7-Day Imperial Cities Tour from Casablanca – Rabat, Meknes, Fes & Marrakech

Expect 2–4 hours of walking on sightseeing days, broken into shorter segments with café and photo stops. Medinas involve steps and uneven pavements, but the pace is moderate and can be adjusted to your comfort level.

Yes. We can adapt this Imperial Cities route to start in Marrakech and finish in Casablanca, or to loop back to Casablanca, depending on your flights and wider Morocco plans.

Yes. The Imperial Cities route (Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech) is one of the most established travel circuits in Morocco and is generally considered safe for visitors. Most issues that travellers encounter are minor, such as pickpocketing or small scams in busy tourist areas, rather than serious crime.
On this tour, you are with an English-speaking private driver and licensed local guides, which adds another layer of security: they know which neighbourhoods are best avoided late at night, how to deal with unwanted attention, and how to handle small problems such as a misplaced item or a minor health issue. As in any big city, normal travel precautions apply: keep valuables secure, avoid flashing expensive items, stay in well-lit areas in the evening, and follow the advice of your driver and guides.

This itinerary runs year-round, but the most comfortable times for walking and sightseeing are usually spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). During these months, daytime temperatures are typically mild to warm, with cooler evenings, which is ideal for exploring medinas and monuments.
Summer can be hot, especially in Fes and Marrakech, but early starts, shaded breaks, air-conditioned vehicles and a flexible pace help to keep it manageable. Winter can bring cooler temperatures and some rain, particularly on the Atlantic coast and in Fes, but also fewer crowds and a softer, more atmospheric light. The “best” time ultimately depends on whether you prioritise pleasant temperatures, fewer visitors or matching specific holiday dates.

On full sightseeing days, you can expect around 2–4 hours of walking, spread out across the day with regular café, photo and rest stops. Walking is mostly at a gentle pace but often on uneven pavements, cobblestones, narrow alleys and occasional stairs, especially in historic medinas like Fes and Marrakech.
You do not need to be highly athletic, but you should be comfortable walking slowly for 20–30 minutes at a time. Because this is a private tour, your guide can shorten or lengthen the walking portions depending on your energy level. For travellers with reduced mobility or specific concerns, routes can be adapted to minimise stairs and slopes as much as possible, and vehicle drop-offs can be arranged closer to key sights when feasible.

There is no strict dress code for visitors in Moroccan cities, but modest, comfortable clothing is strongly recommended. Lightweight, breathable fabrics work best: long or mid-length skirts, loose trousers, dresses or shirts that cover the shoulders and are at least mid-thigh to knee length. This style is both practical in the sun and respectful of local culture.
In religious or more traditional areas, such as around mosques and in certain neighbourhoods, dressing more conservatively can help you feel more comfortable and attract less attention. For mosque interiors that are open to visitors, both men and women are expected to cover shoulders and knees, and to avoid very tight or revealing clothing. A light scarf is useful for extra coverage and for sun protection. Comfortable closed shoes or sturdy trainers are essential for walking on cobblestones, steps and uneven streets.

Visa requirements for Morocco depend on your nationality. Many travellers are allowed to enter visa-free for short stays (often up to 90 days), but this is not universal and the exact rules can change. Regardless of the visa rules, all travellers need a valid passport with sufficient remaining validity, and should ensure they receive an entry stamp on arrival.
Because regulations differ from one country to another and are updated from time to time, you should always check the current entry requirements for your nationality with your own government’s travel advice or the nearest Moroccan consulate before booking flights and finalising your tour.

The main differences are group size, flexibility and pace. On a shared coach tour, you usually travel with a larger group on a fixed timetable: departure times, photo stops and meal breaks are set for everyone together. This can lead to a feeling of rushing or waiting for others, and makes it harder to adapt to your personal interests or energy level.
On a private Imperial Cities tour, the schedule is built around you. You can start a little earlier or later, spend more time in places you love, move on quickly from those you don’t, and ask as many questions as you like without competing for your guide’s attention. Your driver and guides can adjust the rhythm day by day, suggest quieter viewpoints, and help you discover local cafés and restaurants that suit your style. For many guests, the biggest benefit is time: less time waiting for a group and more time actually experiencing Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech.

Seven days is a very good length for a focused Imperial Cities itinerary starting in Casablanca and ending in Marrakech. It gives you time to:

• Visit all four Imperial Cities (Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech) in a logical route.
• Include a stop at Volubilis and key monuments in each city.
• Spend at least one full, structured day in Fes and a substantial amount of time in Marrakech.
• Avoid overnight bus stages or exhausting, back-to-back long drives.
  Of course, Morocco is much larger than its Imperial Cities. If you want to include the Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains or Atlantic Coast, adding a few extra days is recommended. But for travellers whose main priority is royal history, medinas, architecture and city life, a well-designed 7-day circuit offers a satisfying balance between depth and practicality.

This tour is designed to blend structured guiding with personal time. A typical day might include a 3–4-hour guided visit in the morning, followed by a long lunch and a more flexible afternoon where you can continue exploring with your guide, return to the riad to rest, or wander on your own.
Because it is a private itinerary, your level of guided time can be adjusted. Some guests like very detailed explanations and prefer to stay with the guide longer; others want a shorter orientation followed by independent exploration. Your driver and guides can adapt day by day, making sure you feel informed and supported without feeling over-scheduled.

Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham, and cash is still widely used, especially in medinas, local markets and small cafés or shops. Cash machines are available in the main cities on this route, and many travellers simply withdraw local currency on arrival and as needed. Larger hotels, some riads and more upscale restaurants usually accept major credit cards, but smaller businesses often do not.
It is sensible to carry a mix of cash and cards, keep some small notes and coins for tips and small purchases, and have a backup card in case one does not work. Tipping is customary but flexible; many guests choose to tip their driver, city guides and riad staff at the end of their stay according to the level of service received. Your tour documents can include suggested tipping ranges so you can budget comfortably in advance.

In most cases, yes. Moroccan cuisine includes a wide range of dishes based on vegetables, grains, legumes, fish and meats, so it is usually possible to find suitable options for vegetarians, pescatarians and many dietary preferences. With advance notice, many hotels and restaurants can also adapt meals for common allergies or intolerances.
If you have specific requirements—such as gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergies, or religious dietary rules—it is important to mention them when you request your quote. Your driver and local guides can then help you choose appropriate dishes, explain your needs in restaurants, and avoid problematic ingredients. The flexibility of a private tour also makes it easier to adapt restaurant choices and mealtimes to your needs.

This route is popular throughout the year, with particularly high demand in spring and autumn. If you plan to travel in March–May or September–November, booking several months in advance is recommended to secure your preferred riads, room categories and exact dates. Characterful riads in the medinas often have a limited number of rooms and can fill up quickly in peak periods.
For summer and winter departures, there may be more flexibility, but early booking is still advisable if you have fixed dates, prefer specific types of accommodation, or are travelling over Christmas, New Year, Easter or major local holidays. As a rule of thumb, it is best to confirm your tour soon after your flights are booked.