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Rulers of Morocco: a short history of who's ruled and when
A sequence of dynasties, each leaving a different city as its main legacy.
Written by Morocco Tailored Tours.
Morocco's ruling history is usually told through dynasties, not individual kings. The Idrisids, from the late 8th century, are generally credited as the first Arab-Islamic dynasty to unify the region and found Fez. The Almoravids and then the Almohads followed from the 11th to 13th centuries, both Berber dynasties originating in the south, both responsible for major building in Marrakech.
The Marinids, from the 13th to 15th centuries, ruled from Fez and left much of its madrasa architecture. The Saadians, in the 16th century, are remembered largely through Marrakech, including the Saadian Tombs that survived being sealed off by the dynasty that followed.
The Alaouite dynasty has ruled since the mid-17th century and is Morocco's current royal family. Its best-known early ruler, Moulay Ismail, built Meknes into an imperial capital on a massive scale over a roughly 55-year reign. The Alaouites have held the throne continuously since, through the French and Spanish protectorate period and into full independence in 1956.
The monarchy carries religious weight as well as political weight. The king holds the title Amir al-Mu'minin, Commander of the Faithful, tied to Morocco's status as a monarchy with a claimed lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad. Beyond that general context, current politics is outside what a travel blog should try to cover; for anything more current, an independent news source will serve you better than a tour operator's summary.
Want to see how this works on a real route? Our 7-Day Family Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech and 12-Day Grand Morocco Tour from Casablanca via Tangier, the Sahara and Essaouira are private itineraries we can adjust to fit.
Planning around Rabat? Read the Rabat destination guide, or see 7-Day Family Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech, a sample itinerary that includes it.
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7-Day Family Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
A private 7-day family tour of Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech, built around things children actually remember: a giant mosque over the sea, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, Roman mosaics, wild monkeys in the cedar forest and a night under the stars in a Sahara camp. The pace is gentle at the start and gets wilder as the trip goes on.
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7-Day Family Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech
A private 7-day family tour of Morocco from Casablanca to Marrakech, built around things children actually remember: a giant mosque over the sea, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, Roman mosaics, wild monkeys in the cedar forest and a night under the stars in a Sahara camp. The pace is gentle at the start and gets wilder as the trip goes on.
Visits Chefchaouen · Fez · Sahara Desert · Todra and Dades Gorges · Ait Benhaddou · Marrakech · +5 more
From€1,741(≈ $1,945 USD)€2,048 (≈ $2,290 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027per person, double or twin room
12-Day Grand Morocco Tour from Casablanca via Tangier, the Sahara and Essaouira
A private 12-day Morocco tour that starts at Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque and works clockwise round the country: the Atlantic coast to Tangier, the blue Rif, Fez, two nights in the Sahara, the Atlas kasbahs, Marrakech and finally Essaouira. It is the full country in one trip, with a guided day in each of the two great medinas.
Visits Chefchaouen · Fez · Sahara Desert · Ait Benhaddou · Marrakech · Essaouira · +7 more
From€3,591(≈ $4,010 USD)€4,225 (≈ $4,720 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027per person, double or twin room
13-Day Grand Morocco Circuit from Casablanca
A private 13-day circuit that leaves Casablanca and returns to it, so you fly in and out of the same airport. It takes in two nights in Chefchaouen, a guided day in Fez, a night in the Sahara, two nights in Marrakech with a free day, and the Atlantic coast through Essaouira and El Jadida on the way back.
Visits Chefchaouen · Fez · Sahara Desert · Ait Benhaddou · Marrakech · Essaouira · +7 more
From€4,752(≈ $5,310 USD)€5,590 (≈ $6,245 USD)15% off, reserve by 17 Feb 2027per person, double or twin room