The cheap African capital with quick UK flights and quiet beaches named top holiday destination for 2026
FOR quiet medinas, pretty beaches and winter highs of 20C, this African capital is set to be a popular spot next year.
National Geographic named the destination one of its best place to visit in 2026 – and luckily for Brits, it’s just three hours away from the UK.
The publication added the capital of Morocco to its must-visit spots for next year, calling it the country’s “relaxed Atlantic-coast capital”.
The city is much lesser-known than the likes of Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir and Essaouira.
But it still has all the charm of the other spots, just much quieter, so you can stroll around the traditional medina souks without it being so busy.
When it comes to the top things to do, one is visiting Kasbah des Oudaias – a fortress looking over the Atlantic Ocean and Bouregreg River.
When you visit, you’ll find winding blue-and-white painted streets, the historic Kasbah Mosque, and the Oudaias Museum, which is inside a former royal pavilion.
There’s also the Hassan Tower, which dates back to the 12th century and is a symbol of the city.
It’s not all history, there’s modern architecture too, like the Mohammed VI Tower, which is a 250-meter-tall skyscraper in Salé, Morocco, near Rabat, and opened in 2023.
It is the tallest building in Morocco and the third tallest in Africa.
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As for affordability, you’ll be happy in Rabat, overnight stays can start from as little as £17 per person.
Food and drink is affordable too, with an inexpensive meal costing £3.26 and dinners at a mid-range restaurant starting from around £16 per person.
Draft beers cost roughly £3.25, with soft drinks like orange juice coming in at 80p.
One writer visited Rabat who said: “Walking through the monumental kasbah gate, called Bab Oudaia, is like stepping back in time.
“Rather than maze-like alleyways, there is a tranquil labyrinth of wide lanes, with white houses and blue, grated windows that are lit up by pretty vines of purple and pink flowers.”
She added: “Pick up a strong black coffee — Turkish style, I’m told — and an almond pastry at the cooling Udayas botanical gardens is the perfect fuel before a venture into the National Finery Museum.
“Extravagant bejewelled crowns, breast chains, rings and belts once worn by young women, perhaps on their wedding day, sit on faceless models.”
In fact if you want to visit Rabat this month, you can get flights for as little as £17 with Ryanair who fly directly.
From the UK, you can be in the city in three hours and 20 minutes.
Head of Sun Travel Lisa Minot visited another destination in Morocco…
Lisa Minot, Head of Sun Travel, filled us in on her recent trip to Marrakesh. She said: “I’ve just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Marrakech and the city is as exciting as ever.
“We were sunbathing on the roof of our riad in the Medina in glorious 22 degree temperatures – and I loved the amazing desert landscapes just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
“Tourism is booming in the city and while the streets are as colourful and chaotic as ever, the influx of visitors has brought some gorgeous new bars, restaurants and stunning hotels.”
She added: “It pays to do your research and book restaurants and tours in advance though as even in February and the start of Ramadan, the souks were teeming and lots of places were fully booked.
“We did a three-hour food tour of the Medina with Get Your Guide and while stuffing ourselves on some fantastic street food I probably would never have had the courage to try on my own, our guide revealed the secrets of the city and its fascinating past.”
For more holidays, check out these five lesser-visited coastal resorts that are crowd-free alternatives for 2026… with VERY cheap hotels and flights.
Plus, the peaceful African city right by the sea that feels ‘more like Europe’ – but tourists always miss it.
