Grand Tour of Morocco: Imperial Cities & Sahara Desert - 7 Days

Your Grand Tour of Morocco begins in Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city and one of the country’s main international gateways. After arrival at Casablanca airport, meet your driver and transfer to your accommodation.

Depending on your flight time, the rest of the day can be kept flexible. If you arrive early, you may begin with a gentle introduction to Casablanca’s Atlantic coast, modern neighborhoods, and urban rhythm before the cultural and desert journey continues in the following days.

A relaxed walk along the Corniche is a good way to feel the coastal side of the city. This seaside promenade follows the Atlantic Ocean and offers cafés, ocean views, and a different atmosphere from Morocco’s old imperial medinas. If timing allows, you may also visit or pass near Rick’s Café, a well-known Casablanca restaurant inspired by the classic film atmosphere associated with the city.

This first day is intentionally lighter, giving you time to arrive, rest, adjust to Morocco, and prepare for the road journey ahead. The deeper cultural visits begin the next day with Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque, Meknes, Volubilis, and Fes.

Overnight in Casablanca.

After breakfast, begin the day with Casablanca’s most important landmark: the Hassan II Mosque. Built beside the Atlantic Ocean, this mosque is one of Morocco’s most impressive architectural sites and a powerful introduction to Moroccan craftsmanship.

If the official visit schedule allows, you can join a guided tour inside the mosque. The building is known for its oceanfront setting, tall minaret, carved stone, marble details, zellij tilework, painted cedar ceilings, and refined decorative work created by Moroccan artisans. It is also one of the few mosques in Morocco that can be visited by non-Muslim travelers during official guided tours.

After the visit, leave Casablanca and travel inland toward Meknes, one of Morocco’s imperial cities. Meknes is often quieter than Fes and Marrakech, but it has strong royal history and important monuments. Depending on timing, you may visit or pass by Bab Mansour, Lahdim Square, the imperial city area, old walls, gardens, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.

Continue to Volubilis, one of Morocco’s most important Roman archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage location. Walking through Volubilis adds a different historical layer to the journey, with ancient stone streets, columns, temples, merchant houses, arches, and well-preserved mosaics surrounded by open countryside.

Later in the day, continue toward Fes, Morocco’s cultural capital and one of the oldest imperial cities in the country. Before settling into your riad, you may stop near the Merenid Tombs for a panoramic view over the old medina. From above, you can see the rooftops, minarets, and dense historic quarters that make Fes one of the most fascinating cities in Morocco.

Arrive at your riad in Fes and enjoy the evening at leisure, with time to rest before the guided medina visit the next day.

Overnight in Fes.

After breakfast, begin a guided visit of Fes, one of Morocco’s oldest imperial cities and one of the most important cultural centers in the country. This day gives the journey its strongest historical and human depth, as Fes is not only a city of monuments, but a living medina where craftsmanship, trade, religion, food, and daily life still follow old rhythms.

With your local guide, enter Fes el-Bali, the ancient medina and one of the most fascinating historic quarters in Morocco. Its narrow streets are full of movement: small bakeries, spice stalls, leather shops, copper workers, woodcarvers, textile sellers, fountains, mosques, and hidden courtyards. The medina can feel like a maze, which is why a guided visit helps you understand the city instead of simply passing through it.

Your visit may begin near Bab Boujloud, the famous blue gate of Fes, before walking deeper into the old city. Along the way, you will see traditional souks where artisans continue to work with techniques passed down through generations. This is one of the best places in Morocco to understand local craftsmanship, from leather and ceramics to metalwork, embroidery, and carved cedarwood.

One of the main highlights is the Chouara Tannery, one of the oldest and most famous tanneries in Morocco. From a nearby terrace, you can see the round dyeing pits and learn how leather is prepared, washed, softened, and colored using traditional methods.

The visit may also include Al Attarine Madrasa, a beautiful example of Moroccan architecture with detailed zellij tilework, carved plaster, and cedarwood decoration. You may also pass near Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, one of the most important historic centers of learning in the Islamic world. While entry to some religious sites may be limited, the surrounding area is rich with history, booksellers, old lanes, and traditional life.

Depending on timing and your interests, the guided tour can also include Fes el-Jdid, the Mellah, the Royal Palace gates, or a panoramic viewpoint over the medina. These stops help complete the picture of Fes as a city shaped by different communities, dynasties, trades, and cultural influences.

After the guided visit, return to your riad or enjoy free time to continue exploring at your own pace. This second night in Fes gives you time to rest before the long scenic journey south toward Merzouga and the Sahara Desert the next day.

Overnight in Fes.