01History
Volubilis & Meknès
About an hour west, the Roman ruins of Volubilis — mosaics, arches and a basilica on a fertile plain — pair with the imperial city of Meknès and its monumental Bab Mansour gate. The classic full-day trip from Fes.
Fes, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Things to do · Fes
Things to do in Fes
Fes sits within reach of Roman ruins, a holy hilltop town, cedar forests with wild monkeys and the gateway towns to the Sahara. These are the best day trips from the imperial city, with honest drive times so you can plan a realistic day.
6 experiences
The best of Fes
02Culture
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Beside Volubilis, the whitewashed holy town of Moulay Idriss cascades over two hills around the tomb of the founder of Morocco's first dynasty — a sacred, atmospheric stop usually combined with the ruins.
03Nature
Ifrane & the Cedar Forest
About an hour south, the alpine-style town of Ifrane (nicknamed 'Little Switzerland') leads into the Middle Atlas cedar forests near Azrou, home to troops of wild Barbary macaques — a cool, green contrast to the medina.
04Mountains
Chefchaouen, the Blue City
Around 3.5 to 4 hours northwest in the Rif, the blue-washed mountain town of Chefchaouen is a long but popular day trip. With no train link it is a drive; many travellers prefer to stay overnight.
05Off-track
Sefrou & the Bhalil cave houses
About 30 minutes south, the old town of Sefrou (known for its cherry festival) and the nearby village of Bhalil, with homes built into the rock, make an easy, low-key half-day away from the crowds.
06Long day
Midelt & the road to the desert
For those heading south, Midelt and the Ziz valley mark the scenic route from Fes toward Merzouga and the Sahara — really an overnight rather than a day trip, but a spectacular drive through the Middle Atlas.
Frequently asked
What are the best day trips from Fes?
The best day trips from Fes are the Roman ruins of Volubilis with Meknès and Moulay Idriss, the cedar forests and monkeys around Ifrane and Azrou, the blue city of Chefchaouen, and the quieter town of Sefrou with the Bhalil cave houses.
Can you visit Volubilis as a day trip from Fes?
Yes. Volubilis is about an hour from Fes and is usually combined with Meknès and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun in a single full-day trip, since the three are close together.
Is Chefchaouen a day trip from Fes?
It can be, but it is a long one — about 3.5 to 4 hours each way by road, with no train link. An early start makes a day trip possible, though many travellers choose to stay overnight in Chefchaouen.
See it with a local
Turn this into a private Fes trip.
We'll build a private, guided plan around the experiences you care about — with a driver, hand-picked riads and a written quote in 24 hours.
Contact us for pricingMore cities