The Best Day Trips from Fes
Fes is Morocco's cultural capital, but also an excellent base for excursions: the blue city of Chefchaouen, the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the imperial city of Meknes, the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and, further afield, the dunes of Merzouga. Here are the most-booked trips from Fes, with real prices, durations and reviews.
The most-booked trips from Fes are the day trip to Chefchaouen, the blue city of the Rif (about 3.5 to 4 hours' drive each way, from €17), the Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes day (about 9 hours, from €14), which combines two UNESCO-listed sites, and the Middle Atlas, with Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest home to Barbary macaques (about 7 hours, from €17). Without leaving town, a guided medina tour including the Chouara tanneries costs from €9 and saves you from getting lost in the 9,000 alleys often mentioned. Sefrou and its old mellah are 30 minutes away. Finally, the Merzouga desert is about 7 to 8 hours' drive away: plan a 2 to 3-day tour. Most trips include pickup at your riad or the nearest medina gate.
The 10 Best Day Trips Compared
| Trip | Drive | Duration | From | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day trip to Chefchaouen (shared group) | 3.5-4h | Full day | €17 | 4.6/5 | 3,336 |
| Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes | 1h15 | 9h | €14 | 4.7/5 | 2,992 |
| Medina, Al Attarine madrasa and Chouara tannery | In town | 3.5h | €11 | 4.5/5 | 2,108 |
| Day at Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes | 1h15 | 9h | €15 | 4.7/5 | 1,826 |
| Walking tour of the medina with a local guide (3h) | In town | 3h | €9 | 4.7/5 | 1,538 |
| Middle Atlas and Ifrane National Park | 1h | 7h | €17 | 4.6/5 | 987 |
| Royal palace, madrasa, tannery and souks | In town | 4h | €13 | 4.4/5 | 925 |
| Middle Atlas and the monkey forest | 1h15 | Full day | €18 | 4.4/5 | 602 |
| Souk tour and cooking class | In town | 3.5h | €37 | 4.9/5 | 256 |
| Private tour by luxury car | In town | 4h | €49 | 4.8/5 | 119 |
Prices per person, taken from the partner listings; they may vary by date and group size.
See all day trips from Fes· GetYourGuide
Trip by Trip
Chefchaouen, the Blue City
The most requested trip from Fes: the blue alleys of Chefchaouen, tucked into the Rif. The drive adds up to 7 to 8 hours round trip, leaving about 4 hours on site. If you can, stay a night to enjoy the town in the quiet of the evening. See the Chefchaouen day trip from Fes and the Akchour waterfalls.
Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes
The finest cultural day from Fes: the Roman mosaics of Volubilis, the holy town of Moulay Idriss perched on its hill, then Meknes, the imperial city of Moulay Ismail. See Volubilis and Meknes and things to do in Meknes.
The Middle Atlas: Ifrane and the Azrou Cedars
An hour south, Ifrane, nicknamed Little Switzerland, surprises with its pitched roofs, and the Azrou cedar forest is home to free-roaming Barbary macaques. Snow is common there in winter. See Ifrane and Azrou.
Sefrou, 30 Minutes Away
A small town at the foot of the Atlas, Sefrou offers a peaceful medina, an old mellah and, in June, its famous cherry festival. See Sefrou.
In the Medina: Guided Tours and Cooking
The UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali medina is a maze where a guided tour saves precious time, especially for the Chouara tanneries and the madrasas. For a tastier experience, the cooking class with a souk visit is very highly rated. See the medina and tanneries tour and cooking classes in Fes.
The Merzouga Desert in 2 or 3 Days
Merzouga is about 470 km from Fes: too far for a day, but perfect for a 2 to 3-day tour crossing the Middle Atlas, the cedars and the Ziz Valley before the Erg Chebbi dunes. Many tours end in Marrakech, which saves the drive back. See the Merzouga desert.
Which Day Trip Is Right for You?
Guided Tour or Rental Car?
For Chefchaouen and Merzouga, a guided tour spares you long hours of driving. For Volubilis, Meknes, Ifrane and Sefrou, a rental car lets you plan your day freely; leave it parked outside the medina, though, which is explored on foot.
Compare car rentals in Fes· Discover Cars
FAQ — Day Trips from Fes
What is the best day trip from Fes?
Can you do Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fes?
How do you get to Volubilis from Fes?
Can you visit the desert from Fes?
Do you need a guide to visit the Fes medina?
In Short
For day trips from Fes:
- Half a day → a guided medina tour or Sefrou.
- A full day → Chefchaouen, Volubilis and Meknes, or the Middle Atlas.
- Two to three days → the Merzouga desert.
To plan the rest of your stay: things to do in Fes, where to stay in Fes and the best riads in Fes.
