An imperial cities tour follows the four royal capitals of Morocco – Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech – each one built by a different dynasty and each with its own palaces, gates and medinas. Add the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the blue town of Chefchaouen and you have the richest history route in North Africa.
Highlights of the imperial cities tour
- Rabat: the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and the royal mausoleum.
- Meknes: the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the royal granaries of Moulay Ismail.
- Volubilis: mosaics and columns of a Roman city in the middle of olive groves.
- Fes: the medieval medina of Fes el Bali, its tanneries and madrasas.
- Marrakech: the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the square of Jemaa el-Fna.
Suggested 8-day imperial cities tour
- Day 1: arrival in Casablanca, visit of the Hassan II Mosque and drive to Rabat.
- Day 2: Rabat sightseeing, then Meknes and Volubilis on the way to Fes.
- Day 3: full guided day in the medina of Fes.
- Day 4: day trip to Chefchaouen, the blue town of the Rif mountains.
- Days 5–6: Fes to the Sahara for a night in the Merzouga dunes, then the Todra Gorge.
- Days 7–8: Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech, with a guided visit of the palaces and souks.
Prefer cities only? We can replace the desert days with more time in Fes, Rabat and Marrakech. An imperial cities tour is easy to adapt to the pace you like, and we can add cooking classes, a hammam or a night in a historic riad in each city.
Good to know
Licensed local guides make a real difference in Fes and Marrakech – we include them on request. Most travellers combine the imperial cities tour with one or two nights in the Sahara. Several sites on the route are on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
What the Imperial Cities Tour offer includes
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver for the whole trip
- Pick-up and drop-off at your airport, riad or hotel
- Accommodation with breakfast in hand-picked riads, hotels and camps
- Dinner and breakfast in the desert camp, camel ride in the dunes
- Fuel, tolls, parking and the driver’s costs
- Support from our team on WhatsApp every day
Not included
- International flights
- Lunches and drinks
- Entrance fees and local guides (on request)
- Optional activities
- Tips
Imperial Cities Tour: frequently asked questions
How many days does an imperial cities tour need?
Seven days is the minimum to see Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech with Volubilis. Ten days let you add Chefchaouen and a night in the Sahara.
Do we need guides in every city?
We recommend licensed local guides in Fes and Marrakech, where the medinas are large and full of history. In Rabat and Meknes your driver can point out the main sights.
Can the imperial cities tour start in Casablanca?
Yes. Most routes start at Casablanca airport and finish in Marrakech, which is perfect for long-haul flights.
