After two days in the alleys of the Fez medina, nothing beats a trip into the surrounding countryside. Within one or two hours’ drive you will find another imperial city, Morocco’s finest Roman site, a holy town perched on a hill and the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas. Here are the best day trips from Fez, easy to arrange in a day with a driver.
Meknes, the city of Moulay Ismail
About an hour from Fez, Meknes was the capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail at the end of the 17th century. Quieter than its neighbour, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss:
- Bab Mansour, one of the most richly decorated monumental gates in Morocco, covered with zellige tiles and mosaics.
- El-Hedim square, facing Bab Mansour, lively in the late afternoon.
- The mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of the few shrines in the country where some rooms are open to non-Muslims.
- The Heri es-Souani granaries and royal stables, huge buildings made for the sultan’s thousands of horses.
Volubilis, the Roman city
Half an hour from Meknes, the ruins of Volubilis spread out at the foot of the Zerhoun hills among olive groves. A UNESCO site, it is the best-preserved ancient site in Morocco. You can admire the Arch of Caracalla, the basilica, the capitol and above all beautiful mosaics still in place in the houses, such as the Labours of Hercules. Allow two hours, bring water and a hat: there is very little shade.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the holy town
Right next to Volubilis, the small white town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun clings to two hills. It holds the tomb of Idriss I, founder of the first Moroccan dynasty at the end of the 8th century, making it one of the country’s main pilgrimage sites. The shrine is for Muslims only, but the terraces offer a superb view over the town and its unusual mosque with a cylindrical minaret covered in green tiles.
Ifrane and the Azrou cedars
South of Fez, the road climbs into the Middle Atlas. Ifrane, with its steep-roofed chalets, parks and famous lion statue, is nicknamed Morocco’s “little Switzerland”. A little further on, the Azrou cedar forest is home to troops of Barbary macaques, monkeys found only in North Africa. In winter, the area is often covered in snow.
Our ideal plan
- Day 1: Meknes in the morning, lunch there, then Volubilis and Moulay Idriss in the afternoon, back in Fez for dinner.
- Day 2: Ifrane and the Azrou forest, or on the way to the Sahara: it is the route of the Fez to Merzouga desert tour.
Our tips
- Set off early to visit Volubilis before the heat, especially from May to September.
- A private driver is the easiest option: there is no direct public transport between these sites.
- In Meknes, a local guide will save you a lot of time in the medina.
Volubilis, Meknes and Ifrane are part of our 7-day imperial cities tour. Prefer à la carte day trips from Fez? Ask for your free quote.
