Morocco · City Tours

7-Day Morocco Imperial Cities Tour with Chefchaouen and Volubilis

7 Days Round trip from Chefchaouen Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Roam the picturesque blue alleys of Chefchaouen's medina
02 Discover Volubilis, the furthest point of the Roman Empire into Africa
03 Wander the medieval maze-like streets of Fes
04 Share a drink in Casablanca in the spirit of Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart
05 Visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims

Featuring an exciting mix of culture and history, this 7-day itinerary covers the highlights of Morocco's historic Imperial cities - Meknes, Fes, Rabat, and Marrakech - with additional time in Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Casablanca. Starting in Tangier on the Strait of Gibraltar and travelling south to lively Marrakech, you'll discover exceptional architecture, ornate artisanship, delicious food, and bustling souks along the way. From the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen and the Roman ruins of Volubilis to the medieval medina of Fes and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, this journey brings together many of Morocco's most memorable cultural landmarks.

Featuring an exciting mix of culture and history, this 7-day itinerary covers the highlights of Morocco's historic Imperial cities - Meknes, Fes, Rabat, and Marrakech - with additional time in Tangier, Chefchaouen, and Casablanca.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, Rabat, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Volubilis

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Tangier Arrival and Chefchaouen's Blue Medina

Greetings from Morocco! Arrive in Tangier, a port city that serves as a bridge between Africa and Europe. The choice is yours between spending time in Tangier and travelling on to Chefchaouen, a stunning blue city in the Rif Mountains. The Cascades d'Akchour (Waterfalls of Akchour), a hidden gem, can be enjoyed after a short 2-3 hour hike through lush vegetation and small pools just before you arrive in Chefchaouen. Arrive in charming Chefchaouen from there.
Explore the historic medina's maze-like, narrow streets and alleyways that cling to the northern hillside, which is known for its blue-washed buildings.
Learn about Place Outa el Hammam, the central square so named because it once had many hammams (public baths) surrounding it. Before exploring the many shops selling antiques, find a restaurant or café to grab a bite to eat. Visit the kasbah and grand mosque, an old fortress or fortification. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the mosque, which was built in 1560, but the view from the outside is still worth a visit. Visit a museum, a garden, and even some of the kasbah's former prison cells while exploring it.
As dusk falls, head east along the streets and climb the stairs to the white Spanish Mosque in 20 to 30 minutes. Observe Chefchaouen one last time as the sun sets behind the mountains.

Day 02

Volubilis, Meknes, and Onward to Fes

Before leaving Chefchaouen, get up early and stroll the quiet streets for the best opportunity to take unobstructed pictures. Travel in the direction of Fes while making a brief detour to see the magnificent Roman ruins at Volubilis. Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a vast complex worth exploring. It was established in the third century BCE and abandoned in the eleventh century, yet it remains remarkably well preserved.
Admire the merchant houses with their obvious heating systems, the temples, and the vibrant, almost completely intact mosaics in place, such as the Labors of Hercules.
While travelling to Fes, stop in Meknes. Meknes, a smaller version of Fes, offers a calmer medina and less pushy shopkeepers. The Ville Impériale (Imperial City) and the manageable medina are the two main attractions in Meknes despite the city's size.
Continue to Fes, where you can explore the impressively expansive and intricate medina that stretches down the hill. Visit the Merenid Tombs ruins and take in the expansive views of the old city before going into the medina. Spend the night in a lovely riad in the medina with an interior courtyard garden.

Day 03

Fes Medina, Tannery, and Historic Quarters

Fes includes Fes el Bali and Fes el Jdid, as well as the contemporary Ville Nouvelle, built during the French colonial era, and is frequently referred to as the nation's cultural capital (1912-1956). Meet your guide and spend a half day learning about the history and culture as you travel through the winding, crowded streets of the medinas.
Explore Fes el Bali, founded in 789 ACE, to see how the architecture of the medina was influenced by Spanish and Tunisian refugees. Browse the numerous souks offering regional products while observing the artisans at work. For a comprehensive view of the numerous round stone wells filled with dye and people at work, visit the Chouara Tannery, built in the 11th century, and locate a nearby leather shop.
Visit the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, founded in 859 ACE, to see the exquisitely decorated interior. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside. Its university is the oldest continuously running institution in the entire world.
Admire the exquisitely detailed woodwork and tile throughout the Al Attarine Madrasa. Visit the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter and cemetery, in Fes el Jdid, dating from the 13th century, and use its setting to capture a stunning panoramic image of the city.

Day 04

Rabat's Historic Sights and Casablanca

Spend the morning discovering more of Fes. Perhaps pay a visit to a nearby Ceramics and Tilework Collective to observe the master mosaic tile makers at work. It is then time to travel west to Rabat, the country's capital city, situated along the Bou Regreg River and the Atlantic coast.
Discover Rabat's central medieval fortified city and the Chellah Necropolis. Explore the lovely grounds, which are home to a mix of Roman and Islamic ruins. Step into the original Rabat by passing through the majestic gate of the Kasbah des Oudaias. Today mainly a residential area, stroll the calm white and blue-washed streets and strike up a conversation with locals.
Take a trip to the Andalusian Gardens. Built by the French in the 20th century, the gardens provide a tranquil setting away from the crowds.
Learn about the Hassan Tower, a minaret of the unfinished mosque, and the Mohamed V Mausoleum. This 12th-century project was never finished. All that remains now are the 200 or so columns that served as support structures for the imagined mosque and the 145-foot (44-meter) red sandstone tower. In Casablanca, wrap up the day by settling into your lodging.

Day 05

Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque and Journey to Marrakech

The Hassan II Mosque should be your main stop while in Casablanca, Morocco's commercial hub. Its 690-foot (210 m) minaret, the tallest in the world and the tallest building in Morocco, stands in a picturesque setting on the sea. Even though the mosque's exterior and surroundings are impressive, it stands out because it is one of the few mosques in the nation that non-Muslims are allowed to enter.
Join a tour of the mosque in the morning and be amazed by the exquisite craftsmanship, including the hand-carved stone and wood, the elaborate marble floor details, and the gilded ceilings.
After that, browse the shops of the Hobous medina. It is a great place to experience art deco architecture while looking for the olive, vegetable, and spice markets because it was built in the 1930s by the French.
From there, take a leisurely stroll along the Boulevard de la Corniche, a beach promenade sometimes referred to as Morocco's Miami because it follows the Atlantic coast. Movie buffs might be interested in checking out Rick's Café, a restaurant, bar, and café created to replicate the bar made famous in the film Casablanca.
Leave the coast behind and travel three hours south to Marrakech, also known as the Red City.

Day 06

Marrakech and the Bahia Palace

Finish up any last-minute shopping, or spend more time exploring Marrakech's attractions, such as the elaborate Bahia Palace. Bahia is Arabic for "brilliance." Constructed in the 19th century, the palace is a prime example of Moroccan and Islamic art and architecture. It covers an area of eight hectares (10,000 square meters) and features a garden and rooms that open onto courtyards.
Before boarding your flight home, a visit to the palace and its gardens provides the ideal setting for some quiet reflection.