What's a good Jewish-heritage Morocco itinerary?

Morocco has one of the oldest and richest Jewish histories in the world — communities here go back over two thousand years, and at its mid-twentieth-century peak this was home to the largest Jewish population in the Arab world. A heritage trip honours that, and I'd give it eight to ten days. I usually begin in Fes, where the country's first mellah was established beside the royal palace in the 14th century. You walk its distinctive balconied houses, visit the restored Ibn Danan and Slat al-Fassiyine synagogues, and spend a quiet, powerful hour in the old Jewish cemetery with its whitewashed tombs spilling down the hillside.

From Fes I'd move to Marrakech, whose mellah near the Bahia Palace is being sensitively restored. The beautifully kept Lazama (Al-Azama) Synagogue still functions, the spice-and-jewellery lanes of the old quarter retain their character, and the large Jewish cemetery, the Miâara, is a moving stop. Then on to Casablanca, the modern heart of what remains of Moroccan Jewish life, where the active community supports working synagogues and, crucially, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism — the only Jewish museum in the entire Arab world — which gives the whole trip its historical backbone with its costumes, ritual objects and photographs.

The coast and south add the soul of the story. Essaouira, once Mogador, had a Jewish majority in the 19th century and was a great trading and cultural centre; its mellah, synagogues and the Bayt Dakira heritage house are deeply atmospheric, and the town leans warmly into this legacy. If you have the days, the south holds the pilgrimage dimension — the tombs of revered tzaddikim (holy rabbis) scattered through the Atlas and the pre-Sahara, where the hiloula pilgrimages still draw Jewish visitors from around the world, and villages like the old Berber-Jewish settlements tell of a coexistence that shaped the country.

A few honest practicalities. Many synagogues and the museum keep limited hours and some sites are kept locked, so a knowledgeable local guide — ideally one connected to the community — is invaluable for access, context and the human stories that bring a quiet mellah to life. Dress respectfully at religious sites and cemeteries, and check ahead around Shabbat and Jewish holidays when working synagogues close to visitors. This is reflective, layered travel rather than a sightseeing rush, so I keep the pace measured. Tell us whether your interest is genealogical, religious or historical, and we'll shape the route and the guide accordingly.