Mawazine 2027: things to do nearby between sets

18 to 26 June 2027 · ExpectedRabat, MoroccoOne of the biggest music festivals in the world by attendance

At Mawazine the music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free. This guide covers the town around the site: boat trips, a real meal, a shower and a day out from Rabat.

Tours in Rabat Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Many stages are free; the main OLM Souissi stage has paid seating near the front.

Airport to OLM Souissi and stages across Rabat

Rabat-Salé (RBA) is 10 km from the centre, about 20 minutes and 100 to 150 dirhams by taxi. Many visitors fly into Casablanca (CMN) and take the train: airport to Casa Voyageurs, then 55 minutes to Rabat Ville.

Stages are spread across Rabat and Salé; taxis and trams.

Public transport directions to OLM Souissi and stages across Rabat

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Medina and Rabat Ville station area	Riads and simple hotels inside the walls, walking distance to the kasbah and trains.
Mid-range	Hassan and Agdal	Modern hotels on the tram line with cafés and easy access to the stadium district.
Splurge	Souissi and the river	Palace hotels with big gardens, quiet and close to the royal golf course.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Riad Kalaa
Mid-range: Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses
Splurge: The Ritz-Carlton Rabat

Links search the nights from 17 June to 27 June. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival weekend schedule for 18 to 26 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Before the gates open

Friday 18 June

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.

Easy outingMoroccan cooking class in a riad Half day · Food · Indoor
Cook a three-course Moroccan lunch.
FreeWalk the Kasbah of the Udayas and sit in the Andalusian garden.

A day off-site

Saturday 19 June

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.

Half-dayBou Regreg boat crossing and Salé medina Half day · Low walking
Row across the river to the quieter medina of Salé.
EatRue des Consuls stalls Snacks while shopping for carpets and leather

Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.

Rain or heat backupHammam experience Half day · Indoor · Low walking
Steam, scrub and massage.
EatDar Naji Classic Moroccan dishes in the medina

Recovery day

Sunday 27 June

Slow outings only.

Easy outingEvening food walk in the medina Evening · Food · Nightlife
Street snacks and tea in the medina lanes.
EatLe Dhow A wooden boat restaurant on the river below the kasbah

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Surf lesson at Rabat beach

Beginner breaks right below the kasbah.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Low walking

Rabat imperial city tour

Hassan Tower, the Mohammed V mausoleum, Chellah ruins and the Kasbah of the Udayas.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Kasbah of the Udayas walking tour

Blue lanes, the Andalusian garden and ocean views.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Day trip to Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss

Roman mosaics, a holy town and an imperial capital.

See times and prices

Rabat zoo (Jardin zoologique national) has Barbary lions.
Beach time at Plage de Rabat or the calmer Temara beaches.
Nouzhat Hassan and Jardin d'Essais botanical gardens for picnics.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Evening food walk in the medina

Street snacks and tea in the medina lanes.

See times and prices

Full day

Day trip to Chefchaouen

The blue city in the Rif mountains, a long but famous day.

See times and prices

Full day

Day trip to Fez

The great medina of Fez el-Bali by train or car.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Day trip to Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss

Roman mosaics, a holy town and an imperial capital.

See times and prices

After dark

Evening walk along the corniche below the kasbah.
Agdal cafés and lounges on Avenue de France.

Ten tours worth booking for Mawazine

Tour	Length	Good for
Moroccan cooking class in a riad	Half day	Food lovers, Bad weather
Bou Regreg boat crossing and Salé medina	Half day	Tired legs
Surf lesson at Rabat beach	Half day	Families
Hammam experience	Half day	Bad weather, Tired legs
Rabat imperial city tour	Half day	Families, Tired legs
Kasbah of the Udayas walking tour	Half day	Families
Day trip to Chefchaouen	Full day	Everyone
Day trip to Fez	Full day	Everyone
Day trip to Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss	Full day	Families
Evening food walk in the medina	Evening	Food lovers, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Dar Naji Classic Moroccan dishes in the medina
Le Dhow A wooden boat restaurant on the river below the kasbah
Café Maure Mint tea and pastries in the Andalusian garden
Dinarjat Traditional dinner in a restored medina house
Paul Rabat Easy breakfasts and pastries in a villa garden
Rue des Consuls stalls Snacks while shopping for carpets and leather

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Food · Indoor

Moroccan cooking class in a riad

Cook a three-course Moroccan lunch.

See times and prices

Half day · Indoor · Low walking

Hammam experience

Steam, scrub and massage.

See times and prices

Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
Museum of History and Civilisations.
Arribat Center and Rabat Marina shops.

Getting around on event days

Rabat-Salé tram lines link the centre, Agdal, the university area and Salé for about 6 dirhams.
Petit taxis run inside each city on the meter: ask the driver to switch it on, or agree the fare before you get in. Grand taxis are shared and run fixed routes between towns.
Careem and inDrive work in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir. Expect to pay in cash in dirhams in most places.
Al Boraq high-speed trains link Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca. Classic ONCF trains continue to Marrakech and Fez. Book on the ONCF app; first class is cheap and worth it on busy days.
Fridays around midday prayers and the evenings during Ramadan change opening hours and traffic.

Day trips from Rabat

Casablanca: 55 minutes by train
Fez: about 2.5 hours by train
Chefchaouen: about 4 hours by car

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Mawazine.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Mawazine 2027?

The next edition is 18 to 26 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to OLM Souissi and stages across Rabat?

Where should I stay for Mawazine?

For most visitors the best base is Hassan and Agdal: Modern hotels on the tram line with cafés and easy access to the stadium district.

What else can we do around Mawazine?

Good short outings in Rabat include Rabat imperial city tour, Kasbah of the Udayas walking tour, Moroccan cooking class in a riad. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Mawazine?

Family-friendly picks: Rabat imperial city tour, Kasbah of the Udayas walking tour, Day trip to Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss. Rabat zoo (Jardin zoologique national) has Barbary lions.

How far is OLM Souissi and stages across Rabat from Rabat centre?

About 4 km in a straight line. Stages are spread across Rabat and Salé; taxis and trams.

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