Spectacularly sited on the vast blue Atlantic, this city of 620,000 may be the official capital of Morocco, but it’s so laid back and unassuming that many visitors tend to pass it by for the higher-profile likes of Marrakesh, Fez, Tangier, and Casablanca. But that’s a pity, for Rabat is an undersung gem with handsome architecture, rich history, and cosmopolitan offerings. Founded as a fortress (the name, in fact, means “fortified place”) by one of the Almohad dynasty caliphs in the 12th century, Rabat was invigorated in the 17th century by... keep reading