Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour

We meet you in the airport and begin our Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour. We travel to Casablanca, where you have the opportunity to visit the museum of Moroccan Judaism and the impressive Hassan II Mosque that stands on the Atlantic skyline of the country's economic capital. The mosque is located on the Corniche and was built in 1989. It is the second largest temple, after Meca, in the world, and tallest in Morocco. Attention, it is the only mosque (with Tinmel) in Morocco where non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Its beauty is highly appreciated by all visitors.

After that, we will visit the central synagogue of the jewish community in Morocco, the Beth-El temple, admired for its crystal windows. We also visit the temple Neve Shalom, the Temple Em-Habanim & Day School that still works, and the Ettedgui Synagogue in the Mellah museum. The jewish cemetery in Mellah and the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou, are part of the itinerary too if we have the time.

After we will drive to Rabat, administrative capital of Morocco, known as “the city of the gardens". It is famous for the monuments that reflect its Islamic and French colonial legacy. The iconic 12th century Hsan tower minaret dominates the ruins of a mosque next to the Mohamed V Mausoleum.

We will stop to explore the jewish Mellah of Rabat, and we will visit the necropolis at the Chellah, an ancient Roman site with jewish history, where a jazz festival is held annually.

If there is time, it is worth exploring the Medina of Rabat, smaller and quieter than other cities, and the kasbah of the Oudayas.

Then we will follow the route of the Morocco Jewish heritage tour to Meknes, the quietest and least known of the 4 imperial cities. We will visit its jewish neighborhood and the <Meknes zaouia, where the Rabbi David Benmidan is buried.

You can visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ismaïl. We will see the beautiful door Bab Mansour of 1732, the largest in Morocco and North Africa, which gives entrance to the medina. And we'll walk through the square in front of it, that reminds Marrakech. If there is still time we will visit the old barns of Meknes.

Visiting the beautiful Roman ruins of Volubilis, a Unesco heritage city, is a must. This is the most impressive and well-preserved archaeological site in Morocco. There are still vestiges of houses with beautiful mosaics in the city. There are also other spectacular areas such as the thermal baths of Gallien, the forum and the capitol. On the top of the hill, the basilica and the imposing Arch of Caracalla, remain as a gateway to Mediterranean fields. If you like photography you will enjoy the light on the columns and roman ruins.

After the visit we will drive directly to Fes.

We dedicate the day visiting the enigmatic and religious Fes. It was the home of Rabbi Isaac Alfasi. It is the cultural capital and the oldest city of the Imperial cities of Morocco, founded by Idris I (789) and his son Moulay Idris II (810). From the hand of a local guide, Fes city tour takes you to a tale time, while we visit Fes-el-Bali, its chaotic medieval medina, the largest in the world.

Our tour starts in the 7 golden doors of Royal Palace. Beside it, we find the Jewish quarter, first Mellah ever built in Morocco, during the sixteenth century. In the cemetery next to it there are some tombs of jewish saints, one of the most important, saint Silica. Among others, we will visit the Danan Synagogue (thel Ibn Danan) which is very well conserved and one of the oldest synagogues in Morocco.

In the visit, it is essential to approach their medersas (koranic schools) Attarine and Bou Inania, the fountain of Nejjarine, the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss and the Al-Karaouine Mosque, the oldest university in the world. All this walking through the souks of artisans of metal, wood, carpets, ceramics and all kinds of crafts. Raffling wagons pulled by donkeys full of merchandise. We will also have the opportunity to visit Chouara, old tanneries or skin tanners where articles of clothing and bags are made.

After lunch, we will visit a tile and ceramic cooperative. From there, with the car we will go up to the fortress to observe the wonderful panoramic view of Fes. If it is the hour of prayer, it will accompany your visit resonating spirituality from the hundreds of mosques in the city.

After breakfast, we will travel again to the south, 30 km to reach Sefrou, once known as the little Jerusalem. We will shortly visit its Mellah and the Em Habanim school synagogue, as well as its cemetery. In Sefrou there are several saints, including David Arazil, Moshe Elbaz, the Masters of the Cave, and Eliahou Harraoch.

Then we will travel along the Atlas mountains to Beni Mellal. In Beni Mellal you will visit the tomb of the saint Rabbi David Ben Yamin and his wife, Lalla Kherwi’a. The saint couple lie in the synagogue of this little city halfway to Marrakech, where we will arrive the following day. After the visit we will travel directly to our hotel in Bin El Ouidane.

After breakfast we will continue our trip the Morocco Jewish heritage tour towards Marrakesh. On our way we will find the stunning Ouzoud waterfalls. Waterfalls of Ouzoud are about 150 km from Marrakech, 3 hours by car, in the province of Azilal, Middle Atlas. They are the most beautiful and high waterfalls in the whole country with 110 m of height. It’s a brief stop to walk around where we can also find some wild barbary macaques.

