Day Trips · 3 min read
Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip from Fes: Roman Ruins and an Imperial City
Quick answer
A day trip from Fes covers Volubilis (about 1 hour away), Morocco's best-preserved Roman city with floor mosaics and a UNESCO listing, the hilltop holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, and Meknes with Bab Mansour gate, the Moulay Ismail mausoleum and the royal granaries. Allow 8–9 hours with a private driver.
Two thousand years of history fit into one day north-west of Fes: a Roman provincial city, Morocco's holiest town and a 17th-century imperial capital.
Volubilis
Set among olive groves on a plain below the Zerhoun mountain, Volubilis was a major city of Roman Mauretania Tingitana. Its highlights are the colourful floor mosaics left in place in the houses (Orpheus, the Labours of Hercules, Diana bathing), the basilica and capitol columns, and the triumphal arch dedicated to Emperor Caracalla. The site is listed by UNESCO. Go early — there is little shade.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Five kilometres away, the whitewashed town of Moulay Idriss climbs two hills around the shrine of Idriss I, founder of the first Moroccan dynasty in the 8th century. Climb to the viewpoint terrace for the classic photo.
Meknes
Sultan Moulay Ismail made Meknes his capital in the late 17th century and built on a monumental scale. See Bab Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco; Place el Hedim; the Moulay Ismail mausoleum (open to non-Muslims, subject to opening times); and the immense Heri es-Souani granaries and stables.
Practical plan
- 8:30 leave Fes → 9:45 Volubilis (2 h)
- 12:00 Moulay Idriss viewpoint and lunch
- 14:00 Meknes (3 h)
- 18:00 back in Fes
How to visit
A private driver is the easiest way. Volubilis and Meknes are included in our 7-day imperial cities tour and the 8-day tour from Tangier. Staying in Fes? Pair it with the Fes medina guided tour and read the Fes travel guide.
FAQ
How far is Volubilis from Fes?
About 80 km, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes by road.
How long do you need at Volubilis?
About 1.5–2 hours with a guide to see the mosaics, the basilica, the capitol and the Caracalla arch.
Can non-Muslims visit Moulay Idriss?
Yes, the town is open to all visitors; only the shrine itself is reserved for Muslims.
Is Meknes worth visiting?
Yes — it is calmer than Fes and Marrakech, with monumental gates and the vast royal granaries of Moulay Ismail.
Morocco Travels Team
Written by the Morocco Travels team in Marrakech — local guides and drivers who run these routes every week. We update our guides each season with current prices, opening hours and road conditions.
