Overview of This Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip
Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, about 1 h 15 from Fes, with mosaic floors still in place where they were laid some 1,800 years ago. Our private day trip pairs it with Moulay Idriss, the hilltop holy town next door, and Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, and has you back in Fes by late afternoon.
It is an easy day with short drives, and it shows a side of Morocco the big cities do not: Roman columns and a triumphal arch standing in wheat fields, a town built around the tomb of the founder of Morocco’s first Islamic dynasty, and the monumental gates and granaries Moulay Ismail built in the late 1600s. A licensed guide at Volubilis brings the ruins to life; we can arrange one.
- Roman mosaics, columns and the triumphal arch at Volubilis
- The view over Moulay Idriss
- Bab Mansour, the great gate of Meknes
- The royal granaries and stables of Moulay Ismail
Your Day, Hour by Hour
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8:30 am
Pickup in Fes
About 1 h 15 driving · 80 kmWest through olive country to the plain below the Zerhoun mountain.
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9:45 am
Volubilis
Walk the Roman town: the basilica, the Capitoline temple, the arch of Caracalla, and houses whose floors show Orpheus, the labors of Hercules and Bacchus in mosaic. Go early, as there is little shade.
- Stops
- Volubilis
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11:45 am
Moulay Idriss
About 10 min drivingA holy town spread over two hills around the tomb of Idriss I. The shrine is closed to non-Muslims; the view from the terrace above town is the reason to stop.
- Stops
- Moulay Idriss
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12:30 pm
Lunch in Meknes
About 40 min driving · 30 kmLunch in the medina or near Place el Hedim, the main square.
- Stops
- Meknes
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2:00 pm
Meknes, the imperial city
See Bab Mansour, one of the grandest gates in Morocco, the El Hedim square, and the vast granaries and stables Moulay Ismail built for his horses.
- Stops
- Bab Mansour, Heri es-Souani
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4:00 pm
Back to Fes
About 1 h driving · 60 kmBack at your riad or hotel around 5 pm.
Route Map: Fes, Volubilis and Meknes
A loop west of Fes: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes are all within an hour of each other.
What’s Included in This Day Trip
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver
- Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel
- Fuel, tolls and parking
Not included
- Entrance fees (Volubilis, Heri es-Souani)
- Licensed guide at Volubilis (optional, arranged on request)
- Lunch and drinks
- Tips
Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip Prices
Our day trips cost from about $40 per person, for groups of up to 6. The car and driver are yours alone, so the price for this trip depends on two things:
- Group sizeThe vehicle and driver cost the same whatever the size of your party, so the more of you travel, the less each person pays.
- ExtrasLocal guides and activities are added only if you want them, and priced in your quote.
Customize This Day Trip
Start in Meknes instead, or visit Volubilis and Meknes on the way from Fes to Rabat or Chefchaouen. Tell us your route.
Customize This Day Trip
Your driver/guide
A professional, English-speaking driver/guide who knows the road from Fes, in an air-conditioned car or minivan for your group. Other languages are available on request.
Meet our drivers and guidesMeknes and Volubilis Day Trip FAQ
How far is Volubilis from Fes?
About 80 km, or 1 h 15 by car. Meknes is 30 km from Volubilis and an hour from Fes, which makes the loop an easy day.
Is Volubilis worth visiting?
Yes, especially for the mosaics, which are still in the floors where they were laid. Allow about 2 hours; a guide helps you understand what you are seeing.
Can we visit Meknes and Volubilis on the way to Rabat?
Yes. They fit on the road between Fes and Rabat or Casablanca, as on our 6-day imperial cities tour.
What should I wear at Volubilis?
A hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. The site is open fields with almost no shade, and it is hot from June to September.
How much does the Meknes and Volubilis day trip cost?
Our day trips start from about $40 per person for groups of up to 6. The car and driver are yours alone, so the price per person depends on your group size, and on whether you want a guide at Volubilis. We reply with an exact price within 24 hours; a 30% deposit confirms your booking.
