Fes to Volubilis & Meknes: Roman Ruins, Medina Gates, Pickup

Roman ruins, medina walls and the quiet hills beyond Fes

You’ll start your day in Fes with pickup right from your door, heading out past hills and water to explore Volubilis’ ancient Roman ruins with a local guide. Wander Meknes’ medina gates and stables, pause at Moulay Ismail’s mausoleum, and end up back in Fes carrying new stories, plus maybe a hint of thyme on your hands.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Volubilis and Meknes from Fez

• Pick up from accommodation in Fez at 9:00
• Stop at panoramic view of Sidi Chahed Dam
• Visit ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis with guide
• Arrive in Meknes and view the Medina
• Tour city walls and monumental gates
• Explore stables, attics, and stud
• Visit Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
• Exit through Bab Mansour El to Hedim square
• Visit Museum of Moroccan Art “Dar Jamai”
• Return to Fez

The experience

Opened my eyes in Fes and by 9am we were already rolling out of the city: windows down, that first rush of cool air mixing with the smell of morning bread from street stalls. Our driver grinned at my attempts to pronounce “Volubilis” (I got it wrong every time). We stopped for ten minutes at Sidi Chahed Dam. I remember the light on the water, kind of silver-blue, and a herder’s voice drifting over from somewhere below. Not what I pictured when I thought “Morocco,” honestly.

The Roman ruins at Volubilis just sort of appear out of nowhere: olive trees all around and then suddenly these columns and mosaics, half-buried but weirdly alive. Our guide was patient with my questions (and there were a lot). He pointed out Latin inscriptions worn smooth by centuries of wind. I ran my hand over one stone. It was still warm from the sun. There was this faint smell, dust, wild thyme maybe? Hard to say. The keyword here is “day trip Volubilis Meknes Fes,” but nothing about it felt rushed or touristy.

Meknes surprised me. From up high you see the old medina walls stretching out, gates like Bab Mansour El standing stubborn against time. We wandered through stables echoing with our footsteps (and a couple pigeons). At the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, our guide explained how non-Muslims could visit. It felt quietly respectful inside, not grand but somehow peaceful. Lunch was just street food grabbed near Place Hedim: sweet mint tea and something fried I still can’t name. On the way back to Fes I kept thinking about those olive groves and how history here isn’t locked behind glass. It’s just part of the road home.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or riad pickup in Fes at 9:00 am, travel by air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver, guided visits at both Volubilis and Meknes (including stops at key sites like Bab Mansour El and Moulay Ismail’s mausoleum) before returning to Fes that evening.

Options for this experience

5 options

Guided Tour of Meknes for a Large GroupGuide in English, Spanish or French · 09:30Guide in Meknes for a large group. Local guide in Meknes is included if there are 10 or more participants. Group tour lasting 1 day. From Fes to Meknes via Volubilis, travelling by air-conditioned minibus. Pickup and drop-off at your hotel. Pickup is included.

Guided Tour of Meknes for a Medium-Sized GroupGuide in English, Spanish or French · 09:30Guide in Meknes for a medium group of up to 17 people. A local guide in Meknes is included if there are 6 or more participants. Lasts 1 day. Travel by air-conditioned minibus with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

Guided Tour of Meknes for a Small GroupGuide in English, Spanish or French · 09:30Guide in Meknes for a small group of up to 8 people. A local guide in Meknes is included. Lasts 1 day. Travel by minivan with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Private Tour-Without GuidesGuide in English, Spanish or French · 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Private car lasting 9 hours: as this is a private tour, you can choose when to start and when to return to Fes. Travel in an air-conditioned minivan with a professional driver. Pickup is included.

Tour with a Private GuideGuide in English, Spanish or French · 08:30, 09:00 and 09:30Private day trip: a private tour with local guides in Meknes and Volubilis. Private tour lasting about 8 hours: this is an approximate duration, so you can begin the tour whenever you like and finish it whenever you like. From Fes to Meknes, with stops in Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Travel by minivan. Pickup and drop-off in Fes, including hotel pickup and drop-off. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 27

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by 3t Travel

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the day trip from Fes to Volubilis & Meknes?

The tour starts at 9:00 am and returns in the evening after visiting both Volubilis and Meknes.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, pickup from your accommodation or riad in Fes is included.

Do you get a guided tour at Volubilis?

Yes, you’ll have a guide who explains the history during your visit to Volubilis.

What sites are visited in Meknes on this tour?

You’ll see the medina walls, monumental gates like Bab Mansour El, stables (Rua), attics (HERI), Stud, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and Dar Jamai Museum.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No set lunch is included. You’ll have free time to buy food in Meknes.

Is this day trip suitable for families?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

Can public transportation be used instead?

Public transportation options are nearby but this tour includes private vehicle transport for comfort.