Day Trip from Fes to Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss
Three remarkable places, one easy day from Fes. Walk among the mosaics and triumphal arch of Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman city in Morocco; look down on the white hill town of Moulay Idriss, the country's holiest pilgrimage site; and explore Meknes, the monumental capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, with its giant gates and royal granaries.
- Duration: about 9 hours
- Starts and ends: your riad or hotel in Fes
- Distance: about 150 km round trip
- Walking: easy to moderate, uneven ground at Volubilis
- Price: on request, depends on group size
Highlights
- The Roman mosaics, basilica and Caracalla arch of Volubilis
- A licensed guide at the archaeological site
- The panoramic view over Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
- Bab Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco
- The Heri es-Souani granaries and royal stables of Meknes
- Lunch in Meknes or among the olive groves of Zerhoun
Day by Day
Day 1: Fes → Volubilis → Moulay Idriss → Meknes → Fes
Leave Fes at 9:00 for Volubilis, where a licensed guide brings the Roman town to life: the House of Orpheus, the Decumanus Maximus and the mosaics still in place. Stop at the viewpoint over Moulay Idriss, then continue to Meknes for lunch. In the afternoon, visit Lahdim square and Bab Mansour, the Moulay Ismail mausoleum and the vast granaries and stables. Back in Fes by early evening.
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and driver
- Licensed guide at Volubilis
- Fuel and bottled water
Not included: entrance tickets, lunch, tips.
Good to Know
- Sun: Volubilis has little shade; bring a hat and water in warm months.
- On the way: this day fits neatly into a transfer between Fes and Rabat or Casablanca.
- Another day trip: see the Fes to Chefchaouen day trip.