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The oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Fez, also spelled as Fes, was founded under Idrisid rule during the 8th-9th centuries CE. Visitors to Fez invariably seek out the city’s medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fez is notable for its outstanding collection of historic merchant buildings, bathhouses, palaces, and private residences. Many feature beautiful facades richly decorated with tiles of colorful geometric patterns and cursive calligraphy.
Marked by a tall, slender minaret in the heart of Fes al-Beli, the oldest walled part of Fez, this shrine contains the tomb of Idris II (791-828), considered the founder of Fez. It’s one of the holiest shrines in Morocco.
This 19th-century former royal palace was converted into a museum in the early 20th century. It houses a vast and valuable collection of well over 6,000 artifacts, pieces that include architectural fragments from the Idrisid era.
Located on a hill above the old city of Fez is a set of ruined monumental tombs believed to date back to the 14th century, during the Marinid dynasty. They were originally a royal necropolis, the interiors of which would have featured rich ornamentation and colorful marble epitaphs.
Fez is renowned for its many traditional crafts, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the shops and stores that line the tangle of streets and alleys of the souks found within the high walls of the historic medina. Browse at leisure for an authentic souvenir while absorbing the color and clamor of this wonderful open market.
Arguably the most visited of Morocco’s imperial cities, Marrakesh was founded in 1070 as the imperial capital of the Almoravid Empire. The city grew rapidly and established itself as a regional cultural, religious, and trading hub. The enchanting Jemaa el-Fnaa (pictured) is the busiest square in Africa. The entire medina quarter is a World Heritage Site.
The largest mosque in Marrakesh, Koutoubia (sometimes spelled Kutubiyya) is set near Jemaa el-Fnaa. The mosque was founded in 1147, though what you see today dates from 1158. The minaret, considered a classic example of Almohad architecture, provides a suitably dramatic skyline landmark.
Looking to stock up on herbs and spices? The souk is where to find and barter for all sorts of exotic condiments, seasonings that include cayenne, cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, aniseed, and cumin. Even if you decide not to purchase anything, the nose-tingling aromas are simply intoxicating.
Marrakesh caters to all sorts of travelers, from budget backpackers to city-break romantics. But if you’re seeking a private and palatial splurge, consider a stay at the plush Palais Namaskar. This luxury oasis incorporates a spa retreat and a noted fine dining restaurant.
Always worth an excursion out of Meknes, Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber city that grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century CE. In the late 8th century it became the seat of Idris ibn Abdallah, founder of the Idrisid dynasty. Today it is a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO for being "an exceptionally well preserved example of a large Roman colonial town on the fringes of the Empire."
Head out of Meknes and explore Moulay Idriss, an extraordinary hilltop town overlooking Volubilis and where the tomb of Idris I, the first major Islamic ruler of Morocco, is located.
Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids initially as a military garrison, Meknes became the capital of Morocco under the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismailf (1672-1727). It lost its status as capital and suffered considerable damage in the 1755 earthquake (famous for devastating Lisbon, in Portugal).
Visitors to Meknes will no doubt pass under this monumental structure, which dates from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was originally the main entrance to the kasbah. UNESCO protected, it’s one of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Rabat is the capital city of Morocco. Located on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Wadi Bou Regreg, Rabat was founded in the 12th century by Abd al-Muʾmin, the first Almohad ruler. It currently holds the title of Imperial City.
Rabat's Kasbah of the Udayas, along with other sites in the city, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's ringed by a fortified wall that incorporates Bab Oudaia, a monumental gate regarded by many as one of most beautiful gates of Almohad and Moroccan architecture.
Entering the kasbah, these days a mostly residential enclave, is to step into a world painted by blue and white, the distinctive colors chosen by homeowners to decorate their properties.
Rabat's Old Mosque was originally built in 1150, but was largely restored in the 18th century. The mosque's minaret, pictured illuminated at dusk, is a distinctive architectural feature of the kasbah.
