Rabat is officially the World Book Capital. Here’s what to see and do

Rabat, one of Morocco’s most vibrant and underrated cities, has officially become the UNESCO World Book Capital for 2026, taking over the title from Rio de Janeiro.

Starting on 23 April 2026, this will be a one-year, city-wide celebration of literacy and literature. The programme will focus on fighting illiteracy in underserved communities, encouraging women and children to read and bolstering the local publishing industry.

Improving book access by embedding reading into everyday life and spaces like parks and cafes is another goal.

Rabat was mainly chosen for its thriving literary scene, as a cultural crossroads, with the city hosting one of Africa’s largest book fairs– the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL).

Visiting Rabat this year? Here’s what book lovers can see and do in the North African city.

Go to the International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL)

This iconic book fair will be held from 30 April to 10 May this year and is the biggest book fair in Morocco. Revel in the electric atmosphere, with thousands of visitors and more than 700 exhibitors from around 50 countries.

This year’s book fair is even more special as it coincides with the World Book Capital designation. France will be the guest of honour at SIEL in 2026, featuring Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux, with the fair aiming to strengthen partnerships between French and Moroccan writers, publishers and translators.

It will also celebrate Ibn Battuta and the Moroccan diaspora. Enjoy a range of seminars, panels and poetry readings, along with podcasts and discussions about Arabic children’s literature.

Wander through the Medina’s bookstalls

Looking for your latest read while exploring a more authentic side of Rabat? Explore the old city’s Medina and Rue des Consuls for a variety of traditional bookshops, Arabic calligraphy shops and antique stalls.

Don’t forget to find Mohammed Aziz’s legendary shop for a taste of a “living library”. Aziz is one of the oldest established booksellers in Rabat, with a stall full of thousands of secondhand books.

Bonus? He’s also read more than 4,000 of these in Arabic, English, French and Spanish, so don’t be shy to ask for recommendations!

You’re very likely to find a rare, forgotten gem here, or meet other like-minded tourists, students and locals.

Head to the Museum Mohammed VI of Modern Art

Literature seekers can visit this famous museum for more Moroccan and African works and art.

The museum acts as a visual “storyboard” of 20th-century Moroccan history, allowing visitors to learn more about the country’s deep and intricate history through art and thoughtful narratives.

This includes a visual narrative from colonial-era realism to modern abstraction and contemporary social commentary.

For those interested in Moroccan cultural studies, it also has exhibitions exploring ideas of identity, modernity and transition, along with quiet study spaces and plenty of paintings and photography.

There’s also a book and gift store with specialised literature about the museum’s collections and modern art.

Lose yourself in the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco

The National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco holds over 1,000 years of Moroccan, Arabic and Islamic heritage through more than 200,000 titles and around 80,000 rare documents and manuscripts.

This includes rare books, photographs and maps, spanning across intellectual, legal and religious history.

However, it’s not all old – readers can also enjoy extensive digital archives, as well as advanced accessibility for the visually impaired and a 300-seat auditorium for both research and cultural events.

More than half of the library’s contents are already digitised, as part of the “Digital 2030” strategy to make heritage more accessible across Morocco.

There’s a bookstore, cafeteria and prayer room too – so you’re all set to spend the whole day here.

Read in a cultural cafe

Want something more relaxed and outdoorsy? Enjoy a stroll through the peaceful Andalusian Gardens of the Kasbah des Oudayas and read in one of the cultural cafes there.

The most famous one is the Cafe des Oudayas, formerly known as Cafe Maure, thanks to its stunning views over the Bou Regreg River. It has an authentic, historic vibe, with Zellige-tiled benches and calm, shady spaces.

Sit back with a pot of traditional Moroccan mint tea, some fresh orange juice and pastries like cornes de gazelle (crescent-shaped pastries filled with orange blossom-scented almond paste) and immerse yourself in a new favourite book.

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