Things to Do in Rabat in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Rabat
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Comfortable daytime temperatures around 18-20°C (64-68°F) make walking the medina and coastal areas genuinely pleasant - you won't be sweating through your clothes like summer visitors, but it's warm enough for outdoor dining and sunset strolls along the Bouregreg River
- Spring wildflowers transform the Chellah ruins and Andalusian Gardens into something actually worth photographing - the orange blossoms are peaking in March, and locals time their weekend picnics around this brief window before the heat arrives
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 25-40% compared to the December-February peak, and you'll actually get tables at popular spots like the fish market restaurants in the Kasbah without booking days ahead
- The Atlantic is warming up from winter lows, reaching 16-17°C (61-63°F) by late March - still brisk but surfers are back out in force at Plage de Rabat, and the coastal air feels refreshing rather than punishing
Considerations
- March sits right in the transition zone between winter rains and spring warmth, meaning weather can swing wildly - you might get three gorgeous days followed by two of drizzle and wind, making rigid itinerary planning frustrating
- Those 10 rainy days aren't spread evenly - March tends to deliver rain in clusters, sometimes two or three consecutive days, which can really disrupt outdoor plans if you're only visiting for a long weekend
- The medina's narrow streets can get surprisingly muddy after rain, and some of the uneven stone pathways become slippery - not ideal if you're planning intensive walking tours or have mobility concerns
Best Activities in March
Medina Walking and Historical Quarter Exploration
March weather is actually ideal for spending hours wandering Rabat's UNESCO-listed medina and the Kasbah des Oudaias - temperatures stay comfortable even at midday, unlike the 35°C+ (95°F+) summer heat that sends everyone scrambling for shade by 2pm. The morning light in March is particularly good for photographing the blue-and-white streets of the Kasbah, and you can comfortably walk the full circuit from Hassan Tower to the Chellah ruins (about 5 km or 3.1 miles) without feeling wiped out. The occasional rain actually clears out the crowds, giving you those rare moments when you'll have entire sections to yourself. Start early around 9am when shopkeepers are opening and the medina feels authentic rather than touristy.
Chellah Necropolis and Garden Visits
The Chellah ruins are genuinely at their best in March - the ancient Roman and medieval Islamic site gets overrun with storks building nests, wildflowers bloom among the crumbling columns, and the temperature is perfect for exploring the terraced gardens without melting. The site sits in a natural bowl that can feel oppressive in summer heat, but March afternoons around 15-18°C (59-64°F) are ideal. The gardens behind the main ruins are worth the extra 30 minutes - locals know this is the spot for orange blossom season. Entry is 70 MAD, and you'll want at least 90 minutes to see everything properly. The site closes at 5:30pm, so afternoon visits around 3pm work well when the light is softer.
Atlantic Coast Surfing and Beach Activities
March marks the return of serious surf season to Rabat's beaches - the Atlantic swells are consistent, the water is warming up from winter lows, and the crowds are manageable compared to summer when every beach gets packed. Plage de Rabat and nearby Temara beaches see good waves in the 1-2 meter (3-6 foot) range, perfect for intermediate surfers. The water sits around 16-17°C (61-63°F), so you'll want a 3/2mm or 4/3mm wetsuit, which rental shops provide. Even if you're not surfing, the coastal promenade is excellent for running or cycling in March - the humidity is noticeable but not oppressive, and the UV index of 8 means you're getting genuine sun exposure without the intensity of summer.
Andalusian Gardens and Botanical Site Tours
The Andalusian Gardens inside the Kasbah des Oudaias are small but genuinely lovely in March when everything is blooming and the orange trees are fragrant. It's one of those spots that feels worth the visit specifically in spring - come in summer and it's just hot stone and wilted plants. The gardens sit on a cliff overlooking the Bouregreg River and Atlantic, and March weather means you can actually sit on the benches and enjoy it rather than rushing through. The nearby Exotic Gardens (Jardin d'Essais Botaniques) are larger and less touristy, with walking paths that take 45-60 minutes to cover properly. Both spots are popular with local families on weekend afternoons, which gives you a more authentic vibe than pure tourist attractions.
Bouregreg River Marina and Waterfront Development
The newer Bouregreg Marina development along the river is where Rabat feels modern and forward-looking rather than historical. March is perfect for the riverside promenade walk - about 3 km (1.9 miles) from the marina to the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern Art, with cafes and restaurants lining the route. The area comes alive in late afternoon when locals come out for evening walks, and the temperature drops to comfortable levels around 15-16°C (59-61°F). You can rent bikes for 50-80 MAD per hour or take the tram that connects both sides of the river. The modern art museum is worth 2-3 hours if you're into contemporary Moroccan and African art, and March means smaller crowds than peak winter season.
Day Trips to Nearby Coastal Towns and Historical Sites
March weather makes day trips from Rabat actually pleasant rather than exhausting. Salé across the river has a less polished but more authentic medina that's worth 2-3 hours of wandering. The coastal town of Skhirat (30 km or 19 miles south) has better beaches than Rabat proper and fewer crowds in March. For history enthusiasts, the Roman ruins at Volubilis are about 240 km (149 miles) away - a long but doable day trip, and March temperatures make exploring the exposed archaeological site comfortable. The drive through the Moroccan countryside in March shows everything green from winter rains, which is a different landscape than the brown summer version most tourists see.
March Events & Festivals
Mawazine Music Festival Planning Period
While the actual Mawazine Festival happens in late May or June, March is when the lineup gets announced and tickets go on sale. This matters because accommodation prices spike during the festival, and if you're planning to visit Rabat in late spring, you need to know whether you're hitting festival dates. The festival brings international acts to Rabat's various venues, and locals start getting excited about it in March. Worth checking the official announcements if your travel dates are flexible.
Spring Equinox and Orange Blossom Season
Not an official event, but locals time their garden visits and picnics around the orange blossom peak in mid to late March. The Chellah ruins, Andalusian Gardens, and residential neighborhoods with citrus trees become genuinely fragrant for about two weeks. You'll see Moroccan families doing weekend outings specifically to enjoy this brief window. If you're visiting in the second half of March, this is worth timing your garden visits around - ask locals which spots are blooming best that particular week.