Imperial cities of Morocco, Marrakech, Fes, Rabat and Meknes. They invite tourists to explore their intricate medinas on foot. Included in the World Heritage of Unesco. Everywhere you look, you will feel the presence of Arab culture with its palaces, medersas and mosques. Also, a shopping paradise with its bustling souks. Roviding the ideal setting to give in to all kinds of material temptations.
In short, they are vibrant and exotic cities that offer a wide range of experiences to tourists. Among them, tastes, textures, smells, colors and noises, each with its own characteristics.
During your trip through the country, you should not miss Morocco’s imperial cities. They are historical centers of politics, religion and culture. Would you like to know them in depth? We will help you.
The most visited and popular city is Marrakech.
Marrakech is a must-see on any tour in Morocco. Located much further south than the other imperial cities and protected by the Atlas Mountains.
It is considered the cultural center of Morocco. It is advisable to dedicate at least two or three days to get to know it thoroughly. Take time to relax in one of the many hammams or baths.
Starting with the medina, where staying in one of the many riads is the most popular option. Let yourself be carried away by the inertia of the small alleys. As you find unusual buildings such as the largest in Morocco, the Medersa Ben Youssef. Continue on until you reach the bustling area of the souks, where you can find almost everything you are looking for. However, you will have to be agile in the art of bargaining.
Soon you will reach the Jemaa el Fna square. Undoubtedly one of the liveliest places in the city throughout the day. We suggest you go up to the rooftop of one of the surrounding cafes or restaurants. In the morning, at noon or in the evening, to contemplate the view while sipping a Moorish tea. The minaret of the Spanish-Muslim Koutoubia mosque can be seen in the distance, dominating the city skyline.
After exploring the medina. It’s worth venturing a little further afield to find Marrakech’s other must-see attractions. Like the palaces of El Badi and Bahia. Outdoor spaces such as the Palm Grove, the Majorelle Gardens of Yves Saint Laurent or the Menara Gardens. They are among the most evocative places in the city.
No matter how long you spend in Marrakech, you will want to come back. Marrakech wants to come back.
Fes traditional, religious and historical
In Fes there is a lot to do and see. It is best to stay an extra day or two to take advantage of all that this medieval city has to offer. The Medina of Fes-el-Bali is also included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We enter the medina through the famous Bab Boujeloud, also known as the Blue Gate. From this point on, it’s all about strolling and enjoying each new discovery. Including the souks, the historic fountains with their vibrant tiles and the charming squares with their cafes. Some significant structures can also be found. Such as the mausoleum of Mulay Idris II, the Museum of Art, and Nejjarine Handicrafts. The madrasas (Koranic schools) Bou Inania and Al Attarine. In each of them you can appreciate each architectural element, ornamental with the same level of attention to detail that characterizes Islamic architecture.
But if Fes is popular for anything, it is for its four ancient tanneries. The largest of which is located in Chouwara. The spectacle is unforgettable, despite the stench it gives off. It is worth going to at least one of them to see the tanners’ ancestral process up close. They dye the leather by immersing it in hundreds of colored wells.
We recommend climbing to the top of a café or restaurant to get a great perspective of the whole city. Get an idea of the size of Fes-el-Bali. After dinner. Taste a delicious dinner of traditional Fes cuisine as the sun sets behind the minarets and rooftops.
Rabat capital of Morocco
Rabat is the capital and the center of Moroccan institutional life among the four imperial cities. Located near Casablanca and halfway between Fez and Marrakech. It is worthwhile to dedicate at least one day to explore the narrow streets of the medina. Contemplate some of its most remarkable structures.
The trip could begin at the Kasbah of the Oudayas. A fortress that houses some of Rabat’s most exquisite and characteristic sites. This area will take us two or three hours of quiet stroll through its narrow streets. In which are lined facades of white and blue stone. Citadels, French and Andalusian gardens, and the popular beach of Rabat.
We walk ten minutes to reach the medina of Rabat from the Andalusian gardens of the Kasbah. Let yourself be enveloped by its winding streets until you reach the souk, the busiest neighborhood. Undoubtedly, the ideal place to buy after bargaining some usual souvenirs such as djellabas, slippers, carpets or lamps.
Continue the journey to see other of its most famous monuments. The Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V. Remains of an ancient mosque that once had a tower similar to the Giralda of Seville (the architect is the same).
Meknes, Morocco’s great forgotten city
The least visited Moroccan imperial city. It was the former capital of the country in the seventeenth century, is located about 65 kilometers from Fez. It is the most peaceful and genuine Moroccan city. Undoubtedly, the city with the most Moroccan spirit is Meknes, also known as Meknes.
The city is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its medina, with its narrow streets of pastel and ocher colors, invites you to stroll leisurely. Finding a bargain in the souks is pleasant, compared to other more touristy cities. Meknes has cheaper prices and less need to haggle. Afterwards, stroll to El-Hedim square, an ideal meeting point, to admire the magnificent Bab El-Mansour gate. Spend some time studying the intricate architectural details of the Muley Ismail Mausoleum and the Medersa Bou Inania. Two of the most significant structures in the city. Undoubtedly, a visit to magnificent Meknes completes a journey through the imperial cities of Morocco.
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