Morocco Imperial Cities Tour – 7 Days from Marrakech to Tangier
Discover the royal heart of Morocco in one week with Morocco Friendly Travel. This 7-day private tour takes you from the red city of Marrakech to modern Casablanca, the capital Rabat, the ancient medina of Fes, the Ismaili city of Meknes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and ends in Tangier, the gateway between Africa and Europe. Want to know more about the history of each city first? Read our guide to the imperial cities of Morocco.
What is the Morocco Imperial Cities 7-day tour?
It is a 7-day, 6-night private road trip by Morocco Friendly Travel that visits all four imperial cities of Morocco – Marrakech, Rabat, Fes and Meknes – plus Casablanca, the Roman site of Volubilis and Tangier. It starts in Marrakech and ends in Tangier, covering about 1,000 km with a private vehicle and driver, and licensed local guides for the city tours of Marrakech and Fes.
- Duration7 days / 6 nights
- StartMarrakech (RAK airport)
- EndTangier (port or TNG airport)
- Imperial citiesMarrakech, Rabat, Fes, Meknes
- Local guidesMarrakech & Fes
- Best seasonMarch–May & Sept–Nov
Morocco Imperial Cities Tour 7 Days Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route | Approx. distance / drive | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival in Marrakech | Airport transfer (~20 min) | Marrakech |
| 2 | Marrakech city tour with local guide | City visit | Marrakech |
| 3 | Marrakech → Casablanca | ~240 km / 3 h | Casablanca |
| 4 | Casablanca → Rabat → Fes | ~290 km / 4 h 30 | Fes |
| 5 | Fes city tour with local guide | City visit | Fes |
| 6 | Fes → Meknes → Volubilis → Tangier | ~360 km / 5 h | Tangier |
| 7 | Transfer to Tangier port or airport | 15–60 min | — |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Arrival in Marrakech and Transfer to Your Hotel
📍 Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK) → Marrakech Medina
Welcome to Morocco! Your driver meets you at Marrakech-Menara Airport or the train station and takes you in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to your riad or hotel. After check-in and a glass of traditional mint tea, the rest of the day is free. In the evening, walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa Square to enjoy storytellers, musicians and open-air food stalls under the lights of the Koutoubia minaret.
- Private airport pick-up and assistance
- Free time to relax or explore Jemaa el-Fnaa
Marrakech City Tour with a Local Guide
📍 Marrakech – the Red City, founded in 1070, UNESCO World Heritage medina
After breakfast, meet your licensed local guide for a half-day walking tour of Marrakech. Visit the Koutoubia Mosque and its gardens, the 19th-century Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the historic Mellah (Jewish quarter). Then discover the colourful souks of spices, leather, carpets and lanterns. In the afternoon, your driver can take you to the peaceful Majorelle Garden (entry not included), and you can end the day back at Jemaa el-Fnaa at sunset.
- Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs
- Souks of the medina and Majorelle Garden
Marrakech to Casablanca – Discover Casablanca
📍 Marrakech → Casablanca · approx. 240 km · 3 hours
Drive north across the Haouz plains to Casablanca, Morocco's largest city and economic capital on the Atlantic coast. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, built over the ocean, with one of the tallest minarets in the world. Non-Muslim visitors can join the mosque's official guided tours of the interior (ticket not included). Continue with your driver along the Corniche of Ain Diab, through the Habous quarter (New Medina), Mohammed V Square and the Art Deco buildings of the city centre.
- Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic Ocean
- Ain Diab Corniche, Habous quarter, Art Deco downtown
Casablanca to Fes via Rabat
📍 Casablanca → Rabat (~90 km) → Fes (~200 km) · approx. 4 h 30 driving
Head to Rabat, Morocco's capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Hassan Tower, the unfinished minaret of a 12th-century mosque, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, then walk through the blue-and-white lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the Bou Regreg river and the Atlantic. See the Royal Palace gate (Dar al-Makhzen) from outside. After lunch, continue inland through fertile farmland to Fes, arriving in the late afternoon.
- Hassan Tower and Mohammed V Mausoleum
- Kasbah of the Udayas and Andalusian Gardens
- Royal Palace of Rabat (exterior)
Fes City Tour with a Local Guide
📍 Fes – Morocco's spiritual and cultural capital, founded in the 8th century
Spend the day with a licensed local guide in Fes el-Bali, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and a UNESCO site since 1981. Enter through Bab Boujloud (the Blue Gate), visit the Al-Attarine Madrasa or Bou Inania Madrasa, see the outside of Al-Qarawiyyin – considered the oldest continuously operating university in the world – and watch artisans at work at the famous Chouara Tannery. Learn more about life in Morocco's old towns on the official Visit Morocco medinas page. In the afternoon, enjoy panoramic views from the Merinid Tombs and visit the golden gates of the Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen) and the Jewish quarter.
