3 Days Casablanca to Fes Tour — The Imperial Cities of the North
A short, rich culture tour from the Atlantic to the medieval medina of Fes — Rabat, Meknes and Roman Volubilis along the way, no desert driving.
Introduction
The 3-day Casablanca to Fes tour is a compact, culture-rich journey through the imperial north — Rabat, Meknes and Fes — with Roman Volubilis along the way. It's built for travellers who are short on time or who want to understand Morocco's history and cities before heading to the desert. Below is the full day-by-day itinerary, honest pricing, inclusions and practical advice.
Overview
Not every Morocco trip is about the desert. If you've only a few days — a stopover, a long weekend, the start of a longer holiday — this 3-day tour links three of Morocco's four imperial cities and its finest Roman ruin in a single, unhurried arc from Casablanca to Fes. It's history at a human pace: no dawn starts, no eight-hour desert drives, just the mosques, medinas and monuments that shaped the country, ending in the incomparable medieval city of Fes.
It suits culture lovers, families with limited time, and anyone who wants to feel Morocco's depth before (or instead of) heading south to the Sahara.
Why choose this tour
Why choose this imperial-cities tour:
- No desert marathon. Short, scenic drives and rich sightseeing rather than long transfers.
- Three imperial cities + a Roman city in one logical arc from the coast to Fes.
- A proper Fes medina guide included, not a rushed drive-past.
- Effortless to extend into a desert tour from Fes whenever you're ready.
Highlights
- The Hassan II Mosque rising over the Atlantic in Casablanca
- Rabat — Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and Chellah
- Meknes — the imperial city of Moulay Ismail and Bab Mansour
- Roman Volubilis — Morocco's best-preserved ancient city
- The holy hilltop town of Moulay Idriss
- A guided walk through the 1,200-year-old Fes medina
Itinerary
Day 1Day 1: Casablanca → Rabat → Meknes
Morning. We begin at the Hassan II Mosque, its minaret the tallest in the world, built partly over the Atlantic — then drive to Rabat, the capital.
Afternoon. In Rabat: the blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth, the 12th-century Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V, and the Roman-then-Islamic ruins of Chellah. Then east to Meknes.
Evening & accommodation. A riad or hotel in Meknes (or on to Fes if you prefer). Travel time: ~3.5 h with stops · distance: ~230 km. Insider tip: Rabat is Morocco's most relaxed big city — a good gentle introduction if you've just landed. Overnight in Meknes.
Day 2Day 2: Meknes → Volubilis → Moulay Idriss → Fes
Morning. Explore imperial Meknes — the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the vast royal granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail, and the Lahdim square.
Midday. The Roman city of Volubilis, a UNESCO site where columns, arches and astonishingly intact floor mosaics sit against green hills — then the sacred whitewashed town of Moulay Idriss, birthplace of the Moroccan state.
Evening & accommodation. Arrive in Fes and check in to a traditional medina riad. Travel time: ~3 h with stops · distance: ~120 km. Insider tip: Volubilis is magical in late-afternoon light with far fewer crowds. Overnight in Fes.
Day 3Day 3: Fes medina guided tour → tour ends
Morning. A local guide leads a deep walk through Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free urban area in the world: the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque-university, the exquisite Bou Inania and Attarine madrasas, the chouara tanneries seen from a leather-shop balcony, and the souks of the coppersmiths, weavers and spice traders.
Afternoon. The tour ends in Fes. We can drop you at your Fes hotel, the train station for onward travel, or continue your journey to the desert on one of our Fes desert tours. Insider tip: from Fes it's an easy add-on to carry straight on to Merzouga — ask us to combine the two. Breakfast included.
Tour route map
Accommodation
Two nights: one in Meknes (or Fes, on request) and one in a traditional riad in the Fes medina — a restored courtyard house that's an experience in itself. We can make both nights in Fes if you'd rather settle in one place.
Transport
A private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel and an English/French/Spanish-speaking driver-guide. Drives are short and entirely on good paved roads, with easy stops at each city and at Volubilis. There is no off-road or desert travel on this itinerary.
Pick-up & meeting point
Pick-up from your Casablanca hotel or Mohammed V Airport (CMN) on the morning of Day 1, confirmed by WhatsApp the night before. Prefer to start in Rabat or Fes? We can adjust the route — just let us know.
