the Oudayas

The Kasbah of the Oudayas was created with a great mission: to be the protector of the necropolis of Chellah and the mouth of the famous Bou Regreg river. What you see now is nothing compared to what it was in its best days.

But it is still an incredible place full of stories everywhere, so from Morocco Tourism we want to invite you to know the Kasbah of the Oudayas, its past and each of its corners during your Morocco tours.

Origin of the Kasbah of the Oudayas

The Kasbah of the Oudayas is an ancient fortress, which was designed as a family fort in the thirteenth century.

This Kasbah in Morocco has changed its use over the years, so it has been going through several stages of rehabilitation in recent decades, which have led to what we see now.

In 2012 the Alcazaba was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Right in this place, we can find one of the most significant palaces of the Alaouite dynasty, which still reigns in the country; we can also see the monumental and famous Bab el Kébir gate.

The name of the Kasbah of the Oudayas originates from the Oudayas tribe, characteristic of the Sahara Desert of Morocco.

Getting to the Kasbah of the Oudayas

To get easily and quickly to the Kasbah of the Oudayas we just have to cross Rabat through the Medina; in case you do not know how to locate you, do not worry, the petit cab you can get at any of the corners and will always be ready to take you.

More recently, there is a streetcar line that goes across the capital; it has a stop near the Kasbah of the Oudayas, from where you just have to walk for 10 minutes for a stroll through Morocco.

The access

To enter the Kasbah of the Oudayas you just have to go through the great gate of the Almohads and you will be inside.

Our recommendation is not to visit the Kasbah of the Oudayas in a hurry, but you can spend at least two hours to know each of its corners.

To make the entrance more striking (if that is possible) have placed a red carpet that goes down the steps that give access to the Kasbah of the Oudayas, also has beautiful gardens on both sides, until you reach the door of Bad Oudaia.

Once you are inside, not only is the walk through the streets of the Kasbah of the Oudayas, but you can not miss the viewpoint of the Kasbah because it has incredible views.

A tour

Most people who go sightseeing in Morocco go through the main gate – and how not – but the truth is that to cross the wall of the Kasbah of the Oudayas we must enter through the door that is to the right of the main one, which is smaller.

When you are inside the Kasbah of the Oudayas the feeling that embarks you is almost indescribable, it is as if you enter another world from one moment to another: each of its narrow streets and blue and white corners will hypnotize you.

You can see a big difference between the more modern and urbanized Rabat of Morocco and the Kasbah of the Oudayas which has been protected from the passage of time by the wall that surrounds it.

The Andalusian gardens of the Oudayas

If you have been to Granada, it is normal that you notice the similarity between the two places; the gardens of the Kasbah of the Oudayas have an Andalusian architectural style throughout.

They are full of greenery and freshness everywhere; besides, we can see the boys of the city on one side of the garden playing some melody to the sound of the guitar; it is not uncommon to find in this walk with some couples in romantic plan.

Strolling through the streets of the Kasbah of Oudayas

Nothing like a walk through the steep streets of the Kasbah of the Oudayas, to know it in all its splendor. In each street we can see the houses painted in the distinguished blue and white colors; an Andalusian heritage that is still present in the place.

This labyrinth of streets leads us to direct access to the sea, right at the mouth of the Bou Regreg river; if you want to have one of the best views of the coast of Rabat, this is the right place.

The medina of the Oudayas

It is incredible how many tourists go to the Kasbah of the Oudayas with the desire to feel that atmosphere full of history and mystery at the same time.

In every part of the medina, we see wrought iron gates and corners full of cultural richness that attract travelers from all over the world.

Exteriors

There is a wall that was built in the mid-sixteenth century in one of its sections, and the other in the seventeenth century. The latter borders the Kasbah of the Oudayas. From the outside what impresses most is the view of the main gate, with its decoration with alveoli that make it a real jewel in Rabat.

Panoramic views with a taste of coffee

Just a few meters from the Kasbah of the Oudayas we find an outdoor cafe; an emblematic place par excellence in Rabat.

Here, it is almost an obligation to make a stop and go to the terrace to enjoy the great views it offers, from there you can see the city of Salé, the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohamed V, and the mouth of the river Bouregreg.

All this is accompanied by the best mint tea in town and a taste of Moroccan cuisine, such as almond pastries.

We can not finish a trip to Morocco without visiting the Kasbah of the Oudayas; an area capable of surprising and attracting everyone who approaches, enveloping him in its narrow streets and its different atmosphere to the rest of the city of Rabat.