- Fes el-Bali medina and Bab Boujloud
- Al-Qarawiyyin, madrasas and Chouara Tannery
- Royal Palace gates and Merinid Tombs viewpoint
Fes to Tangier via Meknes and Volubilis
📍 Fes → Meknes (~60 km) → Volubilis (~30 km) → Tangier (~280 km) · approx. 5 hours driving
Drive to Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail (more about Meknes). Admire the monumental Bab Mansour gate, El Hedim Square, the Royal Stables (Heri es-Souani) and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. Continue to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, famous for its triumphal arch, basilica and beautiful mosaic floors. Optional photo stop at the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Then travel north to Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar.
- Bab Mansour and the imperial city of Meknes
- Roman ruins and mosaics of Volubilis
- Arrival in Tangier, overlooking Spain
Transfer to Tangier Port or Airport
📍 Tangier → Tanger Ville Port / Tanger Med Port / Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG)
After breakfast, and depending on your departure time, enjoy a short stop at the Kasbah of Tangier or the Cap Spartel viewpoint, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea. Your driver then takes you to Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, the Tanger Ville port (ferries to Tarifa) or Tanger Med port (ferries to Algeciras and other ports). End of our services.
- Private departure transfer
- Easy ferry connection to Spain
What's Included / Not Included
Included
- Airport / port pick-up and drop-off
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver (general information during the trip)
- Licensed local guide for the Marrakech city tour
- Licensed local guide for the Fes city tour
- 6 nights' accommodation in riads or hotels with breakfast
- Fuel, tolls and parking
Not included
- International flights and ferry tickets
- Lunches and dinners (unless stated)
- Entrance fees to monuments and museums
- Guides in Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis (available on request)
- Drinks, tips and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Where You Will Travel
This route crosses northern and central Morocco, from the foothills of the High Atlas to the Strait of Gibraltar. Five of the places on this tour are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Morocco – see the official UNESCO list for Morocco.
| City | Region | Known for | UNESCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | Marrakech-Safi | Imperial city, Jemaa el-Fnaa, Koutoubia, souks | Medina (1985) |
| Casablanca | Casablanca-Settat | Hassan II Mosque, Atlantic Corniche, Art Deco | — |
| Rabat | Rabat-Salé-Kénitra | Capital of Morocco, Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas | Yes (2012) |
| Fes | Fès-Meknès | Imperial city, Fes el-Bali, Al-Qarawiyyin, tanneries | Medina (1981) |
| Meknes | Fès-Meknès | Imperial city of Moulay Ismail, Bab Mansour | Yes (1996) |
| Volubilis | Fès-Meknès | Roman ruins and mosaics | Yes (1997) |
| Tangier | Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma | Strait of Gibraltar, Kasbah, Cap Spartel, ferries to Spain | — |
Extend Your Trip: Chefchaouen, the Blue City
Add one extra day to visit Chefchaouen, the famous blue-washed town in the Rif Mountains, between Fes and Tangier. It is one of the most popular additions to this tour and makes the drive north even more beautiful.
Travel Tips for Morocco's Imperial Cities
- Best time to go: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) for mild temperatures.
- Guides vs. driver: your guided city tours are in Marrakech and Fes. On driving days your driver gives you general information; if you want an official guide in Rabat, Meknes or Volubilis, just ask when booking.
- What to wear: light, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, and comfortable walking shoes for the medinas.
- Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD). Carry cash for souks and small cafés.
- Mosque visits: the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the main mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours.
- Ending in Tangier: ideal if you continue to Spain by ferry or fly home from Tangier airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the four imperial cities of Morocco?
The four imperial cities of Morocco are Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Rabat. Each served as the capital of the country under different dynasties, and all four are included in this 7-day tour.
Is 7 days enough to see Morocco's imperial cities?
Yes. Seven days is enough to visit all four imperial cities plus Casablanca, Volubilis and Tangier, with full guided days in Marrakech and Fes, the two cities that need the most time.
Is a tour guide included in every city?
Licensed local guides are included for the city tours in Marrakech and Fes. In Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Tangier, your driver gives you general information. Your driver is not an official guide, but extra local guides can be booked on request.
Where does the tour start and end?
The tour starts in Marrakech with a pick-up from the airport, train station or your hotel, and ends in Tangier with a drop-off at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport, Tanger Ville port or Tanger Med port.
Can I take a ferry to Spain at the end of the tour?
Yes. From Tangier, ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Tarifa from Tanger Ville port and to Algeciras from Tanger Med port. We drop you directly at the port.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Yes. This is a private tour, so you can add extra nights, change the starting city, add Chefchaouen, or include a Sahara Desert excursion to Merzouga.
Book Your Morocco Imperial Cities Tour
Tell us your travel dates and group size and the Morocco Friendly Travel team will send you a personalised itinerary and quote.
Related reading: The Imperial Cities of Morocco · Morocco UNESCO World Heritage Sites