Fes · Meknes · Rabat · Marrakech
Imperial cities tours of Morocco
An imperial cities tour of Morocco links the country’s four historic capitals: Fes, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech. Most routes add the Roman ruins of Volubilis and, in the north, Chefchaouen. Here’s what the imperial cities are, our private tours that cover them and how many days you need.
The four imperial cities of Morocco
They are the four cities that served as Morocco’s capital under different dynasties:
- Fes. The oldest of the four. Its medina, Fes el-Bali, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981: craft souks, madrasas and the blue Bab Bou Jeloud gate.
- Meknes. The capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the royal stables. World Heritage since 1996. Close by are Volubilis, with its Roman mosaics (World Heritage since 1997), and Moulay Idriss, a holy town on the hillside.
- Rabat. Today’s capital: the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Kasbah of the Udayas above the sea. Its historic and modern city were listed in 2012.
- Marrakech. Jemaa el-Fna square, the Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs. Its medina has been World Heritage since 1985.
You may see “five imperial cities” in some itineraries. The usual list is these four historic capitals; when a fifth appears, it’s normally another city that particular tour adds to the route.
Our imperial cities tours
All private, in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver. The Casablanca tours start at the Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic; the Tangier tour suits travellers arriving by ferry from Spain.
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Other routes through the imperial cities
If Rabat isn’t a must for you, the 10-day tour from Tangier and the 10-day tour from Marrakech cover Meknes, Volubilis, Fes and Marrakech, plus Chefchaouen and the desert. Short on time? From Fes there’s a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis, and from Casablanca one to Rabat.
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Tangier · Chefchaouen · Fes · Merzouga · Dades Valley · Ait Ben Haddou · Marrakech
10-day private Morocco tour from Tangier
From Tangier to Marrakech at an easy pace: time in Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech and two nights in the Sahara.
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Marrakech · Essaouira · Merzouga · Fes · Chefchaouen · Tangier
10-day private Morocco tour from Marrakech
Morocco from south to north: Marrakech, Essaouira, the desert, Fes, Chefchaouen and Tangier.
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Fes · Meknes · Volubilis · Fes
Day trip to Meknes and Volubilis from Fes
The imperial city of Moulay Ismail and the Roman town of Volubilis, in one day from Fes.
See the day trip
How many days do you need for the imperial cities?
- 5 or 6 days: the essentials. Tangier to Casablanca covers Meknes, Fes and Rabat with the north; the 6-day tour from Casablanca reaches Marrakech via the desert, with long driving days.
- 7 or 8 days: a calmer pace and a night in the desert. The 7-day tour from Fes includes a guided visit of Marrakech; the 8-day tour from Casablanca spends a full day in Fes with a guide and ends in Marrakech.
- 10 to 14 days: guided visits in Fes and Marrakech, two nights in the Sahara and time for Chefchaouen or Essaouira: 10, 12 or 14 days from Casablanca.
More options among our 10-day tours and 7-day tours.
Imperial cities and the Sahara
Almost all these tours cross the Middle Atlas from Fes to Merzouga for a night in the dunes, then continue through the Todra Gorge, the Dades Valley and Ait Ben Haddou (World Heritage since 1987) to Marrakech. Medinas and desert on the same trip.
For more time in the dunes, Merzouga 4x4 runs 4x4, quad and camel trips; to sleep in a tent with a private bathroom, ask for Tassili Luxury Desert Camp.
Best time for an imperial cities tour
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the medinas. Summer is hot in Fes and Marrakech, especially at midday; winter days are usually pleasant but nights are cold, even more so in the Atlas and the desert. Month by month in our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
Before you book
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question?Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll answer you in your language.
WhatsAppWhat are the four imperial cities of Morocco?
Fes, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech: the four cities that served as Morocco’s capital under different dynasties. Rabat is the capital today.
Why are they called imperial cities?
Because each was the seat of power of a ruling dynasty at some point in Morocco’s history, and each kept the palaces, gates and walls that came with that role.
How many days does an imperial cities tour take?
Five or six days covers the essentials; seven to ten days lets you add the desert and guided visits without rushing. See the table above to compare routes.
Is Chefchaouen an imperial city?
No. It’s a mountain town in the Rif, a few hours from Fes, but most imperial cities tours include it. Read more in our Chefchaouen guide.
Are the city visits guided?
Yes: city visits are led by local guides. Each tour’s itinerary shows which visits it includes.
If your trip goes to the desert
The dunes of Merzouga
We are the same team as Merzouga 4x4 and Tassili Luxury Desert Camp. If your trip goes through Merzouga and you want more time in the dunes, here are their two websites.
We speak your language
Shall we help you plan your trip?
Tell us your dates, how many of you are travelling and where you’d like to start. We’ll send you a route and a price on WhatsApp.
- Your dates
- How many of you
- Where you start
or call +212 661 614 125 · info@moroccotrips.net