Things to do · Fes
Fes makes a rich base for exploring northern Morocco, ringed by Roman ruins, holy towns, imperial cities, cedar forests and the cool Middle Atlas. From a half-day at Volubilis to a full run up to blue-washed Chefchaouen, here are twelve excursions worth the drive from the medina.
12 experiences
About an hour from Fes, Volubilis is Morocco's best-preserved Roman site and a UNESCO World Heritage location. Standing columns, a triumphal arch and remarkably intact floor mosaics mark this former provincial capital set among rolling olive country.
An hour west, the imperial city of Meknes was Sultan Moulay Ismail's 17th-century capital. Highlights include the monumental Bab Mansour gate, the vast Heri es-Souani granaries and stables, and the sultan's ornate mausoleum.
Spilling across two hills near Volubilis, Moulay Idriss is one of Morocco's holiest towns, built around the tomb of the founder of the first Moroccan dynasty. Steep whitewashed lanes lead to viewpoints over the green Zerhoun valley.
Around three to four hours north in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its blue-rinsed medina of indigo walls and stairways. A long day trip rewards visitors with photogenic lanes, mountain views and a relaxed highland atmosphere.
Nicknamed 'Little Switzerland', Ifrane sits at around 1,665 metres in the Middle Atlas with alpine-style chalets, tidy gardens and a famous stone lion sculpture. The cool, clean air and pine setting feel a world away from the medina.
Near the town of Azrou, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas shelter Morocco's largest stands of Atlas cedar, including the celebrated old tree once known as Gouraud. Troops of Barbary macaques are commonly seen along the forest roads.
Around 30 km south of Fes, Sefrou is a quiet walled town long known for its mixed Muslim and Jewish heritage and its annual Cherry Festival. A small medina, the old mellah and the nearby Kef el-Moumen waterfalls make for an easy half-day.
A short hop from Sefrou, the hillside village of Bhalil is known for homes partly built into caves, some still lived in today. Locals also weave the cloth buttons used on traditional djellabas, often demonstrated for visitors.
On the road up to Ifrane, Imouzzer Kandar is a Middle Atlas town set among apple orchards and lakes. It is a pleasant stop for fresh mountain air, a weekly souk and nearby seasonal lakes such as Dayet Aoua.
A natural lake in the Middle Atlas between Imouzzer and Ifrane, Dayet Aoua is ringed by cedar and oak and draws migratory birds in season. It is a tranquil picnic and birdwatching spot that pairs well with the cedar forests of Azrou.
Near Taza, east of Fes, the Friouato Cave is among the deepest accessible caverns in North Africa, reached by a long flight of steps into a vast chasm. Guided descents reveal chambers of stalactites and stalagmites for the adventurous.
Morocco's coastal capital lies around two and a half hours from Fes and rewards a long day with the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the Atlantic, and the riverside Chellah, a walled Roman and medieval necropolis.
Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes are the classic combination, often done together in a single day since they lie close together west of the city. Volubilis alone, about an hour away, is the headline draw for its Roman ruins and mosaics.
Yes, but it is a long day. Chefchaouen is around three to four hours each way in the Rif Mountains, so an early departure is essential and most of the day is spent in the blue medina before driving back.
The cedar forests around Azrou in the Middle Atlas, roughly an hour and a half south of Fes, are the best place. Troops of wild Barbary macaques gather near the forest roads, often combined with a visit to Ifrane on the way.
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