This 1-Day trip from Fes to Volubilis and Meknes offers you a great opportunity to discover the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Discover one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, see the Roman ruins of an ancient kingdom and visit Morocco’s holiest town on a day trip from Fes. During this history-rich trip, you’ll visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites- the remains of ancient Volubilis and the Medina of Meknes.
Explore the Medina of Meknes, go to the historic remains of Volubilis and see the holy town of Moulay Idriss.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ll depart from your accommodation in Fes at 09:00 AM through the aiss Plains for a short 80 km trip to Volubilis. During the drive will stop at the Achahad Dam and Rif mountain to enjoy the landscape, cool air, and capture photos.
The UNESCO-listed ancient site of Volubilis was once a thriving Roman outpost. This 2,000-year-old complex was once the capital of the kingdom of Mauretania. The ruins give you a true sense of the Roman lifestyle and subsequent medieval Berber town.
You’ll see ancient olive presses, mansions, incredible mosaics, monumental arches and Corinthian columns. Our guided tour will show you the partially-reconstructed ruins of Roman baths, the basilica, triumphal gate, and the Capitoline Temple, where Volubilis worshiped a trio of gods: Juno, Jupiter, and Minerva.
Less than 5 km away our next stop is the holy city of Moulay Idriss at in the scenic mountains. Moulay Idriss I introduced the religion of Islam in 789 AD. Every year thousands of Moroccans pilgrimage (Moussem) to Moulay Idriss in August to pray at the tomb of a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed. This sacred town was only opened to non-Muslims in 2005. Arriving at the elongated square we will wander the narrow streets of this small town visiting the historic mosque and the only round minaret in Morocco.
Next, transfer to the Imperial City of Meknes, whose medina and fortified kasbah are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded as a military settlement in the 11th century, at least three sets of fortifications have been incorporated into the city’s road network. The king’s tomb sits at the heart of what remains of the original imperial city. See the monumental city gates (Bab Mansour), then enjoy the main landmarks: the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, El Hedim Square and if time allows the Dar Jamai Museum. The museum is set in a historic palace and houses a remarkable collection of traditional Moroccan arts, including saddles, needlework, and carpets. Marvel at the beautiful ornamental decorations of the Spanish-Moorish architecture.
Have lunch in Meknes before our trip back to Fes in the afternoon. We’ll stop above the town for an opportunity to take some scenic photos, before dropping you at the accommodation.
Meknes is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, located in the center of northern Morocco and the smallest of the royal cities. The city is known for its huge gate with arches and mosaic tiles. The gate leads to the former imperial city. The mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismail, who made the city the capital in the 17th century.
VolubilisJust 28 km from Meknes lies the largest Roman ruin, which also makes a deep impression on non-archaeologists. Volubilis is located on a plateau from where you can see a broad plain up to the Zerhoun area. With many cacti and agave, which are not too much in Morocco, the landscape is very similar to Solunto, Sicily
Omar
It was a nice trip, enjoyed a lot !!