Morocco has seen many powerful dynasties shape its culture over the centuries. The imperial cities are where their stories still live today. From royal palaces to ancient medinas, each city offers something unique.
Renting a car in Morocco is one of the best ways to explore the country’s historic imperial cities. Rather than being limited by train or bus routes, you can easily connect all of Morocco’s former capital cities in one memorable road trip. Our Morocco travel guide will help you plan your journey and what to expect along the way.
Morocco’s imperial cities are the four historical capital cities of the kingdom: Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes, and Rabat. These royal capital cities of Morocco were under different dynasties. They are known as “imperial” because they showcase the legacy of Morocco’s past rulers.
Travelers can easily see all four in one grand loop by driving between these cities. Modern highways link cities like Rabat, Fez, and Marrakesh. With a car, you can hop from one imperial city to the next in just a few hours each. It’s the perfect way to experience Morocco’s royal history in a single journey.
Belgian travelers can start their road trip in Rabat, Morocco’s current capital, to ease into the country’s culture. Rabat is a coastal city with wide boulevards and a relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal first stop. Drive into town from the airport and park near the Kasbah of the Udayas, an old fortress neighborhood overlooking the Atlantic. Stroll through this charming kasbah’s blue-and-white lanes and enjoy the ocean view as a gentle introduction to Morocco’s imperial heritage.
After the Kasbah, it’s a short drive to two of Rabat’s top sites: the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The Hassan Tower is an unfinished 1195 minaret surrounded by rows of historical columns, which are the remnants of an ambitious mosque project that was never completed. Right next door, the mausoleum houses the tombs of the former king and his sons, guarded by ceremonial sentries. You can easily find parking nearby and walk around these monuments, which showcase exquisite Islamic architecture.
Another quick drive through Rabat’s organized streets brings you to the Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen), the king’s official residence. While the palace is closed to the public, you can view its grand gateway and the complex from outside.
For a deeper dive into history, take a detour by car to the Chellah ruins on the outskirts of Rabat. This peaceful walled ruin was once a Roman city and later a medieval necropolis. Park at the site and wander among crumbling walls, ancient tombs, and gardens where storks nest.
Despite its historical treasures, Rabat feels modern and easy to navigate. The city’s European-influenced layout and calmer traffic especially compared to other major Moroccan cities make it easy to drive around. Road signs are in French and Arabic, and the main avenues are well-marked.
Drive about 2.5 hours east from Rabat on the A2 highway to reach Meknes, the most compact of Morocco’s imperial cities. As you approach Meknes, you’ll see its impressive walls and bastions coming into view. Enter the historic center through the Bab Mansour gate. It’s a massive, beautifully decorated gate that was once the main ceremonial entrance.
There’s a parking area near Place El Hedim, the main square by Bab Mansour, so you can leave your car and explore Meknes on foot. As you step through the gate, you can immediately feel the old imperial grandeur of this 17th-century city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail.
Moulay Ismail was a warrior king who made Meknes his capital, and his legacy is everywhere. A short walk from the square brings you to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, where the sultan is buried in a beautifully ornate tomb. Non-Muslim visitors are allowed in the outer parts of this sacred site, which feature tranquil courtyards and intricate tilework, a rare privilege in Morocco.
Nearby, you can visit the sprawling Royal Stables (Heri es-Souani). These aren’t ordinary stables. They are the ruins of colossal granaries and stables built to house thousands of royal horses. Walking among the stone arches and granary vaults offers a vivid sense of Meknes’s past power.
If you are not in a rush, visit Volubilis, a 30-minute drive north of Meknes. This UNESCO World Heritage site of Roman ruins is known for its intact mosaics and capitol columns set against rolling hills. Volubilis was once the capital of ancient Mauretania and now serves as an open-air museum of Roman life. After exploring the ruins, stop by the nearby holy town of Moulay Idriss, perched on twin hills, before heading back to Meknes. It’s the most sacred place in Morocco because Moulay Idriss el Akhbar was buried here.
