First Impressions of Rabat

Rabat is stunning. Wide palm-lined boulevards, white stone buildings, the ocean just at the edge of the city—it’s a capital that carries itself with a sense of presence. In some ways, it reminds me of Washington, D.C. There are government buildings everywhere, the pace feels official, and you can tell this is the center of decision-making. The comparison struck me immediately: this is Morocco’s D.C.

A picture of Assounna Mosque in Rabat Center.

One of the first things I noticed is how walkable the city is. Most days I slide on my sandals and head out for whatever errands or meetings I need to get to. Without even trying, I usually end up walking five to ten miles a day. Everything from the medina to the grocery store to the waterfront is within reach on foot. It’s a city designed for moving through, not just driving past. While I love Maine, this is a change I have been looking forward to.

That said, walking here comes with a learning curve—specifically when it comes to crossing the street. Cars treat lanes as optional, traffic lights as negotiable, and crosswalks as more of a general suggestion. At first, I thought the best approach was to just go for it. Wrong. The actual trick is to make eye contact with the driver, step forward confidently, and trust that they’ll stop. Sometimes this means making it halfway across before getting stranded on the median, waiting for the next wave of cars to pass before finishing the journey. It’s not elegant, but it works.

Despite the traffic adventures, I’m already impressed with how livable Rabat feels. It’s beautiful, practical, and surprisingly familiar for a capital city, while still being distinctly Moroccan. These first impressions have made one thing clear: this will be an easy place to settle into, even if I have to sharpen my street-crossing skills along the way.

A picture of me in the median of Mohammed V Avenue - a main street in Rabat.