Almost all cities boast tourist attractions in their surrounding area, and Fez is certainly one of them. Just a few kilometres away from the Moroccan city are unique destinations that are well worth the trip. The most popular day trips from Fez are those that go to the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the city of Meknes, but there are other beautiful and interesting places that can be reached, especially if you are travelling by car. Generally speaking, they are destinations steeped in history located in places of great beauty. We recommend that you also visit the cities of Moulay Idriss and Moulay Yacoub as well as Azrou and Rabat.
You can also go on day trips from Fez to the desert. This is a highly-recommended option if you have enough time, as the desert offers one of nature’s greatest spectacles that most dazzles the tourists visiting this part of Northern Africa.
- Roman ruins of Volubilis
- Imperial city of Meknes
- Moulay Idriss
- Moulay Yacoub: a spa town
- Rabat: the capital of Morocco
- The authenticity of Azrou
- To the desert from Fez
- Where to stay in Fez
Roman ruins of Volubilis
Situated on a fertile plane 50 kilometres from Fez, the ruins of Volubilis constitute the most important archaeological landmark in Morocco, so much so that they have been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, above all for the importance of their mosaics. To all appearances, the Roman city had, at its peak, up to 20,000 inhabitants and its most important monuments were built in the second and third centuries, including the triumphal arch, the capitol, the baths and the basilica. Volubilis continued to be inhabited until the eighteenth century, when its marble was looted to build the palaces of Meknes. Don’t forget to see the House of Orpheus, the most beautiful and largest of them all. It is well worth hiring a guide for your visit, especially if you do not have much time.
Imperial city of Meknes
The former seat of the Moroccan sultanate, Meknes’s importance is revealed through its three groups of fortifications, which have been incorporated into the city’s road system. Incidentally, the sultan’s tomb is in the centre of what remains of the original imperial city, flanked by a royal granary, the exuberant Bab Mansour gate and El Hedim square, a local version of the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakesh. The area is home to the old medina and the easiest way to access the souks is through the arch next to Dar Jamai Museum. From there, you will find countless souvenir stalls, rug shops and craft businesses. Meknes is situated around 60 kilometres from Fez.
Moulay Idriss
Named after the most revered saint of Morocco, Moulay Idriss, this small, pretty whitewashed town is home to his mausoleum and is one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the country. The only cylindrical minaret in Morocco, surrounded by olive groves, juts out from the skyline of this town situated around five kilometres from Volubilis and 65 kilometres from Fez. It is worth remembering that Moulay Idriss was the great grandson of Muhammad and founded Morocco’s first royal dynasty. He had to flee from Mecca in the late eighth century due to persecution by the recently established Abbasid Caliphate, whose capital was Baghdad. Idriss therefore settled in Volubilis, where he converted the local people to Islam and founded the Idrisid dynasty. The historical centre of Moulay Idriss is well worth a visit.
Moulay Yacoub: a spa town
This spa town is situated in the middle of nature and is known for its hot and sulphur thermal springs, which also have therapeutic properties. In spring, many Moroccans and tourists alike visit the town nestled in a beautiful valley, because its hills are transformed with an intense green colour and pretty flowers. Here you can relax in its thermal waters, enjoy a sauna or traditional hammam or try an exfoliating massage with hot stones. Moulay Yacoub’s main street has various café-restaurants serving traditional tagine. Mules continue to play a vital role in transport in the town.
Rabat: the capital of Morocco
Situated 200 kilometres from Fez, the political and administrative capital of Morocco offers visitors a very central, clean beach, a kasbah that has retained its original charm and a walled medina that is not as touristy as those in other cities. If you do not have much time, you should at least take a walk through the medina and through the Kasbah of the Oudayas. It is also worth climbing to the highest point to enjoy views of the estuary and walking along Avenue Mohammed V, contemplating the madraza of the Grande Mosquée and sampling traditional Moroccan cuisine.
The authenticity of Azrou
Eighty-three kilometres from Fez is this small and charming Moroccan town that is also an important trading point for Berbers, surrounded by forests. In the town, whose name means ‘large rock’, it is worth visiting the great mosque of Enur, the medina and Mohammed V square. Azrou’s weekly souk is one of the largest in the Middle Atlas mountains. The market is not aimed at tourists but rather locals, who come to buy clothes, goats, sheep, cows and local produce. Another one of Azrou’s attractions are the monkeys, which are especially abundant in Moudmame and in Cèdre Gouraud forest. A word of warning: do not feed the monkeys due to the health problems it can cause.
To the desert from Fez
If you would like to fit in an excursion to the desert from Fez, you can do so with ease. Although visitors usually come to the Sahara desert from Marrakesh, you can also use Fez as a starting point, as it is closer and often cheaper. That said, the distance from Fez to the desert is just over 400 kilometres. Merzouga is the most recommended destination, because it embodies that magical, fantastical world of desert dunes with huge swathes of sand. The classic excursion consists of visiting the desert and sleeping in safari tents, with camel rides at sunset, music sessions under the starry night skies and enjoying the sunrise from the dunes.
Where to stay in Fez
If you want to visit the surrounding area of Fez and stay in a hotel where you are assured rest and comfort, we recommend, for its excellent value for money, the hotel Barceló Fès Medina. This very welcoming four-star establishment is situated next to the medina, five minutes from the train station and 20 minutes from Fès-Saïss international airport. It has 134 modern, well-equipped and very comfortable rooms. The hotel has an international restaurant, where you can also enjoy typical Moroccan cuisine and a Jazz Bar serving delicious cocktails. It also has a well-equipped spa for guests to relax with a treatment, sauna or hammam, and a gym. In short, a true oasis to help you feel at home.
