Morocco Top Trips · Updated 30 October 2026
Fes rewards a couple of days on its own, but some of the best places in northern Morocco are within an easy drive. These are the day trips we arrange most often from Fes, with honest driving times so you can judge which ones fit your stay.
In this guide
Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss
This is the classic day out from Fes, and our first suggestion if you only have time for one. Meknes, about an hour away, was the capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, and his monumental gate, Bab Mansour, faces the main square of Place el-Hedim. Nearby are the huge royal granaries and stables, Heri es-Souani.
From Meknes it is half an hour to Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, with mosaic floors still in place and the remains of a triumphal arch standing in open countryside. Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the hillside holy town next door, is a quiet place for lunch with views back over the ruins.
- Driving: about 3 hours in total.
- Good to know: Volubilis has little shade, so go in the morning in summer.
Chefchaouen, the blue town
Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains, around three and a half to four hours from Fes. Its blue-washed lanes are lovely to wander, especially early in the morning before the day visitors arrive. As a day trip it means seven or eight hours in the car, so if you can, spend a night there instead.
Our private Chefchaouen day trip from Fes can also finish in Chefchaouen or continue north to Tangier.
Ifrane and the Azrou cedar forest
South of Fes, the road climbs into the Middle Atlas. Ifrane, about an hour away, is a mountain town of chalet-style houses built in the colonial era, sometimes called the Switzerland of Morocco; it can be cold enough for snow in winter. Beyond it, the cedar forest near Azrou is home to Barbary macaques, which you can often see by the road. Please do not feed them.
- Driving: about 3 hours in total.
- Good to know: a pleasant half-day escape from the medina in hot weather.
Sefrou and Bhalil
Sefrou is a small walled town about 45 minutes from Fes, with a medina that sees few visitors and a waterfall a short walk away. Each June it holds a cherry festival. Close by, the village of Bhalil is known for cave houses that families still live in. Together they make a gentle half-day with a feel of everyday Morocco.
Going further: the Sahara from Fes
Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are around seven to eight hours from Fes, so this is not a day trip. Two days is possible but rushed; three days gives you the dunes without racing.
- 2-Day Sahara Desert Tour from Fes
- 3-Day Merzouga Desert Tour from Fes
- 3-Day Sahara Tour from Fes to Marrakech
Planning tips
- Start early: most of these places are at their best in the morning.
- Friday is quieter in some medina shops, as many close at midday for prayers.
- A licensed guide makes a real difference at Volubilis and in Meknes.
- Combine a day trip with your arrival or departure if you are travelling between Fes and Chefchaouen, Tangier or Marrakech.
See all our private tours from Fes, or read our guide to the best things to do in Fes itself.
Plan your private Morocco trip
Our local team plans private tours around your dates, pace and interests, with support 24/7. Explore our Morocco tour ideas or ask us to plan your trip.
