Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean between Rabat and Casablanca, Skhirat is a breezy seaside town renowned for its beaches. It’s home to one of the summer palaces of the Moroccan Royal Family, as well as the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI International Conference Center.
Things to do in Skhirat
Dominating the coastline is Skhirat Plage, a long stretch of golden sand that ignites with locals in the summer months. In addition to swimming, you can rent a surfboard to ride the gentle waves or watch all the comings and goings from one of the waterfront cafes. Just a stone’s throw from the beach is the rocky Île de Skhirat, which is a popular fishing spot.
Travelling with kids? Be sure to spend a day at Playland Skhirat, which is home to a giant maze, an indoor cave and a rope obstacle course. You can challenge your family and friends to a game of paintball or step inside an inflatable bubble for a soccer match like no other. The complex also boasts a swimming pool and a restaurant serving Moroccan and international dishes.
Skhirat makes a good base for exploring the Moroccan capital, Rabat, a modern city with French colonial buildings juxtaposed against an Amazigh royal fort. Wander the narrow laneways of the 11th-century Kasbah district, which is home to an Almohad-built mosque and the peaceful Andalusian Gardens. Don’t miss the 45-metre-high Hassan Tower and the elaborately decorated Mausoleum of King Mohammed V.
Getting around Skhirat
Skhirat is around 30 minutes’ drive from Rabat and 45 minutes from Rabat-Salé Airport, which has flights to destinations across Morocco and Europe. Inter-city trains connect to the Skhirat railway station while buses travel throughout the town. Grand-taxi and petit-taxi are readily available for getting around.