Meknes, Volubilis & Moulay Idriss: Day Trip from Fez with Driver

Summary

Roman mosaics, holy hills and Meknes city gates on a winding day out

You’ll step across ancient Roman stones in Volubilis, wind through Moulay Idriss’s hillside alleys with your local driver sharing stories, then explore Meknes’s grand gates and lively medina before heading back to Fez. Expect moments of quiet awe and unexpected laughter along the way.

What’s the experience like?

We set off from Fez just after breakfast—our driver, Hassan, was already waiting outside the riad, engine humming. There’s something about Moroccan mornings: the air feels cool but tinged with the promise of heat. The drive towards Volubilis was quiet at first. I watched olive groves flick past the window and tried to imagine what this land looked like two thousand years ago. When we finally stepped onto the stones of Volubilis, it was oddly silent except for birds and our own footsteps crunching on gravel. I touched a mosaic—still cold from the night—and tried to picture Roman life here. Hassan pointed out Latin inscriptions I never would’ve noticed. He told us about the olive presses; apparently people still use similar ones nearby.

Next stop: Moulay Idriss. The town sort of appears all at once, white houses stacked up on green hills. It felt almost like a secret place—maybe because cars can’t get into most streets, so we walked instead. A woman selling mint called out bonjour as we passed (I think she could tell I wasn’t local). We wandered through narrow lanes that twisted unexpectedly; at one point I lost sight of my group and had to double back past a cat sunning itself on a doorstep. Hassan explained why this place is so important for Moroccans—he seemed genuinely proud, which made me see it differently too.

Meknes was last. By then the sun was high and everything looked sharper—the blue tiles on Bab Mansour gate almost glared back at us. We ducked into El Hedim square where kids chased pigeons and an old man sold sweet nuts from a cart (I bought some; they stuck to my teeth). Inside the medina it smelled like leather and spices, all mixed together in a way that clung to my clothes even after we left. We saw the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail—Hassan told us stories about him that sounded half real, half legend—and then wandered through rooms filled with Moroccan art and crafts. Lunch happened somewhere in between all this; honestly I barely remember what I ate except there were olives involved.

On the drive back to Fez I kept thinking about those mosaics in Volubilis—the colors are still clear in my mind now, days later. Sometimes travel days blur together but this one didn’t feel like that at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Tour Meknes, Volubilis, and Moulay Idriss

• 09:30 am pick up in A/C vehicle
• Stop at Volubilis to explore ruins
• Quick tour of Moulay Idriss streets
• Transfer to Meknes imperial city
• Visit El Hedim square and Bab Mansour
• See Moulay Ismail Mausoleum and El Heri es-Souani
• Explore Meknes medina and city gates
• Visit Museum of Moroccan Art
• Break for lunch on your own
• Return to Fez and drop off

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Fez to Meknes, Volubilis & Moulay Idriss take?

The full-day tour typically starts around 9:30 am and returns by evening.

Is hotel pickup included for this Meknes & Volubilis day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at your hotel or riad in Fez are included.

Are entry fees or lunch included in the price?

No, entry fees and lunch are not included—you can choose where to eat during your break.

Is this tour suitable for families or people with limited mobility?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; infants seats are available if needed.

Will there be a guide inside Volubilis or Meknes?

The tour includes an English- or French-speaking driver who shares information but does not act as an official site guide inside monuments.

What’s included

Your day includes comfortable air-conditioned transport with an English- or French-speaking driver who picks you up directly from your hotel or riad in Fez; you’ll have flexibility for lunch breaks along the way before returning to your accommodation in the evening.