Rabat, Marrakesh, Fez and Meknes are Morocco’s four imperial cities and visitors can enjoy getting lost amid their maze-like medinas, which have been made UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Enticing Arabic culture with its palaces, madrasas and mosques waits for you around every corner. These cities are also a shopper’s paradise and their lively souks are perfect for giving in to temptation.

These four exotic cities are bursting with life and here visitors can experience endless sensations: colours, scents, tastes, sounds and textures that make each one special and give it its own particular character. Morocco’s imperial cities are ancient religious, cultural and political centres and are compulsory stops on a visit to the country. Would you like to find out more? Then read on!

Rabat: the capital of Morocco

Rabat is the capital of Morocco and the heart of institutional life here. Located between Fez and Marrakesh and very close to Casablanca, it’s worth spending at least a day in the city to explore the streets of its medina and visit its most emblematic buildings.

You could start at the Kasbah of the Udayas, a citadel that contains one of Rabat’s most beautiful and characteristic areas. An alcazaba, narrow streets, white and Klein blue façades, gardens inherited from the Al-Andalus and French periods and busy Rabat beach are just some of the attractions in this neighbourhood and it can easily be seen in two or three hours.

Rabat medina is just 10 minutes on foot from the Andalusian Gardens of the Kasbah. Wander freely among its intricate network of streets until you reach the main shopping area: the souk. It’s definitely the perfect place to go shopping by haggling for typical souvenirs such as hijabs, slippers, rugs and lamps.

Continue your journey to discover more of the city’s most famous monuments, including Hassan Tower, a minaret reminiscent of La Giralda in Seville (the architect was the same) that is part of the ruins of an ancient mosque, and the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V.

Marrakesh, the most popular and frequently visited city

Sheltered by the Atlas Mountains and far further south than the other imperial cities, no visit to Morocco would be complete without a stop in Marrakesh.

You’ll need at least two or three days to a get a real sense of the city, the cultural heart of Morocco, and have enough time to relax in one of its many baths or hammams.

Taking the medina as a starting point, because most visitors stay in a riad, you could go for a wander along its narrow streets and discover unique buildings along the way, such as Madrasa Ben Youssef, the biggest madrasa in Morocco.  Head towards the lively souk area where you can find almost anything you might need – but make sure you’ve honed your haggling skills!

Soon you’ll get to Jamaa El Fna Square, one of the busiest places in the city both during the day and at night. Whether it’s morning, noon or night, we recommend climbing up to the rooftop of one of its surrounding cafés and restaurants to enjoy some Moroccan tea and the wonderful views. In the distance, the minaret of Kutubiyya Mosque, built in the Hispano-Muslim style, dominates the city’s skyline.

After visiting the medina, it’s worth exploring a bit further afield to discover other unmissable sights of Marrakesh, such as the palaces of El Badi and Bahia, or outdoor spaces: the Palmeraie, the Menara Gardens, and the exotic Majorelle Gardens, which belonged to Yves Saint Laurent and is one of the most evocative spots in the city.

Whether you come for a long or short stay, you’ll leave Marrakesh making plans to return.

Fez: medieval, religious and traditional

There’s plenty to see and do in Fez. It’s best to stay for at least one or two days to enjoy everything this medieval city has to offer, especially Fes El Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pass through the famous Blue Gate, or Bab Boujeloud, and you’ll find yourself in the medina.  From here on it’s all about strolling around and enjoying each and every new discovery: the souks, ancient fountains with colourful tiles and picturesque squares lined with cafés. You’ll also come across several important buildings such as the madrasas (Koranic schools) of Bou Inania and Al Attarine, the Nejjarine School of Wood Arts and Crafts, and the Mausoleum or Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II. Each building will give you the chance to admire the minute attention to detail that is so typical to Islamic-style architecture and decoration.

But if Fez is famous for one thing above all, it’s its four traditional tanneries; Chouwara is the largest of the four. Tanneries are a unique sight and, despite the pungent smell, it’s well worth visiting at least one to discover the traditional work method first hand: watch tanners submerging leather into dozens of pits filled with different colours of dye.

If you’d like to enjoy a view of the entire city and get a sense of Fes El Bali’s size, we recommend climbing to the rooftop of a café or restaurant for a tasty dinner of food typical to Fez (internal link) as the sun sets behind the roofs and minarets.

Meknes: Morocco’s undiscovered city

Meknes, the least tourist-oriented imperial city in Morocco, is just 65 km from Fez. It’s the most peaceful and authentic of the four imperial cities and was formerly the nation’s capital in the 17th century. Meknes is definitely the city with the greatest essence of Morocco.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city invites you to wander the placid, pastel and ochre-coloured streets of its medina. Exploring the souks in search of a bargain is a real treat; prices in Meknes are lower than in other cities and you won’t need to haggle as hard as you do in other, more touristy, places. After the souk, you could walk up to El Hedim Square, the main meeting place, to admire majestic Bab El Mansour Gate. It’s also worth taking your time to spot every architectural detail of two of the city’s most important buildings: Bou Inania madrasa and the Mausoleum of Mouley Ismail. Surprising Meknes puts the finishing touch to a wonderful tour of Morocco’s imperial cities.

Camels in the Moroccan Desert: A Fascinating Encounter

Embarking on a Moroccan desert tour guarantees a captivating encounter with the emblematic camels. As you venture into the heart of the Moroccan Desert, these majestic creatures will grace your path. Amidst their natural habitat, you’ll witness camels engaged in various roles: transporting goods with unwavering diligence, exuding an air of purposeful labour, and patiently awaiting the opportunity to offer you a memorable camel riding experience.

