Enjoy an Arabic language course in Morocco
at our language school in the city of Rabat.

Rabat is the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco and its population of 650,000 people makes it the country’s third largest city. While it was once an important port city, Rabat is located at the mouth of the river Bou Regreg and the accumulation of silt has made the port shallower and less important for shipping. Construction, textiles and food processing all continue as important industries and its role as the capital make it the second most important city after Casablanca. Rabat has passed through many hands leaving the incredible architectural marvels of the Almohads, the exciting history as a Barbary pirate enclave and the urban planning and development of its time as a French protectorate.


Rabat began as a settlement called Chellah founded by Carthiginians is the third century BCE. In 40 AD the Romans conquered it and for about 200 years it existed as a Roman settlement until it was returned to local leaders. The city developed and in the mid-1100s its small fortress was expanded greatly and used by the Almohad rulers to wage attacks on Spain. It is from this era when it was called “Ribatu l-Fath” (stronghold of victory) that Rabat got its current name. The capital of the Almohad empire was moved to Rabat by Yaqub al-Mansur who began construction of an immense mosque and the Hassan Tower but died before they were completed and the unfinished ruins still remain. Rabat stagnated for some time until in 1627 Barbary pirates united Rabat with Salé (the city across the river) and used the port to launch attacks on shipping for the next two centuries. With the French invasion of Morocco in 1912 Rabat was made the capital of Morocco and Henri Prost designed the Ville Nouvelle quarter of the city. Even after gaining independence Rabat has remained the capital to this day.


Major sites to visit are the ruins of the Yaqub al-Mansour’s mosque particularly what was intended to be the world’s largest minaret at the time. Although only constructed to 44m (about half its intended height) the Hassan Tower is quite impressive. Across from the ruins is the modern masterpiece of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V which is the resting place of the Moroccan king and his sons. Another major building is the Kasbah des Oudaias with its massive walls and the impressive Bab Oudaia gateway. Ruins from Chellah can still be explored but is now home to hundreds of birds. Most artefacts from Morocco’s history can be found in the Rabat Archaeological Museum. With extensive collections and human remains dating back to the Neanderthals. Of course, there are lovely beaches that are a pleasure to visit. Rabat is also a lovely city to explore as it is one of the most cosmopolitan and accepting cities in the country and a wonderful place to practice your newfound fluency in Arabic!


What we like about Arabic in Rabat:

  • Due to its central location, Rabat allows students to explore the surrounding region and other great Moroccan destinations on the weekends.
  • Rabat is a manageable city that is used to and accepting of foreigner.
  • The city has a great and diverse history and also offers authentic Moroccan culture.