The Imperial Cities of Morocco: Fes, Meknes, Rabat & Marrakech Explained
The imperial cities of Morocco are Fes, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech — the four cities that have each served as the capital of a ruling dynasty. All four have UNESCO-listed historic centres, they are linked by motorway and rail, and you can see them comfortably in 6-7 days, ideally adding the Roman ruins of Volubilis near Meknes.
Why are they called the imperial cities?
Morocco has been ruled by a succession of dynasties since the late 8th century, and each tended to build or favour its own capital. The term "imperial cities" is a modern label, largely from the colonial period and later tourism, for the four that held that role for significant stretches of history. Today Rabat is the political capital, Casablanca the economic capital, and the other three are living cities built around historic medinas. Casablanca is not an imperial city, but it is the main international gateway and home to the Hassan II Mosque, so most itineraries begin or end there.
The four cities at a glance
| City | Main dynasty | UNESCO listing | Don't miss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fes | Idrisid, later Marinid | Medina of Fez, 1981 | Bou Inania Madrasa, Chouara tannery |
| Marrakech | Almoravid, Almohad, Saadian | Medina of Marrakesh, 1985 | Koutoubia, Bahia Palace, Jemaa el-Fnaa |
| Meknes | Alaouite (Moulay Ismail) | Historic City of Meknes, 1996 | Bab Mansour, royal granaries |
| Rabat | Almohad, then modern capital | Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City, 2012 | Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower |
Fes: the spiritual and scholarly capital
Fes was founded at the end of the 8th century by Idris I and developed by his son Idris II in the early 9th century. Its old medina, Fes el-Bali, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and the most intact medieval city in the Arab world. The Al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, is often cited as one of the oldest continuously operating educational institutions anywhere. Under the Marinids (13th-15th centuries) Fes gained its finest madrasas, including the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine. Allow at least one full day, and use a licensed guide; our guide to visiting Fes covers the practicalities.
Marrakech: the Red City
Marrakech was founded around 1070 by the Almoravids, who gave their name to the whole region — "Morocco" derives from Marrakech. The Almohads added the Koutoubia Mosque, whose minaret rises to about 77 m, and the Saadians built the tombs and the El Badi Palace in the 16th century. The Bahia Palace dates from the late 19th century. Jemaa el-Fnaa, the great square, is recognised by UNESCO for its intangible heritage of storytellers, musicians and performers. Allow two days here: one for the medina, one for gardens or an excursion.
Meknes: the city of Moulay Ismail
Meknes is the most overlooked of the four, which is exactly why many travellers love it. Sultan Moulay Ismail, who ruled from 1672 to 1727, made it his capital and surrounded it with some 40 km of walls. His monumental gate, Bab Mansour, completed in 1732, is covered in green and white zellige. Nearby are his mausoleum and the vast royal granaries and stables of Heri es-Souani. Half a day is enough for the highlights, and Meknes is only about 60 km (roughly an hour) from Fes.
Volubilis and Moulay Idriss
About 30 km north of Meknes, Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco and was listed by UNESCO in 1997. Its floor mosaics, triumphal arch and basilica sit in open farmland against the Zerhoun hills. Entry is approximately 70 MAD at the time of writing; check before you travel. The holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, where Idris I is buried, overlooks the site.
Rabat: the modern capital
Rabat's historic core dates from the Almohad sultan Yaqub al-Mansur in the 12th century, who began the Hassan Mosque; its minaret, the Hassan Tower, was never finished and stands at about 44 m. Opposite is the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The Kasbah of the Udayas, with its white and blue lanes above the mouth of the Bou Regreg river, is a calm contrast to the other medinas. Rabat became the capital in 1912 and remains so; half a day to a day is enough.
How many days do you need?
Travel times between the four cities are manageable:
- Casablanca to Rabat: about 90 km, 1h15 by road or around 1 hour by train.
- Rabat to Meknes: about 140 km, roughly 2 hours.
- Meknes to Fes: about 60 km, roughly 1 hour.
- Fes to Marrakech: about 530 km, 7-8 hours by road via the Middle Atlas with stops, or around 7 hours by train.
A sensible minimum is six nights: one in Rabat, two in Fes (visiting Meknes and Volubilis on the way), and two or three in Marrakech. With seven or more days you can add Chefchaouen from Fes, or cross to the Sahara between Fes and Marrakech. Our 7 day Morocco itinerary compares both options, and the 10 day Morocco itinerary shows how the imperial cities fit alongside the desert.
Tips for visiting the imperial cities
- Mosques: non-Muslims cannot enter most working mosques in Morocco. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the main exception, on guided tours.
- Guides: hire licensed guides, who carry an official badge. Unofficial "guides" in Fes and Marrakech can be persistent.
- Timing: Friday midday prayers mean some sites and shops close for a few hours. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; Fes and Marrakech are very hot in July and August.
- Order: ending in Marrakech works well, as it has the most direct international flights.
If you are weighing a private itinerary against a group trip, our article on choosing a Morocco tour sets out the differences, and you can compare routes in our multi-day tours collection.
Book it with a local operator
Our 7-day imperial cities tour from Casablanca links Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis, Fes and Marrakech with a private driver, handpicked riads and hotels, and licensed guides in Rabat, Fes and Marrakech, from €690 per person. Reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 7 days before departure. Contact us on WhatsApp (+212 606 957 514) or at contact@moroccotrekking.sbs to tailor the dates or add nights.
Comments (0)