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.