Day Trip from Fez To Meknes And Volubilis

After breakfast in your Riad in Fes or hotel in Fez, we will start our Fes day trip toward Volubilis (the Roman ruins). Photo stops along the way before reaching there, then we will explore this ancient Roman town of Volubilis in Morocco. You will be fascinated by its well-preserved mosaics, palaces, baths, and soaring arches.

Afterwards, we will drive to Meknes, one of Morocco’s Imperial Cities and once the capital of Morocco under the rule of Moulay Ismail. Meknes is home to many historical sites, including grand palaces, mosques, and beautiful gates such as Bab Mansour, one of the most stunning Moroccan landmarks. The old Medina of Meknes is surrounded by thick ramparts. Lunch will be there, and then we will drive back to Fez.

Meknes was the imperial capital of Morocco under the reign of Moulay Ismail (1672-1727) before it was transferred to Marrakech. Meknes is named after a Berber tribe known as Miknasa (in Berber language: Imeknasen), as documented in medieval North African texts. The city has a Mediterranean climate with continental influences, making it a pleasant destination for travelers.

Meknes saw its golden age as the imperial capital of Moulay Ismail, who built numerous historical monuments in Meknes, including fortified walls, gardens, monumental gates, and mosques—hence its nickname, the “City of the Hundred Minarets”. He also constructed a massive underground prison in Meknes to house Christian seamen captured at sea. One of the most remarkable features of Meknes is its 40-kilometer-long fortified wall, a testament to its historical significance.