Start with a timed guided visit to Hassan II Mosque on the waterfront; aim for a morning tour, since visitor slots are set around prayer times and can change. The visit usually takes about an hour, though allow extra time for security and the scale of the complex. Entry is roughly 130 MAD for adults; check the mosque’s official schedule before setting out and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. From central Casablanca, a petit taxi is the easiest way there—agree on the meter before you leave.
Walk or take a short taxi ride to La Sqala, a garden restaurant inside an old Portuguese bastion near the Old Medina of Casablanca. Set aside around 100–180 MAD per person for lunch, then spend an unhurried hour browsing the medina’s compact lanes and small shops. Keep valuables tucked away and expect friendly approaches from shopkeepers; a polite “la, shukran” is enough if you’re not interested.
Take a petit taxi southeast to Quartier Habous for its orderly arcades, bookshops, and artisan stores; late afternoon is a pleasant time to browse, though some shops may close around prayer or earlier than you expect. Finish back near the Old Medina at Rick’s Café—reserve ahead, especially for dinner, and budget about 250–450 MAD per person. Its restored mansion and Casablanca-film atmosphere make it a memorable final stop; taxis are easy to find nearby afterward.
Assuming you reach Rabat early, take a petit taxi from Rabat-Agdal to theKasbah of the Udayas—about 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic. Give yourself around 1½ hours to wander its blue-and-white lanes and pause at the lookout over the Bou Regreg; the kasbah is free to explore, and the morning is cooler and quieter. Then spend about 45 minutes in the Andalusian Gardens**, tucked inside the kasbah, for a shady breather before heading toward the old town.
Walk about 15 minutes from the kasbah into the Rabat Medina and browse Rue des Consuls, a historic shopping street lined with craft and carpet shops. Prices are often negotiable, so take your time and compare before buying. For lunch, it’s roughly a 10–15-minute walk to Dar Naji, near Bab Chellah; allow about 1½ hours for a relaxed meal on the terrace. Budget around 100–180 MAD per person.
From Dar Naji, take a petit taxi or allow about 25–30 minutes to walk to Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. Set aside about 1½ hours to see the unfinished minaret and the mausoleum’s finely decorated interior; entry is free, but check locally for visiting hours and dress respectfully. The open site can be sunny, so bring water and a hat.
Assuming you arrive in Fes mid-morning, leave your bags at your riad and head to Bab Bou Jeloud to begin the medina walk; allow about 20 minutes for the gate and its busy entrance lanes. From there, follow Talaa Kebira to Bou Inania Madrasa—roughly a 5–10-minute walk—and give the carved cedar, zellij and courtyard about an hour. It generally opens during daytime visiting hours, but prayer times can affect access; check locally before setting off. Expect an admission charge of roughly 20–30 MAD.
Continue deeper into the medina to the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts in Nejjarine Square, around a 15–20-minute walk. The restored funduq and its woodworking collection are worth an unhurried hour; budget roughly 20–30 MAD for entry and check the day’s opening hours on arrival. The lanes are easy to lose yourself in, so save the square’s name on your map or ask a shopkeeper for directions.
Retrace your way toward Bab Bou Jeloud for lunch at Cafe Clock, in a restored medina house; allow about 1½ hours and around 100–180 MAD per person. Afterward, walk back into central Fes el Bali to the Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum—roughly 15–20 minutes, depending on the lanes you take. Give the shrine and surrounding streets about 45 minutes; non-Muslim visitors cannot enter the sanctuary, but you can admire its exterior and the activity around this important religious site. Keep a little flexibility in the schedule: arriving from Rabat means this is a full, late-starting day.
Start at Chouara Tannery in Fes el Bali while the vats are busy and the light is good; allow about 45 minutes to view them from one of the surrounding terraces. The terraces are usually free to enter, though attendants may expect a small tip, and the pungent smell is part of the experience—many offer mint to hold under your nose. From there, continue on foot through the medina to Al-Attarine Madrasa, beside the Qarawiyyin Mosque. Plan around 45 minutes for the carved plaster, cedarwood and zellij; opening times can shift, so check at the entrance, and budget roughly 20–30 MAD for admission.