Included & not included
- ✓Private air-conditioned vehicle with fuel & driver-guide
- ✓Casablanca hotel or airport pick-up
- ✓2 nights: Meknes + Fes riad (or 2× Fes on request)
- ✓Local guided tour of the Fes medina
- ✓English / French / Spanish-speaking driver-guide
- ✓Bottled water
- ✗Lunches & drinks
- ✗Monument, mosque & Volubilis entrance fees
- ✗Tips (guide & local guide)
- ✗Travel insurance
- ✗Hotel after Day 3
Pricing
Per person for the private tour; the price falls as your group grows. Easily combined with a desert tour from Fes.
| Group size | Price per person | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | €680 | Private tour |
| 3–4 people | €540 | Private tour |
| 5+ people | €450 | Private tour |
Best time to travel
This tour is comfortable all year — the northern cities are mild in spring and autumn, warm but manageable in summer, and cool and green in winter. Because there's no desert night, extreme desert temperatures don't apply, making it a good choice even in high summer or midwinter.
What to pack
Comfortable walking shoes for the medinas and Volubilis, layers for changeable northern weather, a light rain layer in winter, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. Modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) is appreciated at the Hassan II Mosque and religious sites. See the Morocco packing list.
Travel tips
Insider tips: visit the Hassan II Mosque interior on a morning timed-ticket; wear shoes you can slip off easily for mosque and madrasa visits; and set aside some dirhams for Volubilis entry and tips. Ready to go further? Continue from Fes to the dunes on a 3-day Fes to Merzouga tour, or see all tours from Casablanca.
How booking works
Tell us your dates, group size and starting city by the enquiry form or WhatsApp and you hear back personally, usually within a few hours, with a clear all-in price. A small deposit holds your dates and you pay the balance on arrival, so you never prepay in full. Free cancellation up to 7 days before departure, and we confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the night before.
Booking direct with our Berber family
Hotel Les Roches is our own — we were born at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and have run it since 2004. You deal with the same family that owns the hotel, runs the desert camp and leads the camels, so there is no agency markup, nothing is subcontracted, and the price you are quoted is the price you pay.
What a night at our camp is like
After the sunset camel trek you reach our private camp as the sky turns from gold to deep blue. The tents are proper rooms — a real bed with warm blankets and an en-suite hot shower — and dinner is a home-cooked tagine under the stars, followed by Berber drums around the fire. With no light for a hundred kilometres the Milky Way is astonishing, and you wake early to climb a dune for sunrise.
What our guests say
★★★★★
The hotel is lovely, next to the dunes. We stayed in a reasonably priced, lovely suite. Everything was beautiful and cosy.
JP and Maria · Tripadvisor · 2025
★★★★★
I don't know how you can go wrong with this: a hotel by the dunes, camel rides to a luxury camp, food and entertainment provided. The staff and guides were so happy to make a night of it.
Tyler Findlay · Tripadvisor · 2025
★★★★★
The staff was welcoming, the room cosy, and the camel trek unforgettable. The desert views were breathtaking, and watching the sunrise and sunset was simply magical. Highly recommended.
Robert G. · Tripadvisor · 2024
Related
Frequently asked questions
Does this tour include the desert?
No — it's a culture-focused imperial cities tour with no long desert drives. To add the Sahara, continue from Fes on a Fes desert tour, or choose the 4-day Casablanca to Merzouga tour instead.
Can it start from Casablanca airport?
Yes — we can collect you directly from Mohammed V Airport (CMN) or your Casablanca hotel on the morning of Day 1.
Is three days enough for the imperial cities?
For the northern trio — Rabat, Meknes and Fes — plus Volubilis, yes. Marrakech, the fourth imperial city, sits far to the south and is better paired with a longer tour.
Can you combine this with a desert extension?
Easily. Many guests do these three cultural days, then carry straight on from Fes to Merzouga. Tell us and we'll quote the combined trip as one seamless tour.
Is it suitable for older travellers?
Ideal — the pace is gentle, the drives are short, and the walking (mainly in the Fes medina) can be tailored to your comfort.
How far is Merzouga from Marrakech, and how long is the drive?
It's about 560 km and 8–9 hours over the Tizi n'Tichka pass, which is why the journey is spread over 2–3 days with stops at Aït Ben Haddou, the gorges and the Ziz Valley rather than driven in one go.
How comfortable is the desert camp?
Very — our private luxury camp at Erg Chebbi has en-suite tents with real beds, hot showers, private bathrooms, rugs and plenty of blankets for the cool desert night, plus a Berber dinner under the stars.
Are your tours private or shared?
Every tour is private by default — your own vehicle, driver-guide and flexible pace. Shared group departures are offered only on the Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech and Marrakech–Merzouga–Fes routes.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes. The pace is gentle, the camel ride is optional (we can drive you to camp by 4x4 instead), and we adapt for children and any mobility needs — just tell us when you book.
When is the best time of year to travel?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable, with warm days and cool nights. Winter nights are cold and summer is hot at midday, so we run camel treks at sunrise and sunset.
Have a question before you book?
Message the team directly — we usually reply within a couple of hours.
⚡ Spring & autumn dates fill fast — book ahead. · ✓ Free cancellation up to 48h before arrival.