Overview
The 1 Day Tour from Fes to Meknes & Volubilis is widely considered the best day trip available from Fes — a circular excursion that takes in the monumental imperial city of Meknes and the extraordinary Roman ruins of Volubilis in a single, well-paced day. Both sites rank among Morocco’s most important historical destinations and yet both are chronically undervisited compared to Fes and Marrakech, meaning you explore them without crowds and with a sense of genuine discovery.
Meknes is the imperial city that time forgot. While Fes and Marrakech receive hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, Meknes — built by the megalomaniac Sultan Moulay Ismail between 1672 and 1727 — remains largely unknown outside Morocco. Moulay Ismail was the contemporary of Louis XIV of France, and his ambitions were equally grand: Meknes was built to rival Versailles, with 40 kilometres of walls, a network of underground stables for 12,000 horses, and monumental granaries designed to sustain the city through a 20-year siege. The Bab Mansour gate — commissioned by Moulay Ismail and completed by his son in 1732 — is considered the finest gate in all of North Africa.
Volubilis, 30 kilometres north of Meknes in a wide fertile plain, is one of the most important Roman archaeological sites outside Europe and one of Africa’s greatest surprises. The city was founded in the third century BC and reached its peak as the administrative capital of Roman Mauretania Tingitana in the second and third centuries AD. The site covers 40 hectares and includes the best-preserved Roman mosaics in the Maghreb, displayed in situ in the floors of merchant houses whose walls still stand to head height. A triumphal arch, basilica, forum, and dozens of identifiable townhouses make this one of the most legible Roman cities anywhere — your guide will bring it vividly to life.
The return to Fes passes through the small town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun — Morocco’s holiest town, where the founder of the first Moroccan dynasty is buried. Non-Muslims cannot enter the mausoleum, but the town itself, piled up a steep hillside in brilliant white, is beautiful and worth a brief stop.
Highlights
- Visit Meknes — Morocco’s most underrated imperial city
- See Bab Mansour, considered the finest gate in North Africa
- Explore the vast Heri es-Souani granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail
- Walk the Place el-Hedim square and Meknes medina
- Discover Volubilis — Rome’s Moroccan city, with in-situ mosaic floors
- See the Triumphal Arch, Basilica and Capitol temple of Volubilis
- Pass through Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, Morocco’s holiest town
- Experience two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single day
- Explore without crowds — both sites are far less visited than Fes or Marrakech
- Return to Fes in time for dinner in the medina
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Fes → Meknes → Volubilis → Moulay Idriss → Fes
Depart Fes at 9am (45-minute drive). Arrive in Meknes and begin with the Place el-Hedim — the grand square at the entrance to the medina, equivalent in spirit to Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa. Walk through the medina to the Bab Mansour gate — spend time examining the extraordinary tiled and carved decoration up close. Visit the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum (open to non-Muslims), one of the few royal mausoleums in Morocco where visitors of all faiths are welcome. See the Heri es-Souani granaries and horse stables — the engineering scale is staggering. Lunch at a local restaurant in Meknes. Drive 30 minutes north to Volubilis. Spend 90 minutes walking the site with your guide: the Triumphal Arch of Caracalla, the Basilica, the Capitol, and the merchant houses with their remarkable mosaic floors (Orpheus, the Labours of Hercules, Nereids). Brief stop in Moulay Idriss Zerhoun on the return for photographs and mint tea. Back in Fes by 6:30pm.
What’s Included
- Private transport Fes–Meknes–Volubilis–Fes
- Expert English-speaking licensed guide
- Entrance fees: Volubilis archaeological site, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum
- Lunch in Meknes
What’s Not Included
- International flights to and from Morocco
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guide and driver
- Personal drinks and snacks
- Visa fees where applicable
Travel Tips
Volubilis is an open-air site with minimal shade — bring sunscreen, a hat, and water in summer. The best light for photography at Volubilis is in the morning (the mosaics are west-facing). Meknes medina is authentic and unhurried — a perfect contrast to the intensity of Fes. This tour is an excellent addition to a 2-night Fes stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Volubilis suitable for children? A: Yes — the open spaces, the mosaics, and the scale of the ruins tend to fascinate children. Bring water and sun protection.
Q: How does Meknes compare to Fes and Marrakech? A: Meknes has far fewer tourists than either, which makes it more relaxed and in some ways more authentic. The imperial monuments are on a comparable scale to Marrakech’s but with a fraction of the crowds.
Q: Can non-Muslims enter the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum? A: Yes — the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum is one of very few active royal mausoleums in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is required.
Q: Can I extend this to an overnight trip? A: Yes — we offer a 3-day Fes to Chefchaouen tour that passes through Meknes and Volubilis with an overnight in Meknes or continuing to Chefchaouen.