The Imperial cities of Morocco

Fez - The oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Fez, also spelled as Fes, was founded under Idrisid rule during the 8th-9th centuries CE.

Chouara Tannery - One of three tanneries in Fez, ancient Chouara, located in the Fes el Bali, the oldest medina quarter of the city, is a visually stunning must-see.

Dar Batha Museum - This 19th-century former royal palace was converted into a museum in the early 20th century.

Marinid Tombs - Located on a hill above the old city of Fez is a set of ruined monumental tombs believed to date back to the 14th century, during the Marinid dynasty.

Marrakesh - Arguably the most visited of Morocco’s imperial cities, Marrakesh was founded in 1070 as the imperial capital of the Almoravid Empire.

Koutoubia Mosque - The largest mosque in Marrakesh, Koutoubia (sometimes spelled Kutubiyya) is set near Jemaa el-Fnaa. The mosque was founded in 1147.

Majorelle Garden - This delightful little botanical garden and artist’s landscape garden encloses a villa that houses Marrakesh’s Islamic Art Museum.

Bahia Palace - Completed in 1900, historic Bahia Palace is celebrated across the region for its decoration.

Volubilis - Always worth an excursion out of Meknes, Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber city that grew rapidly under Roman rule from the 1st century CE.

Dar Jamai Museum - This engaging museum holds a variety of artifacts from Meknes and the surrounding region. Most pieces date from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Rabat - Rabat is the capital city of Morocco. Located on the Atlantic coast at the mouth of the Wadi Bou Regreg, Rabat was founded in the 12th century by Abd al-Mu?min.

Rabat Museum of History and Civilizations - This is where to discover the most extensive collection of archaeological artifacts found in Morocco.

Old Mosque - Rabat's Old Mosque was originally built in 1150, but was largely restored in the 18th century.

Al-Attarine Madrasa - The influential position Fez maintains as a religious center in the region is exemplified by the city’s madrasas, or universities.

Namaskar Palace - Marrakesh caters to all sorts of travelers, from budget backpackers to city-break romantics.

Qara Prison - Sometimes spelled as Kara, this sprawling subterranean prison, built in the 18th century, once contained over 40,000 prisoners.