Marrakech

During the 11^th century, the leader of the Moroccan Almoravid empire, Yusuf Ibn Tashfin, cofounded the city of Marrakesh, along with his cousin Abu Bakr Ibn Umar.  It is home to a number of historic 12^th century mosques such as the Koutoubia Mosque, built right after the Almohads conquered Marrakesh from the Almoravids and the Ben Youssef Mosque built by Yusuf’s son.

The beautiful old city, or medina, is known as the red city because of the beaten clay that many of its buildings are made of and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Be sure visit ElBadi Palace is the grand ruins of Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour’s once-spectacular palace, set within sunken gardens and boasting sweeping views over the medina.  One of Marrakesh’s biggest attractions Jemaa el-Fna, a large square in the heart of the medina, where you will find anything from snake charmers, street entertainers and hawkers.

Fez 

The oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities, Fez, was founded in 789 by the founder of the Idrissid dynasty and is also regarded as the founder of Morocco, Idris Ibn Abdallah.  The old city, referred to as medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, consisting of two parts, Fez el-Bali and Fez el-Jdid, originating from the 8^th and 13^th centuries and is considered to be one of the most extensive and well-conserved historic towns in the Muslim world.

Fez, considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco, is also home to the world’s oldest continually operating university, the University of al-Qarawiyyin, which was established initially as a mosque by Fatima al-Fihri in 859 and then became a center for spiritual and educational learning. Along with historic fortresses and gates, the city has many examples of it centuries old Islamic heritage including madrassahs, mausoleums and mosques, including the Mosque of the Andalusians and the Bou Jeloud Mosque

Tangier

Perched on the northern coast of Morocco, Tangier is a vibrant gateway between Africa and Europe, where history and culture intertwine. With its whitewashed medina, bustling markets, and stunning seaside views, the city has long been a source of inspiration for artists and writers. Explore the Kasbah, the historic Grand Socco, and the famous Cave of Hercules, all while soaking in Tangier’s unique blend of Moroccan, Spanish, and French influences.

Granada

Granada, the last stronghold of Muslims in Spain, is filled with exquisite architecture and serene surroundings telling of a historic time in which Muslims ruled over this region. Every turn speaks of remnants of this age and the prosperity enjoyed by the people living there.

You’ll be taken back to this time as you walk through the picturesque arches, stroll through the Arab quarter or drink tea at one of teterías of Albayacin.

The iconic and astonishing Alhambra, standing at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain range, is a jewel in the crown of Islamic Spain. Developed in the 13^th century, Alhambra, a series of palaces, citadel, gardens and orchards, was the residence for the Nasarid sultans and elites, the last remaining Muslim dynasty in Al-Andalus. The profound beauty in its architectural design, intricate detail and engineering leaves visitors in awe of its allure.

Cordoba 

One of the world’s greatest Islamic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mezquita, or Grand Mosque of Cordoba, is a symbol of the worldly, sophisticated culture that flourished here more than a millennium ago, in the 8^th century, when Córdoba was capital of Islamic Spain and western Europe’s biggest, most cultured city.

The design evolved for around 200 years to its final form as the Grand Mosque, until it was repurposed as a cathedral and altered accordingly. One of the most famous features of the building is its 856 double arches that are modelled on the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. Mezquita-Catedral de Córdoba remains a truly mesmerizing building that exudes history, culture and opulence.

Seville

Seville houses one of the most famous and iconic remnants of Islamic Spain – the Real Alcazar, or Royal Alcazar – a remarkable palace built by the Muslim ruling class in the 8^th century. It is a fine and unique example of Mudéjar art – a style, deeply rooted in cultural diversity and originating from practising Muslims living in Christian territories in historical Spain.