From Meknes, it’s only about a one-hour drive along the A2 highway to Fez, Morocco’s oldest imperial city. Fez is often called the country’s spiritual and cultural heart. As you arrive, you’ll want to park outside the Fez el-Bali medina (old city), since this UNESCO-listed medina is a car-free maze of narrow alleys. Secure parking lots are available near the main gates, such as Bab Boujloud (the Blue Gate) and around the Batha area. Fez el-Bali is a dense walled city of over 9,000 winding streets that has barely changed in centuries.
Inside the medina, history comes alive. Visit Al-Qarawiyyine University, founded in 859 AD, which is widely regarded as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. While non-Muslims can’t enter the prayer hall, the complex’s stunning architecture can be appreciated from courtyards or rooftop cafés nearby. As you explore, you’ll see madrasas, artisan workshops, and the famous Chouara Tanneries, where leather is dyed in large stone pits using traditional methods that date back over 1,000 years.
The Chouara Tannery is one of Fez’s most iconic sights. You’ll watch local artisans dye leather in vibrant pits, using natural ingredients and centuries-old techniques. The colors, smells, and sounds of the tannery show Fez’s identity as Morocco’s handicraft capital.
After exploring the tannery, drive up to Borj Nord, a 16th-century fortress built by the Saadians. Today, it houses a small arms museum, but its real draw is the sweeping panoramic view of Fez’s old city. You can admire the sea of earth-toned rooftops and tall minarets that define the skyline from this high point.
Consider staying in a traditional riad (guesthouse) in or near the medina. Many riads are restored palaces offering authentic Moroccan design and hospitality. Some are located at the edge of the medina and have nearby parking.
Fez can feel intense, with its busy alleys. You can drive into the new town for a calmer atmosphere or escape to the Middle Atlas Mountains. Scenic towns like Ifrane and Azrou are just an hour away. Fez has held the title of imperial capital for over 400 years combined, making it a key stop in any Moroccan road trip.
Buckle up for the longest leg of the journey. Marrakesh is a 6-hour drive from Fez to Marrakesh via highway. Many travelers break up this trip with an overnight stop along the way. You could detour through the Middle Atlas mountains, stopping in a town like Beni Mellal, or drive via Casablanca and rest there before continuing to Marrakesh.
Either way, by the time you reach Marrakesh in the south, you’ll have traversed a large swath of Morocco’s landscape, from fertile plains to mountain vistas. Marrakesh, often nicknamed the “Red City” for its rose-colored walls and buildings, is a dazzling finale to the imperial cities tour.
Once you arrive, find parking near the medina. There are supervised parking lots just outside Marrakesh’s old city walls, especially near landmarks like Koutoubia Mosque or around Bab Doukkala. It’s best to leave your car there, because Marrakesh’s medina is congested and mostly to be explored on foot or by horse carriage.
From the parking area, you can walk or take a short taxi ride to your accommodation if it’s inside the pedestrian-only lanes. Then dive into the sights and sounds of Marrakesh’s UNESCO-listed medina. Here are some must-see attractions once you’re on foot in Marrakesh’s historic center:
You can also venture beyond Marrakesh for some incredible half-day trips with your car. For example, a 45-minute drive southeast brings you to the Ourika Valley in the Atlas Mountains, where you can hike to waterfalls and enjoy cooler air among terraced Berber villages.
Alternatively, drive about an hour west of the city to visit the Agafay Desert, a rocky desert landscape where you can try a camel ride or quad biking with the Atlas peaks on the horizon. These side trips are easily doable thanks to the flexibility of having your vehicle. You can leave Marrakesh in the morning, have an adventure in nature, and return by evening to dine in a rooftop restaurant overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa.
A road trip through Morocco’s imperial cities is a journey into the country’s royal past. For Belgian travelers in Morocco, driving offers the freedom to move freely and see more than any guided tour could cover. In one trip, you’ll experience the distinctive character of each former capital from Fez’s ancient scholarly streets to Marrakesh’s vibrant marketplaces.
Rent a car with Finalrentals and easily pick up your vehicle upon arrival from various locations, including Agadir, Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, and more. When you rent with us, you get free cancellation, no hidden charges, and a fair fuel policy.
