Trace a thousand years of Jewish presence across Morocco, from Atlantic Casablanca to the High Atlas and rose‑hued Marrakech. Hand‑picked scholars and local elders open doors to prayer houses still ringing with liturgy, storied cemeteries where revered rabbis rest, and mellahs whose lattice of alleys once sheltered thriving Sephardic life. Shabbat dinners in Fes and Marrakech, private access to Casablanca's singular Museum of Moroccan Judaism, and meetings with today's Jewish custodians create a bridge between past and present.
*advance arrangements required
Mercedes Vito or 4x4 vehicle
Specialists in Moroccan Jewish heritage
Boutique riads and luxury hotels
Including Shabbat dinners
Welcome to Morocco! Upon arrival at Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport, your private driver and Jewish heritage specialist guide will greet you. Begin your journey with a visit to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, whose architectural elements reflect Morocco's multicultural heritage. Continue to Temple Beth-El, the crown jewel of Casablanca's Jewish community, with its stunning stained glass windows and intricate mosaics. After checking into your luxury hotel, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Moroccan-Jewish specialties while your guide provides an overview of Morocco's rich Jewish history spanning over 2,000 years.
Dedicate today to exploring Casablanca's Jewish landmarks. Visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism—the only Jewish museum in the Arab world—housing artifacts, photographs, and traditional costumes that tell the story of Morocco's Jewish communities. Continue to the Em Habanim and Neve Chalom synagogues, each with their own unique architectural style and history. Meet with representatives from the local Jewish community to learn about contemporary Jewish life in Morocco. Evening at leisure to explore Casablanca's cosmopolitan dining scene.
Journey to Rabat, Morocco's capital, where you'll explore the picturesque Kasbah des Oudaias and the historic mellah (Jewish quarter). Visit the Jewish cemetery with its whitewashed tombs and the site of the former synagogue. Continue to imperial Meknes, once home to a significant Jewish population. Walk through the preserved mellah, visit the Rabbi Meir Toledano Synagogue, and explore the Jewish cemetery where venerated rabbis are buried. Overnight in a boutique riad in Meknes, converted from a traditional Jewish merchant's home.
Begin with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Roman ruins of Volubilis, where archaeological evidence shows early Jewish settlement. Continue to the sacred town of Moulay Idriss before arriving in Fes, spiritual heart of Morocco and once home to one of the country's largest Jewish communities. Check into your riad in the medina, then take an orientation walk through the mellah, established in 1438 and once the largest Jewish quarter in Morocco. Visit the recently restored Ibn Danan Synagogue with its distinctive Moroccan-Jewish architecture.
Spend the morning exploring the Jewish cemetery of Fes, with tombs dating back to the 1600s, including that of Rabbi Vidal Hasserfaty. Visit the Jewish Heritage Museum housed in a restored synagogue. As evening approaches, join the small but vibrant local Jewish community for Shabbat services at the remaining active synagogue, followed by a traditional Shabbat dinner with community members. Experience firsthand the unique Moroccan-Jewish liturgical traditions and cuisine that blend Sephardic customs with local influences.
In keeping with Shabbat traditions, enjoy a relaxed morning. In the afternoon, visit the famous Al-Qarawiyyin University and Library, founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, where Jewish and Muslim scholars once studied side by side. Later, drive to nearby Sefrou, once called "Little Jerusalem" for its significant Jewish population. Explore its well-preserved mellah, visit the restored synagogue, and learn about the town's famous Jewish-Berber wedding traditions. Return to Fes for an evening lecture by a local historian on Jewish-Muslim relations throughout Moroccan history.
Journey through the Middle Atlas Mountains, stopping in Azrou and Ifrane to learn about the rural Jewish communities that once thrived in these mountain towns. Continue to Beni-Mellal for lunch and a visit to sites associated with the region's Jewish history. In the afternoon, travel through spectacular mountain scenery to reach Marrakech by evening. Check into your luxury riad in the historic medina and enjoy dinner at a restaurant featuring Moroccan-Jewish specialties.
Explore Marrakech's historic mellah, established in 1558 and once home to over 30,000 Jews. Visit the beautifully restored Slat al Azama Synagogue with its distinctive architecture and the adjacent Jewish cemetery, where rabbis and community leaders rest beneath whitewashed tombs. Tour the Bahia Palace, built by Jewish-Berber craftsmen, and the Saadian Tombs. In the afternoon, meet with representatives from the remaining Jewish community to learn about contemporary Jewish life in Marrakech. Evening at leisure to explore the famous Jemaa el-Fna square.
Begin the day with a special Moroccan-Jewish cooking class, learning to prepare traditional dishes like dafina (Sabbath stew), couscous with seven vegetables, and sweet pastries. Visit the spice markets to learn about the herbs and spices central to both Moroccan and Jewish cuisines. In the afternoon, explore the Majorelle Garden and the Museum of Yves Saint Laurent. As evening falls, join the local Jewish community for Shabbat services and dinner, experiencing the unique traditions of Marrakech's ancient Jewish community.
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning at leisure in Marrakech for last-minute shopping or exploration. Depending on your departure time, transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport or return to Casablanca's Mohammed V Airport for your international flight. Depart with a deeper understanding of Morocco's rich Jewish heritage and the remarkable story of Jewish-Muslim coexistence that has shaped the country's history and culture.