Fes is ideally positioned in northern central Morocco for day trips and multi-day excursions. To the north lie the Rif Mountains and the Blue City of Chefchaouen. To the west is the Imperial City of Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. To the south lies the Middle Atlas, the cedar forests of Azrou, and the gateway to the Sahara. Here is a complete guide to the best excursions from Fes.
Day Trips from Fes
Meknes and Volubilis — 30-45 Minutes from Fes
The Meknes and Volubilis day trip is the most popular excursion from Fes. Meknes, 60 kilometres west of Fes, is Morocco’s fifth Imperial City, built in the 17th century by Sultan Moulay Ismail as his imperial capital. Key sights include the monumental Bab Mansour gate (considered Morocco’s finest city gate), the Place el-Hedim, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail (one of the few mausoleums in Morocco where non-Muslims may enter), and the Heri es-Souani granaries. Volubilis, 30 kilometres north of Meknes, is Morocco’s best-preserved Roman site — a UNESCO World Heritage Site with intact mosaics, triumphal arch, basilica, and capitol dating to the 1st to 3rd centuries AD. A half-day combines both sites comfortably. Cost: EUR 30 to 55 per person.
Chefchaouen from Fes — 3 to 3.5 Hours Each Way
The journey from Fes to Chefchaouen passes through the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas and then climbs into the Rif Mountains, arriving in the Blue City after 3 to 3.5 hours. Due to the driving time, Chefchaouen from Fes is best done as an overnight trip (1 night in a Blue City riad) rather than a pure day trip. However, departing at 7am allows approximately 4 hours in Chefchaouen before departing at 3pm and returning to Fes by 7pm. Cost: EUR 45 to 75 per person for a guided day trip.
Cedar Forests of Azrou — 1.5 Hours from Fes
The cedar forests around the town of Azrou in the Middle Atlas are home to Morocco’s famous colony of wild Barbary macaques — the only free-ranging non-human primates in Africa north of the Sahara. The macaques are habituated to tourists and can be fed and photographed at close range. The forest also includes the charming alpine town of Ifrane (known as “Little Switzerland” for its European-style architecture, unusual for Morocco) and the ski resort of Michlifen. Cost: EUR 35 to 60 per person for a guided day trip.
Multi-Day Tours from Fes
Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour — 3 Days
The 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour is one of the most popular Morocco tours, covering some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes in a single one-way route. Day 1: Fes — Ifrane — Azrou cedar forests — Midelt — Merzouga (evening camel trek and desert camp overnight). Day 2: Sunrise over the dunes — Erfoud fossils market — Todra Gorge — Dades Valley — Ouarzazate. Day 3: Ait Ben Haddou (UNESCO Kasbah) — Tizi n’Tichka mountain pass — arrive Marrakech. Cost: EUR 180 to 350 per person (group shared tour). Private tour from Fes to Marrakech: EUR 350 to 600 per person. This tour ends in Marrakech, making it ideal for travelers flying out of Marrakech Menara Airport.
