Imperial Cities Tour in 8 Days
The four imperial cities of Morocco are designated as capitals throughout the ages by different monarchs from the Maghreb dynasties: Idrisids, Almoravids, Almohads, Merinids, Saadians, and Alawites. These cities are Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat, which is the current administrative capital of the kingdom. Casablanca, the economic capital, remains a city of passage.
Day 1: Med V Airport / Casablanca
Arrival at Casablanca's Mohamed V Airport, welcome and transfer to the hotel. Check-in. In the evening, dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Casablanca / Rabat / Meknes / Fez
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a visit to the economic capital of the kingdom: the Hassan II Mosque from the outside (guided tour of the interior is subject to a fee), the residential district of Anfa, the United Nations Square, the Houbous district, and the Ain Diab corniche. Then, departure to Rabat for a visit to the administrative capital of the kingdom: the Mechouar, the Royal Palace from the outside, the Mohamed V Mausoleum, and the Hassan Tower. Lunch on your own at a restaurant on the Rabat corniche. Then, departure to Meknes and a visit to the Ismaili capital - Meknes -: Bab Mansour, Lhdim Square, the Souani Basin, the royal stables, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail (interior tour subject to a fee), founder of the city. Then, head to Fez upon arrival. Check into your rooms. In the evening, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Fez
Breakfast, full day dedicated to visiting the spiritual capital of the kingdom, Fez: the medieval city with its Bounania and Attarine Medersas (entrance fee), and its fountains. Lunch on your own in restaurants in the Medina of Fez. Continue your visit: the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, founder of the city, the souks of the old medina with its 11,000 alleys, the Karaouiyine University Mosque (entrance fee), artisans, potters, traditional tailors, etc. Late afternoon, return to the hotel. In the evening, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Fez / Beni Mellal / Marrakech
Breakfast, departure for Marrakech via the Berber village of Immouzer in the Kandar of Ifrane, Azrou, and Khenifra. Lunch on your own in Beni Mellal. Continue to Marrakech. Check into your rooms. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Marrakech
Breakfast, half a day will be spent visiting the red city: the Menara Gardens, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs (entrance fee), the Bahia Palace (entrance fee), and the Dar Si Said Museum (entrance fee). Visit the souks and the famous Djemaa El Fna Square. Return to the hotel around 1:00 p.m. Half a day free. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Marrakech
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day and lunch in Marrakech. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Marrakech / Casablanca
Breakfast, departure for Casablanca. Check-in at the hotel. Lunch and half a day free in Casablanca. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Casablanca / Med V Airport
Breakfast, then transfer to Casablanca Mohamed V Airport for your return flight at your own schedule.