Marina Village is a palm-lined waterfront esplanade where luxury yachts are moored. Dine al fresco in one of the fine restaurants with views to the southern Whitsunday Islands or enjoy water-based activities such as snorkelling, fishing, jet skiing and parasailing. Next door is Harbour Beach and the Pine Islet Lighthouse — the only working kerosene-lit lighthouse in the world.

You will be surprised by the straight layout of the city's historical heart in sharp contrast to the usual maze of streets. A walk through Rabat's medina could look like this: start your visit at the Bab El Had gate and take Souika Street, the largest and probably busiest street in the medina. You will arrive in the Es Sabat souk, the shoe market, covered with reed mats and overflowing with babouches (leather slippers) as well as silver and gold jewellery. You then come to the partially glass-roofed Rue des Consuls where craftsmen make woollen carpets, fabrics and copperware. The medina also offers low-priced and local food, so do not hesitate to try mint tea, pastillas or tagine.

This large indoor market is a profusion of high-quality, fresh, local produce. Best known for its seafood, the market also stocks artisan foods, meats, cheese, fruit and veg. An authentic establishment, this market is devoid of tourist shops and closes from 2 pm to 5 pm for siesta each day.