Take a breather at The Ruined Garden, a peaceful courtyard restaurant tucked into the medina, for a relaxed lunch among old stonework; expect about 120–220 MAD per person and consider reserving, especially on a Sunday. Afterward, take a petit taxi toward Fes el Jdid for the Royal Palace of Fes. Visitors can’t go inside, but the grand brass doors are worth a stop from the public square; allow about 30 minutes. Agree on the taxi fare before setting off or ask for the meter.
Finish at the Borj Nord Museum of Arms, on the hill above the medina. The collection is housed in a historic fort, and the terrace gives you a sweeping view across the rooftops—a lovely way to take in the city after a busy day. Allow around 1½ hours, including the climb or taxi ride up; check current museum hours before heading over, as they can vary, and keep roughly 20–30 MAD handy for admission. A petit taxi is the easiest way back down after your visit.
After your Fes–Marrakech train, drop your bags at your riad and take a petit taxi or walk to Bahia Palace; allow roughly 15–25 minutes from the station, depending on traffic and where you’re staying. It’s usually open during daytime hours, often until around 5pm, so head there first and check the closing time when you arrive. Budget about 70 MAD for entry and an hour or so for the courtyards, painted ceilings, and gardens. Then wander the nearby lanes of the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, for a short look at its market streets—an hour is lovely, but keep an eye on the clock if you arrive late.
Continue north through the medina to Nomad in Rahba Kedima for a late lunch; its rooftop is a welcome breather after the train, with modern Moroccan dishes and views over the rooftops. Set aside about 150–250 MAD per person, and reserve if you can. From there, browse the Marrakech Souks at an unhurried pace—choose a few craft lanes rather than trying to cover them all, and agree on a price before buying. Finish at Jemaa el-Fnaa as the food stalls and performers gather; it’s liveliest around sunset and into the evening. This is a full day after a long rail journey, so if your train arrives too late for the palace’s last entry, check whether you can visit it early tomorrow rather than rushing through the whole medina.
Book a timed entry for Jardin Majorelle in advance and aim for an early slot; it’s a popular visit, and the paths feel calmer before the day heats up. Allow about 1½ hours for the cobalt-blue villa, cactus garden, and shaded corners. Tickets are typically around 170–200 MAD, with prices and entry arrangements subject to change. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum is right next door, so walk over for its fashion displays and exhibitions; give it another 1½ hours and check its current hours when booking, as museum schedules can vary.
Take a petit taxi toward Koutoubia Mosque—roughly 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic—and admire the minaret and gardens from outside; non-Muslim visitors can’t enter the prayer hall. After about 45 minutes, walk or take a short taxi to Le Jardin in Mouassine for a late lunch in its leafy courtyard. Set aside around 1½ hours; expect roughly 150–250 MAD per person, and booking is sensible at busy times.
From Le Jardin, stroll through the nearby lanes to Le Jardin Secret. Spend about 1½ hours exploring its restored riad gardens and heading up to the rooftop for a view over the medina rooftops. It generally stays open into the early evening, but check the day’s closing time before you go; the visit is an easy, unhurried finish to a full day.
Start at the Saadian Tombs in the Kasbah, ideally close to opening (often around 9am; check locally as hours and ticket arrangements can change). Give the quiet, intricately decorated mausoleums and garden about an hour. Then walk a few minutes to El Badi Palace for its immense, weathered courtyards and the storks often perched on the walls; allow around 1½ hours to explore. Budget roughly 100 MAD per site, and bring water—the palace grounds offer little shade.
After the ruins, head to Les Bains de Marrakech in the Kasbah for a two-hour hammam break. Reserve ahead, especially if you want a specific treatment; prices vary by package, and the traditional scrub can be vigorous, so mention any preference for gentler treatment when booking. Ask the hammam to arrange a petit taxi onward, or take one toward Guéliz; allow about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
Book a table at Al Fassia in Guéliz, a warmly regarded, women-run restaurant known for Moroccan classics. Plan on about 1½ hours and roughly 200–350 MAD per person, before drinks; reservations are a good idea for dinner. It’s a relaxed finish after a full day, and a petit taxi back to your riad is usually easiest—agree on the fare or ask for the meter before setting off.
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