Dar al-Makhzen — the Royal Palace of Rabat — is the primary residence of King Mohammed VI and the administrative seat of the Makhzen, Morocco's royal court. The current building was rebuilt in the early 19th century by sultan Moulay Abd al-Rahman and significantly extended through the 20th century, but the role of the site as Morocco's seat of royal authority is much older. The palace itself is closed to all visitors and the interior is off-limits, but the Mechouar — the vast walled parade ground in front — is open during daylight hours and is where most photographs are taken.

Enter through the tall pointed arch off Avenue Yacoub al-Mansour. The Mechouar opens into a rectangular plaza of polished stone with the palace set back behind a low perimeter wall and a sequence of ornate ceremonial gates; the most photographed is Bab Soufara, with its green-tiled crown and pink-sandstone framing. Royal Guards in red capes stand at the gates. The Ahl Fas Mosque sits inside the same compound (non-Muslims cannot enter), as does the Royal College and the royal guesthouses; you can see them across the parade ground from the public side.

Photography is allowed from across the Mechouar and of the exterior gates. Do not photograph individual Royal Guards up close without a polite acknowledgement first, and step back when they gesture you to. The most striking time to come is during the king's weekly Friday prayer procession from palace to mosque, which still uses the Mechouar as its ceremonial space; if you happen to catch it, the moment is genuinely ceremonial rather than recreated for tourists. Mid-morning on a weekday is the easier visit — quiet parade-ground atmosphere, good light on the white palace facade.