Discovering the Majestic Presence of Camels

The thing about camels is they are in fact more intimidating up close than they are on a television screen. Camels, whether they have one hump or two, are pretty large. And they are not like dogs who endear themselves to you. Camels are aloof, they are proud, and there are those who think they are arrogant!

Mounting a Camel: An Unforgettable Experience Assisted by Guides

Actually, camels are fascinating creatures. Firstly, if you get to ride a camel in Morocco , and we really suggest you do, you will have assistance. Camels kneel down for you to mount them and it’s an easy process but it can be a bit unnerving. A guide will always be there to keep the camel in place, and to help you get up. Once you’re up, it’s a bit like balancing on a horse. There’s a hump for you to hold, and of course, there are reins too so you can balance and feel secure.

Exploring the Desert: Spectacular Scenery and Nomadic Feel

Riding through the desert on a camel is incredible. You feel like a Bedouin or a Nomad. The scenery is amazing – red sand, dunes for miles, the dark blue sky, and unless you ride to an oasis which you may well do, there is nothing around. Of course, when you do a camel desert safari, there is in fact plenty around, you just don’t see it easily. Guides carry delicious snacks, drinks and will set up camp for you in a shady spot (tea stop, water stop, lunch stop) in a luxurious and adventurous manner. You may be going for an hour ride, a half-day ride, or on an overnight safari. There are many options for our Moroccan camel tours, and they are all amazing.

The Amazing Adaptations of Camels: Survival in the Desert

A group of camels is called a caravan of camels, and we have all seen photographs as they walk through the desert in a long line, sometimes up to 1000 camels at once. Camels were used as carriers of goods, including salt, cotton, tea and gold, and were an important part of the Trans-Saharan trade route. Their specially adapted body features, eyes, eyelids and hair, protect them from the sun and they can walk for days without water. Their humps are filled with fat, not water as previously thought, which will keep them going for days.

Leisurely Camel Rides: Capturing Memories in the Desert Landscapes

While camels can demonstrate swiftness, your journey atop them during a Morocco camel tour unfolds slowly and leisurely so the journey is safe and you can take in the beautiful desert landscapes. Give your camera to the guide so he can get good pics of you perched on top of a camel, and don’t forget to dress appropriately. Long pants so your legs don’t get scratched, a long sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun, and of course, a local Moroccan scarf or turban to cover your head from the sun!

Explore the Moroccan Sahara on Camelback

Morocco has a large area of land and there are so many different and adventurous ways to travel across the desert. Camel Trekking is one of the most beautiful ways to travel and takes you back to your ancient Nomadic past.

Unveiling the Spectacular Moroccan Sahara

An easy-going trek swaying back & forth on the back of a camel has got to be the finest way to explore any desert, especially the Moroccan Sahara, one of the most spectacular and accessible regions.

Embrace the Camel Trekking Adventure

The Berber and Nomadic people have spent thousands of years that lived in travelling and transporting their goods by camel and this is definitely the ideal place for a camel trekking adventure.

Unforgettable Moments in the Moroccan Desert

Camel trekking in Morocco can take from 2 days to 2 weeks. Watch in awe at the incredible sunrise while standing on top of a sand dune or sit around the camp fire at night under a stunning sky full of stars at a traditional Berber desert camp.

Connect with Nature and Yourself

Exploring the beautiful scenery of Morocco, travelling with a caravan of camels is a fascinating thing to do and a real experience which gives you the time and space to get away from things and connect to yourself, returning home with a renewed sense of perspective.

Medinas, Souks, Mellahs, Foundouks, Casbahs, and Ksour

The word medina means “town” in Arabic. It refers to Morocco’s old pre-20th century cities, many of them enclosed within defensive walls. A medina has several monumental gates through which it can be entered, and—always—a mosque at its heart. Medinas are separated into quarters according to social and commercial hierarchies, with each quarter having its own communal oven, hammam (steam bath), and grocery shops within its network of streets and alleys.

Designated quarters: Craftsmen work in the areas of the medina known as souks, which were laid out according to the commodities being made and sold, with the most valuable products (such as gold and manuscripts) in the center and lesser goods radiating out from there. Today, little has changed, with each souk still named after the products sold there. For much of their history, Moroccan Jews lived in segregated mellahs—Jewish quarters—where they built homes, synagogues, markets, hammams, playgrounds, and cemeteries. The first one was established in a saline area of Fes in 1438 and named after the Arab word for salt: mellah. Subsequently, all Moroccan Jewish quarters were called mellahs. We’ll visit the souks and mellah in Fes, and have another opportunity to explore souks in Marrakesh.

Outside the cities: Before the 20th century, a foundouk was a caravansary, or roadside inn, used by traveling merchants. They slept upstairs, and on the ground level was a courtyard surrounded by stables for their camels, donkeys, and other livestock, as well as their goods for sale. We’ll see this layout at the Nejjarine Museum we visit on Day 4; it’s a restored foundouk. A casbah is a fortress-style building with crenellated defensive towers. In rural Morocco, representatives of the ruler lived in and governed from casbahs; a casbah can be inside a ksar (plural ksour), which is a fortified rural village surrounded by walls. Ait Ben Haddou, which we explore on Day 10, is a spectacular example of a ksar.