MOROCCO IMPERIAL CITIES Self Driving Tour

MARRAKECH, Imperial City and turistic capital

Jama El f´na square, Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2001, the most lively square in Africa, especially in the late afternoon. Tireless handicrafts vendors, food stalls, folkloric groups, snakes enchanters,... and a multitude of tourists !

MARRAKECH, the "southern gate"

The Seven Saints of Marrakesh (Sab´atu Rijal), an institution created in the early 18th century to attract pilgrims when Sufism was at the height of its popularity, and firmly established today...

MARRAKECH, the "red city"

The walls of Marrakesh, 19 km around the medina, built by the Almoravids in the 12th century with lime and red-orange clay, originating the nickname "red city". Maximum height of 5.8m, 20 doors and 200 towers !

MARRAKECH, the "southern pearl"

The Menara gardens were built in 1130 by the Almohad caliph Abde Almumine, west of the medina. The lake is supplied with water from the mountains carried by a hydraulic system over 20 km, and irrigates gardens and orchards with a sophisticated system of underground channels called qanat.

MARRAKECH, مراكش in Arabic, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ in Berber

The medina of Marrakech, a World Heritage Site since 1985, is the primitive city, surrounded by walls, fortified, with streets full of shops and street vendors, with the largest Berber souk (traditional market), in addition to 18 specialized souks, where the most various products are made and sold, from traditional Berber rugs to modern consumer electronics.

ESSAOUIRA, a antiga Mogador

In 1506, the Portuguese under the command of Diogo de Azambuja built a fort here : Castelo Real de Mogador. Soon attacked by the Berbers, it started to be occupied by the Moroccans in 1525.

ESSAOUIRA, more than a small port...

Named Essaouira since the 18th century, when it became the country's exporting port, under the decision of the Sultan of Morocco.

ESSAOUIRA, الصويرة in Arabic, Amegdul in Berber

18th century city with a medieval town, surrounded by fortified walls, flower beds and the Atlantic Ocean. The medina is a Unesco World Heritage since 2009.

ESSAOUIRA, the "Wind City, Afrika"

Considered the most pleasant beach resort in Morocco, due to its extensive sands, dunes and the historic center. Known by windsurf lovers for its winds.

CASABLANCA, the economic capital and 3rd turistic city of Morocco

Largest city (5.5 million inhabitants), port and industrial and commercial center in Morocco ! With many places to visit : the Mohammed V square, the old medina (Bab Marrakech), the Art Deco facades, the Sidi Abderrahman marabout,...

CASABLANCA, الدار البيضاء in Arabic, ad-Dār al-Bayḍā ’, the White House

The great Hassan II mosque, the 3rd largest in the world (after the mosques in Mecca and Medina), built over the sea between 1986 and 1993. Famous for the large 200m minaret.

CASABLANCA, a symbol of the French protectorate

Casablanca became an important economic center and the largest port in Africa during the colonization that began in 1907, when French troops disembarked to help French workers attacked by Moroccans while building a railroad passing through a cemetery.

RABAT, Imperial City and the capital of Morocco

Founded in 1150 by the Almohad caliph Abde Almumine, who built a fortress, a mosque and a residence there. Imperial city since 1660 and capital of the French Protectorate in Morocco between 1912 and 1956.

RABAT, a rich cultural heritage

Since 2012, Rabat has 9 sites registered on Unesco's World Heritage Site as cultural goods : Hassan Tower (minaret above) and mosque, new city (built at the beginning of the French Protectorate in Morocco), Casbá dos Oudaias, Essais garden, medina, Almohad walls and doors, Chellah, mausoleum of Mohammed V and habous district of Diour Jamaâ.

RABAT, الرباط in Arabic, ar-Ribaāṭ, literally "fortified place", Errbaṭ in Berber

Completed in 1971 and considered a masterpiece of modern architecture from the Alawite dynasty, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V contains the tombs of the Moroccan king and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Mulai Abdalá.

CHEFCHAOUEN, شفشاون, Shafshawan or Shawan in Arabic, ⵜⵛⴻⴼⵜⵛⴰⵡⴻⵏ, Accawen in Berber

Founded in 1471 by Mulei Ali Ibn Rachid, the 1st mayor, a descendant of Saint Moulay Abdeslam and Maomé, nicknamed Barraxe, also the city's initial name.
Chefchaouen means "the horns" for the Kelaa and Megu mountains, in which it is located, in the foothills of the Rife mountains.

