About a million people live in the capital Rabat and its sister city Sale, but wandering around the Medina, the Kasbah or the Modern Town this is not the impression you get. Life is easy. Not many people harrass you. Shopowners are very nice.

For this reason Rabat is a good first base to start exploring Morocco. You can get in touch with life the Morrocan way at your own pace.

Watch the changing of the Royal Guard at the Royal Palace (Friday mornings) walk the narrow streets of the Casbah des Oudaya and visit the 12th-century Tour Hassan.

Several other interesting sights should be visited if time permits. Chief among these are Bouknadel and its Jardins Exotiques (fascinating gardens) and Chellah which has interesting museums, a 17th-century fortress and Roman ruins. And don't neglect Rabat's sister city Sale with its Grand Mosque, city gates, markets, small back streets and harbour filled with fishing boats.

You might also consider going to the beach in Rabat, although the beaches south of the city are somewhat better than those in town itself.