Rabat – Morocco’s capital, Rabat, has been included in Lonely Planet’s “Best in Travel 2027” list, which highlights 25 destinations around the world for travelers to consider visiting next year.
The annual selection brings together recommendations from Lonely Planet’s writers, editors, and travel community. The 2027 edition features destinations ranging from Oman and the Italian region of Veneto to Kenya’s Tsavo East and West national parks.
Rabat appears among the 25 destinations, although Lonely Planet does not assign them numerical rankings. The publisher highlights the city for its historic sites, beaches, cultural attractions and traditional riads.
In its official guide to the 2027 destinations, Lonely Planet describes Rabat as a coastal city that combines preserved archaeological sites with a lively cultural scene. The capital offers sandy beaches, cinemas, galleries, restaurants, festivals and shopping areas.
The city is also home to several major historical landmarks. The Kasbah of the Oudayas, overlooking the Bou Regreg River and the Atlantic Ocean, features narrow streets and traditional blue-and-white houses. Other attractions include the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Chellah archaeological site, which contains Roman and medieval remains.
Rabat’s historic center is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized in 2012 for its combination of historic architecture and modern urban planning.
The capital has also developed a cultural scene that includes museums, art galleries, and music festivals. The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art displays works by Moroccan and international artists, while the city’s tramway connects several central districts.
Lonely Planet also points to Rabat’s coastal lifestyle, particularly the beaches around the Oudayas, where visitors can spend time by the Atlantic Ocean. The city offers an alternative to Morocco’s more heavily visited tourist destinations, including Marrakech and Essaouira.
Other destinations featured on the list include Québec and Prince Edward Island in Canada, California’s Coastal Redwoods and Maryland in the United States, Veneto in Italy, Dessau in Germany, Montserrat in the Caribbean, Oman, Tsavo East and West National Parks in Kenya, Okinawa in Japan, Chengdu in China, Gujarat in India, Da Nang in Vietnam, and Fulidhoo in the Maldives.