CHEFCHAOUEN, sacred city

Chefchaouen houses 20 mosques and oratories, 11 zauias and 17 mausoleums, including the tomb of the patron saint of the Jebala region, the Sufi Moulay Abdeslam Ben Mchich Alami (1140-1227), one of the "four pillars of Islam": seven visits to his tomb in consecutive years are equivalent to a pilgrimage to Mecca.

VOLUBILIS, وليلي in Arabic, Oualili or Walila

Ancient Roman city, founded in the 3rd century BC, taken several times by local tribes, never regained by Rome due to its remote location, and finally in the 8th century capital of the Idrissid dynasty, the 1st Muslim state of Morocco. Destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, rediscovered in the 20th century through excavations. Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997.

MEKNES, Imperial City, the "Versailles of Morocco" or "little Paris"

Located on the Saïs plateau, between the Middle Atlas and Rife mountains. Named after the Meknassa Berber tribe that established its camp in the 9th century. Surrounded by a triple belt of walls that houses the sultan's palace and a citadel of the caliphate of Almohada.

MEKNES, "the city of a hundred minarets"

Imperial City since it was the capital during the reign of the prominent Alawite sultan Mulei Ismail (1672-1727) who used the confiscated money of Christian sailors captured at sea and imprisoned in the huge underground prison under the Meknes medina, to build gardens, monumental doors, fortifications, giant walls (40km perimeter) and numerous mosques with beautiful minarets.

MEKNES, مكناس in Arabic, ⴰⵎⴻⴽⵏⴰⵙ, Ameknas literally "warrior", in Berber

The population is mostly young and of Berber origin, mainly from the Atlas tribes, although there is a considerable percentage of Rifians.
The historic center of Meknes with the medina, the most popular area, has been classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco since 1996.

FEZ, Imperial City and 2nd largest city of Morocco

Founded in 789 by Mulei Idris. Capital of Morocco on several occasions. Fez has 3 distinct parts : Bali (Fez the Old, the medina, classified as World Heritage by Unesco since 1981), Fez Jdid (Fez the New, designed and built by the French during the colonial period), Méchouar (complex of the royal palace)

FEZ, famous for its secular craftsmanship

Tourism is the main economic sector of Fez and supports the rich local craftsmanship, whose traditions have been carefully preserved from father to children for many generations.

FEZ, a labyrinth surrounded by walls and doors

Incredible Fez, where you can get lost in the medieval labyrinth inside the medina, very rich in heritage, or go around the walls that surround it, admiring the various doors, all with their own characteristics : Bab el Guissa, Bab Ftouh, Bab Jdid, Bab Boujloud,...

FEZ, فـاس in Arabic, ⴼⴰⵙ in Berber

Fez houses the University of Quaraouiyine, supposedly the oldest in the world still in operation, created in 859, one of the most important religious and cultural centers of the golden Islamic era, attracting numerous scholars and mystics, including Christians like Gerbert d 'Aurillac, future Pope Silvestre II.

MARRAKECH, Imperial City and turistic capital

MARRAKECH, the "southern gate"

The Seven Saints of Marrakesh (Sab´atu Rijal), an institution created in the early 18th century to attract pilgrims when Sufism was at the height of its popularity, and firmly established today...

MARRAKECH, the "red city"

MARRAKECH, the "southern pearl"

MARRAKECH, مراكش in Arabic, ⵎⵕⵕⴰⴽⵛ in Berber

ESSAOUIRA, a antiga Mogador

In 1506, the Portuguese under the command of Diogo de Azambuja built a fort here : Castelo Real de Mogador. Soon attacked by the Berbers, it started to be occupied by the Moroccans in 1525.

ESSAOUIRA, more than a small port...

Named Essaouira since the 18th century, when it became the country's exporting port, under the decision of the Sultan of Morocco.

ESSAOUIRA, الصويرة in Arabic, Amegdul in Berber

18th century city with a medieval town, surrounded by fortified walls, flower beds and the Atlantic Ocean. The medina is a Unesco World Heritage since 2009.

