Mohammed V Avenue is the most glamorous and beautiful street in Rabat. It is the ideal shopping destination in Rabat. It is also the main street of the Ville Nouvelle (New City), built by the French in 1912 during their protectorate. If you are looking for the best places to shop, you will find the top fashion brands and the most luxurious stores on this street. It has beautiful fountains and is an ideal street to take a long walk or sit and enjoy the charm and life of this trendy part of the city. There you will find the Parliament with its distinctive red façade, the Main Post and Telegraph Office, the main railway station and the Bank of Morocco.
The street, one of Rabat’s main thoroughfares, has a pedestrian boulevard in its centre with elegant, tall palm trees and landscaped areas that give it a special freshness and is much appreciated by the locals and visitors, especially at sunset. At one end of Mohammed V Avenue is the Assounna mosque, one of Rabat’s most famous, and, at the other end, is the Medina or old city of Rabat. It is clearly a street to stroll along and enjoy from one end to the other.
Things to see on Mohammed V Avenue
Mohammed V Avenue is lined with unique buildings of interest and landscaped areas that are much appreciated by those walking along it. On this street are the Mohammed V Gardens (also known as Mohammed V Boulevard) which provide very pleasant areas for public enjoyment and for a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Numerous embassies are located in the immediate vicinity and the Mohammed V National Theatre, the largest in Morocco and the first built after the country’s independence, is also nearby. Other major buildings on Mohammed V Avenue include the railway station, the Parliament and the Main Post and Telegraph Office.
Train station
Opened in 1923 in Art Deco style and remodelled in 2012, Gare de Rabat-Ville is Rabat’s main railway station and one of the oldest in Morocco. It is located in the middle of Mohammed V Avenue and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a very lively atmosphere, there are plenty of places to eat or have a snack, and it is often very busy. A word of advice: if you are travelling by train, it is advisable to buy your tickets online to avoid long queues. There is a train service to the airport from there.
Parliament
Built by the architect Laforgue with a distinctive red façade, the Parliament or House of Representatives now occupies the former Palace of Justice in Rabat. Morocco’s first constitution dates back to 1962, five years after the country’s independence.
Main Post and Telegraph Office
Office. The Main Post and Telegraph Office is a grand building, one of the most striking and surprising on Mohammed V Avenue. It was designed in the Art Deco style and causes a sensation among those who stroll through the New City of Rabat. Since 1970, it has housed a Museum of Postal Services and Telecommunications, where you can see interesting collections of stamps, envelopes, telephones and telegraph machines. There you can see, for example, the first Moroccan stamp, dating from the 12th century, which depicts the Aisha mosque in Tangier.
Where to stay in Rabat
If you want to enjoy Rabat’s heritage and uniqueness and rest in a comfortable establishment, we clearly recommend the five-star Hotel Farah Rabat, located in the heart of the Moroccan capital. It is a very interesting accommodation, located on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river and within walking distance of Mohammed V Avenue. It has stunning views of the river and the marina.
Its rooms are equipped with every comfort and carefully designed and decorated with some elements of traditional Moroccan culture. That is how new and old blend harmoniously in this remarkable hotel. It also has a large food offering. You can also relax in the spa. In any case, you will experience great luxury while exploring all the secrets and charms of Rabat, one of the most modern cities in Morocco. What’s more, its value for money is unbeatable.
