Imperial Cities of Morocco

Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech, capitals of Morocco's successive dynasties, where labyrinthine medinas, palaces and mosques hold the best of Moroccan culture.

Morocco's Imperial Cities are the four cities that have served as capitals of the country's dynasties: Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech. The old quarters of all four are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and they are often combined with Chefchaouen in the north and the Sahara route in the south to form a grand Morocco circuit. Highlights: in Fez, Fes el-Bali, one of the world's largest car-free urban areas, with the Chouara Tannery, the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and the Bou Inania Madrasa; in Meknes, Bab Mansour and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, plus the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis; in Rabat, the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas; and in Marrakech, the night market at Jemaa el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden and the Koutoubia Mosque. A classic route: arrive in Casablanca (and see the Hassan II Mosque) → 1 day in Rabat → 1 day for Meknes and Volubilis → 2 days in Fez → 2–3 days in Marrakech, either via the desert route or directly, about 7–10 days in all. ONCF trains run between Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Fez, and the Al Boraq high-speed train links Tangier and Casablanca; from Fez to Marrakech you can take a train (about 7 hours) or fly. The medinas are full of confusing forks, and unsolicited guides will often demand payment, so use an offline map or hire a licensed guide. Entry to mosques is usually limited to Muslims (the Hassan II Mosque is the exception).

Destinations

• Marrakech City
• Fes
• Rabat
• Casablanca

Itineraries

• Classic Imperial Cities & Sahara Loop – Head north from Casablanca to the Blue City and Fes, then cross the desert and gorges to Marrakech.
• Morocco Rail Journey: North to South – Skip the car rental and private drivers; connect Tangier to Marrakech via high-speed and standard trains
• Andalusia to the Sahara Crossing – Cross the sea from Seville via Tarifa, traveling through the Blue City, Fes, and the desert to Marrakech
• Marrakech-Sahara Dunes Round Trip – Cross the Atlas Mountains, pass kasbahs and gorges to the Erg Chebbi dunes, and spend the night in a tented camp.
• Marrakech, the Red City, for First-Timers – Three days covering Jemaa el-Fnaa, the medina souks, the palaces and royal tombs, and the Majorelle Garden.
• Marrakech Medina in Depth and the Atlas – Wander the medina's districts and museums at a leisurely pace, plus a day hiking the High Atlas villages of Imlil.
• Northern Morocco: Tangier, Blue City & Fes – Enter the Rif Mountains from the strait port city, then head south to Roman ruins and the Imperial City of Fes.
• Marrakech City and Day Trips – Use the medina as your base for day trips to Ait Ben Haddou, Essaouira, the Ourika Valley and Agafay.
• Marrakech Gardens and Art – A tour of famous gardens and palace museums, including Majorelle, the Secret Garden, Menara and Anima.
• Road Trip: Red City to the Atlantic Coast – Drive west from Marrakech to Essaouira, then head south along the coast to Taghazout and Taroudant
• Draa Valley & Erg Chigaga 4x4 Adventure – Drive south along the Draa Valley to the end of the road, then take a 4x4 into the remote dunes of Erg Chigaga
• Mount Toubkal Summit Trek – From Marrakech to Imlil, summit North Africa's highest peak (4,167m) in two days, then return to the Red City