Meknes & Volubilis Day Trip from Fes
Less than an hour from Fes lies one of Morocco's most underrated pairings: the imperial city of Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Where Fes overwhelms with its sprawling medina, Meknes is calmer and more monumental — all grand gates and vast granaries — while Volubilis offers something Morocco rarely shows: mosaic floors and standing columns from a Roman city abandoned over a thousand years ago. Together they make an easy, rewarding day trip that balances Fes's intensity with open space and history.
Highlights
- Walk through Bab Mansour, considered the most beautiful gate in Morocco
- Explore the Royal Stables and Heri es-Souani granaries of Sultan Moulay Ismail
- Wander the mosaic-floored ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- See original Roman mosaics still in place after nearly 2,000 years
- Optional stop in the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
- Return to Fes by early evening
Full Itinerary
Morning: Departure from Fes
Pickup from your Fes riad or hotel is usually around 9:00 AM. The drive to Meknes takes about an hour through the agricultural plains west of Fes, passing vineyards and olive groves along the way.
Mid-Morning: Meknes, the Imperial City
Meknes was made Morocco's capital in the 17th century under Sultan Moulay Ismail, who built it on a scale meant to rival Versailles. Your guide leads you through Bab Mansour, the monumental gate marking the entrance to the old city, before continuing to the Heri es-Souani granaries — vast vaulted chambers once used to store grain and feed for the royal cavalry — and, when open, the Royal Stables, built to house thousands of horses. The scale of Moulay Ismail's building projects is genuinely striking, and Meknes sees far fewer tourists than Fes or Marrakech, making it feel refreshingly uncrowded.
Midday: Volubilis
From Meknes, it's a short drive through rolling farmland to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Once a thriving city of around 20,000 people at the empire's western edge, Volubilis still has standing triumphal arches, columned basilicas, and — its real highlight — dozens of intact floor mosaics depicting mythological scenes, still in their original locations rather than behind glass. Your guide walks you through the site's history and points out the best-preserved mosaics, including the Labours of Hercules and the House of Orpheus.
Afternoon: Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (Optional)
Many tours include a short stop in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, a hillside town built around the tomb of Morocco's founding saint. Non-Muslims can't enter the shrine itself, but the town's winding white-and-green streets and viewpoint over the surrounding hills make for a pleasant final stop before heading back.
Late Afternoon: Return to Fes
Lunch is typically taken in Meknes or Moulay Idriss before the return drive, arriving back in Fes by mid-to-late afternoon.
What's Included
- Private transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
- English or French-speaking driver-guide
- Guided visits to Meknes's historic sites and the Volubilis ruins
- Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off in Fes
Not Included
- Volubilis entrance fee (around 70 MAD / $7 USD)
- Lunch
- Local guide fee at Volubilis, if requested separately
- Tips for your driver-guide
Good to Know
Best time to go: Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures for walking Volubilis's exposed, largely unshaded site. Summer visits are best done in the morning before the midday heat sets in.
What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunscreen (Volubilis has very little shade), water, and a camera — the mosaics and the site's hilltop setting are among the most photogenic in the country.
Fitness level: Easy. Both Meknes and Volubilis involve walking on flat or gently uneven ground, with no strenuous sections.
Good for: History and archaeology lovers, travelers who want a break from medina crowds, and anyone looking for a quieter alternative to the more heavily-touristed Chefchaouen day trip from Fes.