The museums in Rabat offer a choice between modern and contemporary art and a collection tracing Morocco’s archaeological history. The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations are both in central Rabat, with distinct collections and a shared tram stop.
- Art: The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is at 2 Avenue Moulay Hassan.
- Archaeology: The Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations is at 23, rue El Brihi, Hassan.
- Archaeology admission: 20 DH for adults, 10 DH from age 12, and 5 DH for children under 12.
- Tram: Mohammed V Gare de Rabat serves both museums.
Which Rabat museum fits your interests?
The Mohammed VI Museum suits a visit focused on Moroccan art, while the Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations presents archaeological material from prehistory through the Islamic period. Choose based on the kind of collection you want to spend time with; both are served by the same tram station.
The archaeological museum was formerly known as Rabat’s national archaeological museum. Its current name, Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations, reflects a wider historical scope than the former name suggests.
Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art presents Moroccan art from the 20th and 21st centuries. Visit Rabat describes it as Morocco’s first public museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art; it was inaugurated in 2014.
The collection includes more than 400 works by Moroccan artists, across painting, sculpture, photography and installation. Temporary exhibitions are also part of the museum’s programme, so the display can extend beyond the collection.
For a closer look at its collection and setting, read the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art guide.
Rabat Archaeological Museum
The Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations follows Moroccan archaeology from prehistory through the Islamic period, with a chronological display that includes Punic and Roman periods. Roman sculptures and bronzes are among its collection highlights, including works associated with Juba II, General Cato and ephebes from ancient sites such as Volubilis.
The archaeological collection’s history began with excavations launched in 1915 at the initiative of General Lyautey. The building’s core was constructed in the 1920s to house the Protectorate’s Antiquities Service; after renovation, the museum reopened in April 2017 under its present name.
Hours, tickets and exhibitions to verify
Visit Rabat gives the Mohammed VI Museum’s hours as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a Tuesday closure. The Fondation Nationale des Musées gives the Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations hours of 10h to 18h and a Tuesday closure, but its page also says Monday to Sunday, leaving Monday’s status unclear.
Check the official site before you go, especially for current opening details and temporary exhibitions. The tram operator’s tourism page identifies Mohammed V Gare de Rabat as the station serving each museum.
Planning a museum visit from Agdal
From Agdal, you can make either museum the focus of a central-Rabat outing. If you’re arranging a fuller day, this one-day Rabat route from Agdal gives the museum visit a wider city context.
If you plan to visit both museums, note that they share a tram stop, Mohammed V Gare de Rabat. Opening days can affect your plans, particularly if you want to visit both museums on the same day.
The Mohammed VI Museum is about a 29-minute walk from Smarts Agdal, a three-star hotel.
FAQs
What is the Rabat archaeological museum called now?
It is now called the Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations. The name replaces its former identity as Rabat’s national archaeological museum.
What can you see at the Mohammed VI Museum?
Its collection spans painting, sculpture, photography and installation. Temporary exhibitions are also held there.
How much does the Musée de l’Histoire et des Civilisations cost?
Admission is 20 DH for adults, 10 DH from age 12, and 5 DH for children under 12. Confirm details with the museum before your visit.