Quick answer: The imperial cities of Morocco are Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat, the four cities that have served as capitals of Moroccan dynasties. Fes is the spiritual and scholarly heart, Marrakech the lively southern capital, Meknes the grand project of Sultan Moulay Ismail, and Rabat the modern capital. All four medinas are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and you can see them in 5–6 days, or combine them with the Sahara in 9–12.
Many of our guests arrive knowing they want to see "the imperial cities" and the desert, but not quite sure what makes these cities imperial, or how they differ. As a team that spends as much time driving between Fes and Marrakech as we do in the dunes, here is our straightforward explanation.
What Makes a City "Imperial"?
Morocco has been ruled by a series of dynasties over more than 1,200 years: the Idrisids, Almoravids, Almohads, Merinids, Saadians and the Alaouites, who still reign today. Each dynasty tended to choose or build its own capital. The four cities that held that role at different times, and still have the royal palaces, monumental gates and grand mosques to show for it, are known as the imperial cities.
Fes: The Spiritual and Scholarly Capital
Founded at the end of the 8th century under Idris I and developed by his son Idris II, Fes is the oldest of the four. Its old medina, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (listed in 1981) and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, with thousands of lanes.
- Al Quaraouiyine: founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, often cited as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Non-Muslims can look through the doors into the courtyard.
- Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas: 14th-century Merinid masterpieces of carved cedar, stucco and zellige tilework.
- Chouara tannery: leather has been dyed in its stone vats for centuries.
- Fes el-Jdid: the Merinid "new" town with the royal palace gates and the old Jewish quarter, the Mellah.
Plan at least one full day with a licensed guide; two is better.
Marrakech: The Red City of the South
Founded around 1070 by the Almoravids, Marrakech gave its name to the whole country (Morocco comes from "Marrakech" in several European languages). Its medina was listed by UNESCO in 1985.
- Koutoubia Mosque: its 12th-century Almohad minaret, about 77 m tall, is the city's landmark.
- Jemaa el-Fna: the great square, recognised by UNESCO for its storytellers, musicians and food stalls.
- Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace: relics of the 16th-century Saadian golden age.
- Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Madrasa: 19th-century grandeur and exquisite Islamic architecture.
Marrakech is also the gateway to the High Atlas and the classic route to the Sahara via Aït Benhaddou and the Dades Valley.
Meknes: The Versailles of Morocco
Meknes became capital under the Alaouite Sultan Moulay Ismail, who ruled from 1672 to 1727 and built an enormous imperial city with some 40 km of walls. Its historic city was listed by UNESCO in 1996.
- Bab Mansour: one of the most beautiful gates in North Africa.
- Heri es-Souani: vast granaries and stables said to have housed thousands of horses.
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail: one of the few Moroccan shrines open to non-Muslims (check before visiting, as it has been under restoration in recent years).
Meknes is quieter and less touristy than Fes, and just 60 km away, so it combines easily with the Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO, 1997), about 30 km north, and the hill town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.
Rabat: The Modern Capital
Rabat became the capital in 1912 under the French protectorate and has remained so since independence in 1956. Its modern and historic city was inscribed by UNESCO in 2012.
- Hassan Tower: the unfinished minaret of a huge Almohad mosque begun in the 1190s.
- Mausoleum of Mohammed V: with its royal guards, opposite the tower.
- Kasbah of the Udayas: blue-and-white lanes above the mouth of the Bou Regreg river.
- Chellah: Roman and Merinid ruins among gardens and storks.
How Far Apart Are the Imperial Cities?
| Route | Distance | By road / train |
|---|---|---|
| Fes – Meknes | 60 km | 1 h by road or train |
| Meknes – Rabat | 140 km | 1.5–2 h |
| Rabat – Casablanca | 90 km | 1 h by train |
| Casablanca – Marrakech | 240 km | 2.5–3 h by train or road |
| Fes – Marrakech (direct) | ~530 km | about 7 h by train or road |
| Fes – Marrakech via Merzouga | ~1,030 km | 3 days by road |
Combining the Imperial Cities with the Sahara
The imperial cities form a line along the north and west of the country, while the Sahara lies to the south-east, beyond the Atlas. The most satisfying way to see both is a loop: Casablanca or Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis, Fes, then south over the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, and back west along the kasbah route to Marrakech. That is the backbone of our 9-day imperial cities and Sahara tour.
If you have less time, our 7-day Morocco itinerary focuses on Marrakech, the desert and Fes, while our two-week itinerary covers all four imperial cities plus Chefchaouen and Essaouira.
Which Imperial City Should You Prioritise?
- Only time for one? Fes for history and authenticity, Marrakech for atmosphere and easy logistics.
- Interested in architecture? Fes and Meknes.
- Travelling with children? Marrakech's gardens and square, and Rabat's calm seafront.
- Want to avoid crowds? Meknes and Rabat are much quieter.
Tips for Visiting the Imperial Cities
- Hire a licensed official guide in Fes and Marrakech; unofficial "guides" in the medina can lead to pressure to shop.
- Most mosques are closed to non-Muslims, with the notable exception of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
- Friday midday is quiet in the medinas as many shops close for prayers.
- Wear comfortable shoes: medina lanes are uneven, and you will walk 10–15 km a day.
See the Imperial Cities and the Sahara with Us
We love showing guests how the grand cities of the north connect to the desert where we live. Explore our imperial cities and Sahara journey, from €1,190 per person, or contact us for a private version tailored to your pace.