Anyone interested in history or archaeology should wander the chellah, the ruins of a medieval fortified necropolis, which is sited over Roman and Phoenician foundations. Still standing is the ancient minaret, the top of which serves as a nesting site for resident storks.
The tombs of Mohammed V of Morocco and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah, are found in this mausoleum, a splendid example of modern Alaouite dynasty architecture.
Sources: Britannica
See also: The top North African destinations to add to your bucket list.
Completed in 1900, historic Bahia Palace is celebrated across the region for its decoration. Its wall features stucco carved with Arabic inscriptions, geometric patterns, and arabesques. The Grand Courtyard (pictured) is paved with Italian Carrara marble. The palace is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Morocco.
Sometimes spelled as Kara, this sprawling subterranean prison, built in the 18th century, once contained over 40,000 prisoners. Built on the orders of Moulay Ismail Ben Sharif, the Sultan of Morocco from 1672 to 1727, Qara by all accounts was a terrible place to end up in. Few of those incarcerated here came out alive.
If you’re fortunate enough to be invited into a private home in old Meknes, expect to be greeted by warm hospitality and an interior as attractive as this and which reflects the history and culture of the imperial Berber Muslim dynasty that was the Almoravids.
This delightful little botanical garden and artist’s landscape garden encloses a villa that houses Marrakesh’s Islamic Art Museum, the Berber Museum, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, inaugurated in 2017. Incidentally, after the French fashion designer died in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the Majorelle Garden.
At the other end of the timeline, the Museum Mohamed VI of Modern and Contemporary Art exhibits the works of 200 Moroccan artists. It also curates international art collections.
One of three tanneries in Fez, ancient Chouara, located in the Fes el Bali, the oldest medina quarter of the city, is a visually stunning must-see. They’ve been working Chouara for centuries, where the round stone vessels filled with natural colorants used for dying the hides of cows, sheep, and camels provide a fascinating glimpse into labor-intensive production methods unchanged since medieval times.
The historic royal necropolis in Marrakesh known as the Saadian Tombs dates to the time of the Saadian dynasty, and especially to the reign of Ahmad al-Mansur (1578-1603). Resplendent in its luxurious decoration and interior design, the site is another hugely popular tourist draw.
The influential position Fez maintains as a religious center in the region is exemplified by the city’s madrasas, or universities. Many of these ancient institutions can be visited, including Al-Attarine. Pictured is an interior view of Al-Attarine, built by the Marinid sultan Abu al-Hassan in 1323–1325. It's one of the most richly-decorated historic madrasas in the city.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is edged along one side by the Marrakesh souk, a traditional North African covered market. Here you can easily lose yourself among the maze of food and artisan stores that cater to locals and visitors alike. A pair of bejeweled slippers (pictured) make a quirky souvenir.
This is where to discover the most extensive collection of archaeological artifacts found in Morocco. The museum houses prehistoric and pre-Islamic collections, including many objects uncovered by archaeologists working in Volubilis, Banasa, and Thamusida. The antique bronzes unearthed at Volubilis are of particular note.
This engaging museum holds a variety of artifacts from Meknes and the surrounding region. Most pieces date from the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum is certainly worth investigating, not least for its traditional decoration of sculptured and painted wood, carved stucco, and dazzling Zellij tilework.
As the four historical capital cities of Morocco, Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes, and Rabat are referred to as the country's Imperial Cities. Blending a rich and fascinating history with a colorful and exotic culture, each of these destinations dazzle with their extraordinary wealth of impressive visitor attractions, many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ready to explore?
Click through and discover this capital quartet and find out where to go and what to see.
Morocco's dazzling historic capitals
Exploring Morocco's four historic capitals
TRAVEL North africa
As the four historical capital cities of Morocco, Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes, and Rabat are referred to as the country's Imperial Cities. Blending a rich and fascinating history with a colorful and exotic culture, each of these destinations dazzle with their extraordinary wealth of impressive visitor attractions, many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ready to explore?
Click through and discover this capital quartet and find out where to go and what to see.