ESSAOUIRA, the "Wind City, Afrika"

Considered the most pleasant beach resort in Morocco, due to its extensive sands, dunes and the historic center. Known by windsurf lovers for its winds.

CASABLANCA, the economic capital and 3rd turistic city of Morocco

CASABLANCA, الدار البيضاء in Arabic, ad-Dār al-Bayḍā ’, the White House

The great Hassan II mosque, the 3rd largest in the world (after the mosques in Mecca and Medina), built over the sea between 1986 and 1993. Famous for the large 200m minaret.

CASABLANCA, a symbol of the French protectorate

RABAT, Imperial City and the capital of Morocco

RABAT, a rich cultural heritage

VOLUBILIS, وليلي in Arabic, Oualili or Walila

MEKNES, "the city of a hundred minarets"

Summary

MOROCCO 9 days, 8 nights

Imperial Cities & Atlantic Coast

Marrakech (2 nights) ↠ Essaouira ↠ Casablanca ↠ Chefchaouen ↠ Fez (2 nights) ↠ Casablanca

Forget the stress of everyday life, take a little break to spend a few days in fabulous landscapes !

The four Imperial Cities of Morocco (Marrakech, Rabat, Meknes, Fez), but also the pearl of the Atlantic coast Essaouira, the economic capital Casablanca, the sacred city of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis,…

It is a complete program to discover Morocco, its very rich history, its famous and typical cities, its mosques and monuments, its local crafts,...

The landscapes of the cities, plains, seaside, mountains,... scroll before your eyes between site visits.

The hospitality of the Moroccans, the delicious cuisine,... complete to make this trip exceptional and unforgettable.

HIGHLIGHTS

This self driving tour is centered on the discovery of 7 Moroccan cities (including the Imperial Cities), all as beautiful as interesting : Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Meknes and Fez.

But not only !

It intends to make you discover many other facets of this fabulous country :

* the variety and beauty of the landscapes : the light-flooded plains where ancestral agriculture is perpetuated, the rugged ocean coastline between Essaouira and Rabat, the pretty fishing ports of Safi and El Jadida, the towns and villages nestled in the mountains,...

* splendid and unexpected natural sites like the Roman ruins of Volubilis

* the ancestral traditions

* the welcoming, kind and helpful people

* the comfortable and superbly decorated riads, with patios and terraces where it is good to relax and spend a privileged moment

* the gastronomy full of flavors and delights : tagines, couscous, kebabs, pastries and of course the ritual of mint tea

* the typical and colorful craftmanship, in search of the souvenir object that you will bring back to decorate your interior

Route Map

M - Itinéraire Maroc Cités impériales.jp

C

D1 Arrival in Marrakech A

D2 Sightseeing day in Marrakech (35 km)

D3 Marrakech - Essaouira B (170 km)

D4 Essaouira - Casablanca C (370 km)

D5 Casablanca - Rabat - Chefchaouen D (340 km)

D6 Chefch. - Volubilis E - Meknes F - Fez G (265 km)

D7 Sightseeing day in Fez (20 km)

D8 Fez - Casablanca C (305 km)

GUIDE AND ASSISTANCE VEHICLE : Yes or No ?

* The guide is permanently at the disposition of the group.

* The guide speaks several languages, including necessarily English and the language of the country, this can be very helpful if you do not master it enough.
* The guide knows the route and opens the convoy with the assistance vehicle, stopping at the best points of view.

* The assistance vehicle carries the first aid kit, any excess baggage,...
* If necessary, the guide activates external services (insurance, mechanical repair, rescue,...).
* The guide takes care of check-in and check-out in hotels, restaurant orders, access to national parks, tourist sites entrance fees and any other means of transport (local taxis, boat, plane),...

* Last but not least... the guide tells you about the country, the regions crossed, or even the places visited (when there is no local professional guide).

PRIVATE LOCAL DRIVER : Yes or No ?

* If you do not choose the Executive Van option, the Private local driver is an option, that will allow you to rest during the journeys (sometimes long) by car, to appreciate the landscapes, to easily ask your way if you get lost, ... for a reasonable additional cost.

* The local private driver speaks Arabic, generally French, more rarely another language.

But ... If you like to drive and prefer to stay between yourselves, the local private driver is not necessary, especially since the guide and the assistance vehicle accompany you throughout the journey.

Accomodation