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Nūr Morocco

Day trip · Fez and Meknes

Moulay Idriss, Volubilis and Meknes

Where Morocco’s first Islamic dynasty began.

Idris I founded Morocco’s first Islamic dynasty here in the late eighth century. Make the ziyara of the hill town that bears his name, see the Roman ruins of Volubilis below it and the imperial city of Meknes, then return to Fez.

Duration
Full day · about 9 hours
Starts
Pickup at your hotel or riad in Fez
Travel
Private or small group
The hill town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.
Photo: August Dominus · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Highlights

  • The holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
  • The Roman city of Volubilis
  • Bab Mansour and the Meknes medina
Before or after a retreatThe Spiritual Heart of Morocco6 days · 5 nights · Fez, Meknes and the Idrisid heritage.

The day

  1. Morning

    Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

    Pickup → Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (65 km, about 1 h 25) → the town and its viewpoints

    • Moulay Idriss ZerhounThe town and viewpoints for every guest; the sanctuary of Idris I for eligible guests.Interior for eligible guests

  2. Midday

    Volubilis

    Moulay Idriss → Volubilis (4 km) → guided visit → lunch

    • VolubilisEntry included

  3. Afternoon

    Meknes

    Volubilis → Meknes (27 km, about 30 minutes) → medina walk → back to Fez (72 km, about 1 hour)

    • Meknes medina and Bab MansourGuided exterior visit

What the labels mean

  • Interior for eligible guestsSome interiors are reserved, for example to Muslim visitors, or close at prayer times.
  • Entry includedEntry is part of the price.
  • Guided exterior visitVisited with a guide from the outside, or on foot through the quarter.

Labels: Interior for eligible guests, Entry included, Guided exterior visit

Included

  • Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fez
  • Vehicle and driver: private, or shared with your group on a group date
  • A qualified local heritage guide
  • Entry to every monument marked “Entry included”
  • Lunch and drinking water

Not included

  • Accommodation
  • Personal purchases
  • Gratuities, at your discretion

Route and driving times

  1. Fez medina to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun65 km · 1 h 24
  2. Moulay Idriss Zerhoun to Volubilis4 km · 8 min
  3. Volubilis to Meknes27 km · 32 min
  4. Meknes to Fez medina72 km · 58 min

Road estimates from OpenStreetMap, without stops or traffic.

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Meals

Lunch near Volubilis and drinking water.

Dates and prices

Private

Any date you choose: just you, your family or your companions.

Small group

Join other guests on one of the scheduled dates below.

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Questions about this day trip

How long is this tour, and where does it start?

Full day, about 9 hours, in Fez and Meknes. Start: Pickup at your hotel or riad in Fez.

Is it a private tour or a group tour?

Both. Book it privately for your own party on any date, or join a scheduled small-group date at a lower price per person. Group dates are listed on this page as they are scheduled.

What is included?

Pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fez, vehicle and driver: private, or shared with your group on a group date, a qualified local heritage guide, entry to every monument marked “Entry included” and lunch and drinking water. Not included: accommodation, personal purchases and gratuities, at your discretion.

How much does it cost?

The price is quoted on request: send your date and number of guests with the booking panel and we reply with your itinerary and price.

Can non-Muslim visitors join the visits to mosques and shrines?

Yes, every guest joins every visit. Some interiors are reserved for eligible (Muslim) visitors or close at prayer times: Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. At those places everyone gets a guided exterior visit.

How do I book?

Choose private or group, your date and guests in the booking panel, then send your name and email. You receive a reference immediately and we confirm availability. No payment is taken online.

Good to know

  • The sanctuary of Moulay Idriss I is reserved for Muslim visitors.
  • Visits inside sacred spaces, taking part in zawiya gatherings and meetings with resident teachers are confirmed individually for each date. If one cannot happen, we tell you before you book and describe the alternative.

Sources

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Plan this day trip.

Send your dates and preferences. We reply with a confirmed programme and price.

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2. Dates and guests
3. About you
4. Flights, private evenings and special needs Optional

Private evenings that interest you. We confirm the programme and hosts before quoting.

No payment is taken online.

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