Purple Route

This route takes us from Meknes through Moulay Idriss, Volybilis and back to Rabat via Fes with an optional side trip out to Chefchaouen (not to be missed if you have time!).

1. Rabat

The current capital of Morocco.

Highlights:

• The famous Mohammed V Mausoleum,
• Hassan Tower,
• The pretty walled Kasbah of Oudaias.

2. Meknes

Meknes is the fourth of Morocco’s imperial cities and here you will experience 17th century heritage and grand Moorish buildings. Chosen by Sultan Moulay Ismail as his imperial capital the city was built with 20 gates, more than 50 palaces and 15 miles of surrounding walls.

Meknes has become known as the Versailles of Morocco due to its elaborate buildings and monuments. Originally known as Miknasa after the Berber tribe who settled here in the 10th century.

Highlights include:

• Bab El Mansour — an arch at eight meters long, this intricately patterned triumphal arch is argued to be the most beautiful in Morocco.
• The Square of Ruins (Place El-Hedime) — Pass under the arches framed by protruding towers and enter the Square of Ruins.
• The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail — Featuring a suite of three rooms, twelve columns and a sanctuary hosting the sultan, the tombs are reminiscent of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakesh.

3. Moulay Idriss

Moulay Idriss is a dramatic whitewashed town nestled in a fold of the Rif Mountains and considered the holiest town in  as this is where the founder of Islam in Morocco is buried.

4. Volubilis

Travel from high in the Rif Mountains through the fertile agricultural hills to the Roman Ruins at Volubilis, Volubilis is a UNESCO listed site of Roman ruins which date back to AD40. Experiencing this open air museum is a relaxing way to see an important part of Moroccan history.

You will see remains of altars, sculptural fragments and colourful mosaics. This site gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for his film, The Last Temptation of Christ.

5. Fes