Five days through Morocco's imperial north: the great medina of Fes, Roman Volubilis, the gates of Meknes, and the calm capital of Rabat with its kasbah, Hassan Tower and Chellah.
Day by day
Your 5-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Fes el-Bali medina
Arrive in Fes and dive into the medieval medina: Bab Bou Jeloud, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine medersas, the Kairaouine university, the Nejjarine fountain and the Chouara tanneries, with a Merinid Tombs sunset to orient yourself over the old city.
- Bou Inania Medersa
- Chouara tanneries
- Kairaouine University
- Merinid Tombs sunset
- 2
Day 2
Fes crafts & Andalusian quarter
A second, slower Fes day: pottery and zellige cooperatives in Aïn Nokbi, the Andalusian quarter and its mosque, the Mellah and Ibn Danan synagogue, and the Jnan Sbil gardens.
- Pottery & zellige cooperatives
- Andalusian quarter
- Mellah
- Jnan Sbil gardens
- 3
Day 3
Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes
West to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, then imperial Meknes — Bab Mansour, the Heri es-Souani granaries and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail — with an overnight in or near Meknes.
- Roman Volubilis
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
- Bab Mansour
- Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
- 4
Day 4
On to Rabat
Drive west to the Atlantic capital, Rabat. The blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth, its Andalusian garden, and the calm riverside medina and souks.
- Kasbah of the Udayas
- Andalusian Gardens
- Rabat medina
- Bou Regreg riverfront
- 5
Day 5
Rabat highlights & departure
The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, then the Roman-and-Merinid ruins of Chellah wrapped in gardens and storks' nests, before your onward train or flight from Rabat or Casablanca.
- Hassan Tower
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V
- Chellah necropolis
Good to know
Practical notes
- Fes, Meknes and Rabat sit along the same northern corridor — Fes to Meknes is about an hour, Meknes to Rabat about two and a half hours.
- The route works well as a private-driver loop, or by train between Fes, Meknes and Rabat with guided days in each city.
- Rabat connects easily to Casablanca's airport (under an hour by train) for departure.
Frequently asked
What is the best imperial cities Morocco itinerary?
A classic five-day imperial route pairs Fes (two days for the medina and crafts) with a touring day for Volubilis and Meknes, then two days in Rabat for the Udayas kasbah, Hassan Tower and Chellah. It covers four of Morocco's UNESCO sites in one trip.
How many days do you need for Morocco's imperial cities?
Five days comfortably covers Fes, Meknes, Volubilis and Rabat. Add Marrakech, the fourth imperial city, with a couple more days if you want the full set — though it sits to the south.
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