7-Day Imperial Cities of Morocco Tour

A tour of Morocco's imperial cities lets you understand the country through its cities: the medinas, the crafts, the neighbourhood food and the architecture of the historic capitals. This cultural journey through Morocco covers, over seven days in a private format, the cities featured in the current itinerary: it starts in Casablanca and continues through Rabat, Meknes, the Roman site of Volubilis, Fez, a night in Chaouen (Chefchaouen) and ends in Marrakech. The Sahara is left out of the route entirely.

The country's four historic capitals — Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat — are just a few hours apart, in the north and centre. Drives are short by Moroccan standards, usually two to four hours, leaving most of each day for walking through the medinas and visiting the sites.

The itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed template: the order of the stages, the nights spent in each city and the visits are adjusted according to the option chosen and the itinerary confirmed for your dates.

First-time visitors to Morocco who prefer architecture, food and city life to the dunes, and anyone who'd rather avoid long transfers.

• Volubilis, Morocco's best-preserved Roman site, with mosaics still in place
• The monumental gates and granaries of Meknes
• Two nights in Fez, enough to explore the medina at an easy pace
• The blue-painted lanes of Chaouen, in the Rif
• Marrakech at the end of the trip, with time for the medina and the gardens

1. Day 1 — Casablanca → Rabat

   Pick-up at the agreed point in Casablanca and departure towards the Atlantic coast. In Rabat, the country's administrative capital, visit the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Kasbah of the Udayas, a walled quarter overlooking the mouth of the Bou Regreg river. Overnight in Rabat.

2. Day 2 — Rabat → Meknes → Volubilis → Fez

   Meknes in the morning, with its monumental gates and the royal granaries and stables of Heri es-Souani. In the early afternoon, Volubilis: Morocco's best-preserved Roman city, with mosaics still in place. Arrival in Fez towards the end of the day, with the total drive split into short stages.

3. Day 3 — Fez

   A day dedicated to exploring Fez el Bali, its tanneries, madrasas, souks and main sights. The medina is a maze of thousands of alleyways and is best taken at a slow pace. If you'd like a local guide, let us know when planning the trip.

4. Day 4 — Fez → Chaouen

   North across the Rif mountains to Chaouen (Chefchaouen), a mountain town with a blue-painted medina. Free afternoon to wander the old town, Uta el-Hammam square and the lanes leading up to the viewpoints.

5. Day 5 — Chaouen → Fez or Rabat corridor

   A morning with time in Chaouen before heading back south, with stops along the way to suit the group's pace. The overnight point depends on the version of the itinerary planned for your dates.

6. Day 6 — Transfer to Marrakech

   A road transfer day heading west and then south to Marrakech, in the circuit's private vehicle with driver. This is the longest stage of the trip and is organised with stops to rest and eat.

7. Day 7 — Marrakech

   Time to explore the medina and Marrakech's main sights — Jemaa el-Fna square, the souks and the area around the Koutoubia — followed by the agreed transfer at the end of the circuit.

Active — Little driving, but several hours of walking each day over the uneven paving of the medinas.

Pleasant for most of the year. July and August are hot in Marrakech and Fez; the north stays milder.

Accommodation and meal plan according to the option and itinerary confirmed in your quote.

Private vehicle with driver. The vehicle type is confirmed when preparing your quote.

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Modest clothing for religious sites
• Sun protection
• A light rain layer in winter