The door of the Atlas opens its splendor in Marrakesh, a unique city, epicenter of tourism and crafts. Overflowing its light, the fiery red of its buildings and the refreshing green of its palm trees and gardens. The city vibrates, eclectic, exultant, combining old and modern Moroccan exoticism. Living it is an experience that will shine in a special way on your trip.

The beauty of the ancient city will fascinate you. The music of Jemaa El Fna Square, and the bustle in the impressive souk, the largest in Morocco, will transport you to other times. The adventure of getting lost in the Medina streets until you return to the square. This is undoubtedly a magical place, where it is worth spending hours. Do have a tea or eat in one of its terraces. You will come back to it again and again. During the morning it is full of orange juice stands, jugglers and enchanted snakes. At night, smoke from traditional Moroccan food stands is mixed among musicians, dancers and storytellers who gather in this square declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Free afternoon to visit Jemaa El Fna Square and the souks, of relax in your hotel.

We recommend to visit the great city of Marrakesh with a local guide. You will discover its long history through the famous Koutoubia, the Bahia Palace, the Badi Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa.

Our visit starts in the Jewish Quartier, the Mellah. Recently restored, it is worth the visit of its souks and the beautiful streets of the neighborhood. We will visit the synagogue Salat Alzama and from there, we will walk to the Miara Jewish Cemetery. It is the largest jewish cemetery in Morocco and has more than five hundred years of history.

We will also visit the synagogue Henri Kadoch, Beth El temple, still active in Gueliz, the modern part of Marrakech.

At night, you will find modern nightclubs and fun of dancing, as in the story of a thousand and one nights, specially in Gueliz. But not only there. Charme, comfort and glamour of its most exquisite hotels, riads and finest restaurants, art museums... make Marrakech the most welcoming and charm. And possibly the most attractive city in all of Morocco.

We travel more to the south to discover Agadir and its judeo-amazigh heritage.

Before Agadir, we deviate our route to the city of Taroudant. The city, that looks like Marrakech but smaller, was an XI century home of jewish community. We visit both mellah and cemetery, where the saint David Ben Baruk Cohen Azog is buried.

Then we continue to Agadir.

This Berber city is one of the best seaside resort and to enjoy Moroccan and international cuisine. We will see the landscape of the city from the old Kasbah on a hill northwest of the city.

In Agadir we will visit the synagogue and the Rabbi David Ben Baroukh Mausoleum. Most graves of the cemetery are from the earthquake of 1960 that destroyed the city and killed thousands of its inhabitants.

We will travel 13 km more on the south of Agadir, to visit the Mellah of the neighboring town of Inezgane.

After, departure to the beautiful coastal city of Essaouira, 3 hours by car from Agadir.

There remain only a few synagogues in the Essaouira's jewish quarter, that have no more inhabitants. In our last day before return of the Morocco Jewish heritage tour, we will visit the Haim Pinto Synagogue, where it was the house of this Rabbi in the XIX century. From his death, the place is a site of pilgrimage as his grave in the jewish cemetery of the city. It’s one of the most important Hiloulas in North Africa.

We will visit also the Simon Attias Synagogue, known as Beth Ha-Knesset Simón Attias temple. A building of the XIX century recently restored as an interesting museum, which shows documents of the jewish population of Essaouira, which reached almost 50 % in that time.

Essaouira is also known as the "City of the Wind". It attracts surfers from all over the world. In June it hosts the international reputed annual Gnawa music Festival. The city now has a bohemian and maritime atmosphere. Many civilizations passed through Essaouira, predominating the product of the Portuguese occupation architecture. Its characteristic blue doors and white walls of the fishing village make it considered the jewel of the sea of Morocco. You can explore the city, the Skala Fortress and see the Thuya wood carved by artisans. Take a walk in the alleys of the medina and the port between his iconic gulls overflying blue fishing boats.

On our way to Marrakesh we will stop in a cooperative, as it is the land of Argan. This is an opportunity to visit a cooperative of women who make Argan oil, the liquid gold of Morocco. The oil is famous for its culinary, cosmetic and medicinal properties. And also for the fun goats that climb their trees. We will stop to see them and we can take some pictures.

Depending on the departure time of the flight, free time to visit what was not seen on the first day, such as Saadian tombs. Return to Djemma el-Fna square or wander into the souks to do lasts shoppings.

With the vehicle we will take you to visit Majorelle gardens, or Agafay and the Menara gardens, near the airport, depending on your time.

Transfer to the airport and end of our Morocco Jewish Heritage Tour, and our services.