Morocco Architecture Tour

We have a wonderful day ahead of us! Today, our journey will take us from Casablanca to Rabat, a city of enormous beauty that is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a nutritious and energizing meal, we will have the opportunity to visit the nationally renowned archaeological museum, which features artwork and artifacts from the prehistoric and Roman periods.

This morning, we will begin our journey at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art where we can view artworks of Moroccan artists throughout the years. From here, we will make our way to Rabat’s Oudaïa casbah to take in the magnificent architecture of the Oudaïa Gate. Lunchtime, we will cross the Bou Regreg River to Salé, an old walled city, and visit the 14th-century medersa that has been impeccably restored. Returning to Rabat, we will explore the Bank Al-Maghrib Museum and see its numismatic collection that illustrates the history of money in Morocco, along with the art collection of both foreign and native painters. Our day will conclude at the Hassan Tower, a 12th-century landmark.

Departing Rabat, journey to Volubilis to explore this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will be awestruck by intricate and well-preserved Roman mosaics dating back to the 3rd century A.D. After a delicious lunch, experience Meknes, the Imperial City that was established by Sultan Moulay Ismaïl and is now also protected by UNESCO. Visit the Bou Inania Madersa, constructed in classical-style during the 14th century, and Dar Jamaï Museum, housed in a 19th-century palace, where you can learn about traditional Moroccan music. Finally, arrive at Fes, an essential representation of Morocco’s intellectual and spiritual legacy and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To conclude your journey, check in at a charming boutique hotel consisting of three interconnecting homes, complete with deluxe accommodation.

Begin your day with a journey of the ancient city of Fes el-Bali, one of the world’s oldest Moorish cities. Take in the grandeur of the Merenid tombs before heading to the Medersa Bou Inania, Idriss II’s mausoleum and the 14th-century Qaraouin University. Afterwards, visit the 17th-century Nejjarine caravansary, now home to the Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, and the El Attarine Medersa. After a delicious lunch, discover the bustling local life of the city with a tour of the coppersmiths, dyers, and tanners quarters. To end off the day, experience the stunning Fes from the fortifying ramparts of the city.

This morning, we make our way to the renowned Bou Jeloud Gardens, well-known for its archaic irrigation system. As we dive into the fascinating history of Fes New Fes, we start off at the majestic Alouite Palace Gate. We then take a peaceful walk through the walled Jewish quarter, and admire the astonishing Danan Synagogue from the 17th century as well as its cemetery. After our tour, we savor a delicious lunch prior to visiting a zillij tile workshop.

This morning, we set off from Fes, commencing an awe-inspiring adventure across the Atlas Mountain range, through alternating scenes, to the edge of the Sahara Desert. As we travel, we pass through the Middle Atlas, witnessing the last remnants of mighty Mediterranean cedar forests, and make a pause in Ifrane, the location of Africa’s first-rate international college. During our visit, we will search for the Barbary macaques, renowned for their presence in Gibraltar. After a short lunch break in the Berber town of Midelt, we continue to the Eastern High Atlas, renowned for its saturated multicolored landscapes. Finally, we will journey along the Ziz Valley, leading us to the administrative center of Arfoud.

Today we will be exploring Sijilmassa, the mythical “City of Gold” in Africa and the Tafilalet Oasis in Morocco, the largest of its kind. Afterwards, we will proceed to the 18th century Ksar, paying homage to the first Alaouite rulers. At the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Sharif, we will be blessed with a picnic of Saharan delicacies. To continue our adventure, we will drive to Fossils, a factory that shows splendid fossil marble items. To conclude, we will take four-wheel drive vehicles to the Erg Chebbi Dunes. Here, we will have the opportunity to rise 600 feet above the desert floor, climb the dunes or take a camel ride to watch the sun set over the Sahara.

We departed Arfoud at the start of the day and traveled westward, traveling through the desert and hills that were bathed in the warm light of the sun. When we arrived at the Todgha River Gorge, we were amazed by the sight of its 900-foot depth. After, we explored the ancient adobe casbah of Tinghir before having a delicious lunch. Our next destination was the international movie production center of Ouarzazate, which served as the backdrop for the filming of Lawrence of Arabia. Here, we visited the Taourirt Kasbah, which was built in the 19th century by the el Glaoui clan. Though it was not completely restored, the beautiful palace still captivated us with its grandeur.

We depart from the renowned city of Ouarzazate and make our way to the awe-inspiring Aït ben Haddou casbah, the site that served as the backdrop for the iconic movie ‘Gladiator’. We journey northward for roughly 4.5 hours, crossing the majestic Tizi-n-Tichka Pass and its views of voluminous valleys filled with quaint mud-brick dwellings. We arrive at Marrakech in time for a delightful lunch, situated in one of the city’s fanciest boutique hotels located within the old city walls. Later, we explore some of the remarkable local landmarks such as the picturesque Bahia Palace and the newly constructed Dar el Bacha Museum, both of which are situated in important historical buildings. In the evening, we meet up again for a sumptuous Moroccan feast in the middle of the medina.

This afternoon, we will take a journey and absorb the captivating culture of Marrakech. Our first stop is the Souk of wool-dyers or Souk Sebbaghine to observe the handcrafted goods and bazaar, covered in reeds. Later, we’ll make our way to the shrine of BelAbbes, patron saint of the blind, and appreciate its courtyard. For lunch, we’ll enjoy a traditional meal in the medina. The day ends with a tour of the Jardin Majorelle, a 12-acre garden created in the 1930s and restored by Yves St. Laurent, as well as the Museum of Berber Culture. To finish our experience, we’ll savor the taste of the city’s renowned restaurants.

Begin your journey through Marrakech with a visit to the Bab Agnaou, a 19th century gate that still stands tall. Then, make your way to the El Badi Palace, where you can admire the intricate plasterwork and Carrera marble that were once part of the Saadian Dynasty’s grandiose interior decorations. Afterward, explore the historical Jewish Mellah to find the synagogue and take some time to enjoy a meal. Finally, go to Aghmat, the first capital of the Almoravid Dynasty. Although excavation is still taking place, the site is unfortunately closed to the public.

This morning, transfer to Marrakech Airport.