Imperial Cities of Morocco

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • Arrival in Marrakesh

  Depart on your scheduled flight to Marrakech. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, arriving in time for your first dinner.

• Day 2 • Marrakesh to Casablanca

  After breakfast, journey north to Morocco's largest city, Casablanca, and uncover this modern metropolis stretching along the Atlantic coastline. On arrival, wander around the League of Arab States Park, a verdant area dotted with palm trees, before continuing to the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church with its exquisite stained-glass windows. Passing the busy shopping area of the Habous Quarter, you will arrive at the esplanade of the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, which boasts the world's tallest minaret.

• Day 3 • Casablanca to Fez

  After breakfast, travel to Rabat for a city tour of Morocco's colourful capital city. Visit the Hassan Tower, a 12th century minaret built from distinctive red sandstone and one of the few parts remaining from the original Hassan Mosque, then explore the nearby mausoleum of Mohammed V with its stunning mahogany domes and intricate gold leaf decorations. Visit the colourful Ouadaya Kasbah, one of Morocco’s most enchanting landmarks, overlooking the Bou Regreg River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site blends Moroccan, Andalusian, and Islamic artistry within its blue-and-white walls: from the grand Bab Oudaya gate to peaceful gardens and ocean views, every corner reveals Morocco’s timeless charm and cultural depths. After exploring the Kasbah and its gardens, take a trip to Rabat’s twin city, Salé, to discover its elegant marina, an idyllic setting from which to enjoy spectacular views of the Tour Hassan (the minaret of an incomplete mosque) while savouring the sea air. Salé’s marina has evolved into a lively, and friendly place to live – enjoy some free time here to explore and eat lunch. Later, continue to Fez.

• Day 4 • Fez

  Brimming with history, numerous civilisations have settled or passed through Fez, leaving a legacy of palaces, mosques, and museums filled with precious treasures. Begin your full-day city tour at the Mechouar (courtyard) of the Royal Palace, where you can admire the imposing brass gates and explore the historic, less crowded Fes el-Jdid Medina. Stop at Baba Boujloud, an amazing blue gate decorated with intricate carvings that serves as a gateway from the old to the new city. The most prized pottery in Morocco comes from Fez: visit a pottery village, where you will discover firsthand the entire process of crafting Moroccan pottery and Zellij tiles, mosaic tiles made from individually hand-chiselled pieces. Your tour continues through the ancient medina, home to the architecturally-rich Andalucian Quarter: traverse some of the 9,000 alleyways of this maze-like district, passing some of the city's oldest and most esteemed mosques and religious schools, including the 1,200-year-old Al Kairouyine University and grandiose El Qaraoyin Mosque. This part of the city is alive with traditional crafts - a visit to a local tannery provides a fascinating insight into the sights and smells of a craft that has remained unchanged for centuries. Enjoy some free time for lunch, sampling local cuisine in Nejjarine Square, where many traditional Moroccan restaurants are located. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

• Day 5 • Volubilis to Meknes

  Travel to the ancient Roman town of Volubilis, the country's best-preserved archaeological site. Formerly one of the capitals of King Juba II of Mauretania, the town’s remains bear witness to the grandeur of his former residences. In the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, Volubilis developed a flourishing trade in oil, corn and wild animals such as lions and panthers. Learn about the paved mosaics in the Houses of Orpheus, Dionysus, Ephebus, and Venus, and the marble Triumphal Arch built in honour of the Emperor Caracalla. See the Basilica of Volubilis, with its four rows of columns and three naves, which once served as a trading centre, law court, and meeting place. Next, travel onward to Meknes. Here, you’ll discover the architectural legacy of Sultan Moulay Ismail: a ruthless tyrant, the Sultan was one of Morocco’s greatest leaders. With a harem of 500 wives, he settled in Meknes, where he brought in slaves to build an imperial city with ingeniously-designed granaries and stables for an incredible 12,000 horses. Pause to admire Bab el-Mansour, the giant imperial gateway built by the Sultan to show the strength of his new capital to Fez and Marrakech. Visit the mausoleum Moulay Ismail, an architectural site highly-regarded by both tourists and Moroccans. The building is several stories high, with a row of windows at the top that allows bright sunlight to filter in: the walls across several levels comprise of exquisite zellij, enamel-painted wood, carved plaster, arches, and marble columns. Explore the area with some time at leisure and take a break for lunch before returning to your hotel in Fez.

• Day 6 • Fez to Marrakesh

  After breakfast, begin your journey back to Marrakech, this time taking major roads to ensure a smooth and comfortable drive. On arrival in Marrakech in the late afternoon, check in for a two-night stay at your hotel, with time at leisure to relax in your room or explore the city at your own pace before dinner.

• Day 7 • Marrakesh & free afternoon

  Your final day of touring takes you to the Bahia Palace, a stunning testament to Morocco’s rich cultural history and architectural intricacy. Visit the Saadian Tombs, re-discovered in 1917, which contains the remains of 66 princes of the Saadian dynasty, then on to Dar El Basha Quarter to admire its traditional Moroccan cafes and restaurants. Peruse the basketwork, dried fruits, spices, and fabrics of the Kessabine and Smarine souks and explore the ancient former slave market of Rahba Kedima Square, where locals arrive in droves to buy age-old herbal remedies as well as bizarre ingredients for traditional magic spells, ranging from tree bark to live chameleons. In the evening, visit the world-famous Djemaa El Fnaa Square to witness the vast esplanade transform from a lively market to an immense nighttime display of dancing, music, snake-charming, and fortune-telling. Enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant as your tour draws to a close.

• Day 8 • Return Home

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK or continue on to your chosen extension.