Morocco's Imperial Cities and the Sahara: A First-Timer's Route

If you have never been to Morocco, the classic route links the four imperial cities (Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat) with a night or two in the Sahara near Merzouga. Allow roughly eight to ten nights so that the long drives do not eat into the sightseeing. It is a trip of old walled medinas, riads, mint tea and wide desert skies, and it suits first-time visitors well.

The four imperial cities

Morocco's dynasties moved their capitals around, which is why four cities carry the "imperial" label. Each has a different feel, so it helps to know what you are choosing.

Fez is the oldest and the most absorbing. Its medina, Fes el-Bali, is a maze of lanes that is often described as one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Look for the tanneries, the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Al-Qarawiyyin complex, which is closed to most non-Muslim visitors inside but still worth walking around. Give Fez two nights and hire a licensed local guide for the first morning; you will get lost otherwise, and that is part of the charm.

Marrakech is livelier and more tourist-friendly. The Djemaa el-Fna square wakes up in the evening with food stalls, storytellers and musicians. Nearby you will find the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia minaret and the calm of the Majorelle Garden. Two or three nights is comfortable.

Rabat is the capital, calmer and greener, with the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas and a relaxed pace. Meknes is smaller and quieter, and it sits close to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the hill town of Moulay Idriss, so it works well as a stop between Fez and Rabat.

The route that works

Most itineraries run in a loop, entering at Casablanca and leaving from Marrakech, or the reverse. A typical flow looks like this:

1. Arrive in Casablanca, see the Hassan II Mosque, then continue to Rabat.
2. Rabat, then Meknes and Volubilis on the way to Fez.
3. Two nights in Fez.
4. Drive south through the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley to Merzouga for the dunes.
5. Return via the Dades Valley, Todra Gorge and Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech.
6. Two or three nights in Marrakech, then fly home.

The Fez-to-Merzouga leg and the Merzouga-to-Marrakech leg are the long ones. Expect a full day of driving each, with scenic stops. If you would rather not do the whole loop, a shorter version covers Marrakech, Aït Benhaddou and a desert night, then returns.

A night in the Sahara

The dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are the usual destination for desert camps. Visitors typically ride a camel (or walk) into the dunes in the late afternoon, watch the sunset, eat dinner around a fire and sleep in a camp with beds and blankets. Mornings start early to catch sunrise on the sand.

Set your expectations sensibly. Camps range from simple to quite comfortable, nights get cold outside the warmer months, and sand gets into everything. It is a memorable experience, and for most people one night is enough, two if you want to visit local villages or try a 4x4 ride across the dunes.

Best time to go

Spring (roughly March to May) and autumn (roughly October to November) are the most comfortable for combining cities and desert. Summer can be very hot inland, especially around Marrakech and the Sahara, which makes the long drives tiring. Winter is cooler, with cold desert nights and snow possible in the Atlas mountains, but cities are quiet and pleasant by day.

Food, stay and getting around

Expect tagines, couscous (traditionally served on Fridays), pastilla, grilled meats, fresh bread and plenty of mint tea. Vegetarians can manage well with vegetable tagines, couscous and salads, but say so clearly, since broth and meat are common in cooking. Halal food is the norm, and alcohol is limited and not available everywhere.

Stay at least a few nights in a riad, a traditional house built around a courtyard, inside the medina. They are atmospheric, though lanes can be narrow and luggage may need to be wheeled or carried the last stretch.

For getting around, trains are comfortable between the larger cities, but the desert leg is easiest by private vehicle with a driver. This is where an organised trip saves a lot of effort.

Practical points for Indian travellers

• Visa and entry: Rules for Indian passport holders can change. Check the current requirements with the official Moroccan source or with us before you book.
• Flights: There are usually no direct flights from India, so expect a connection via the Gulf or Europe, typically from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru or Chennai.
• Currency: Morocco uses the dirham, and it is generally a closed currency, so exchange only what you need and check the current rules for carrying it.
• Dress: Modest clothing is appreciated, especially in religious sites and smaller towns. Comfortable walking shoes matter more than anything else.
• Food and hygiene: Stick to bottled or filtered water.

Planning your trip

You can see the cities in either direction, add the blue town of Chefchaouen if you have extra days, or end on the coast at Essaouira for a slower finish. If you want a shorter market-focused read, our guide to shopping in Moroccan souks covers what to buy and how to bargain.

Looking for dates or a plan built around your group? See our Morocco trips, our group tours or ask for a custom trip.