Fes – Meknes – Volubilis by car: a one-day itinerary
Less than an hour from Fes (also spelled Fez), three UNESCO World Heritage sites can be visited in a single day: the imperial city of Meknes, the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. With a rental car you can link all three at your own pace, without depending on train timetables or shared grand taxis. Here is the route and a tried-and-tested itinerary.
At a glance
Route: motorway or national road?
| Option | Time Fes → Meknes | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 motorway | ≈ 1 h | Fast, free-flowing, service areas | Toll (a few dozen dirhams, cash recommended) |
| National road | ≈ 1 h 15 | Toll-free, runs through villages and orchards | Slower, speed bumps, lorries |
The most efficient plan for a single day: the motorway on the way out as far as the Meknes exit, then the Moulay Idriss road to Volubilis, and back to Fes on the national road in the late afternoon. You can also reverse it: Volubilis first with an early start, then Meknes, which is what we recommend in summer so that you see the ruins before the heat.
Volubilis, the Roman city
Set on a hill above a plain of olive groves, Volubilis was one of the most prosperous cities of Roman Mauretania. You will find the triumphal arch of Caracalla, the basilica and the capitol, and above all mosaics still in place in the patrician houses: Orpheus, the Labours of Hercules, the procession of Venus. Allow an hour and a half to two hours for the visit, more with a guide. The site is in the open air: a hat, water and comfortable shoes are essential. There is an attended car park and a café at the entrance.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
A few kilometres from Volubilis, the white town of Moulay Idriss is spread over two hills around the mausoleum of the founder of the Idrisid dynasty, a major place of pilgrimage. Non-Muslims do not enter the sanctuary, but the climb up to the terraces offers a superb view over the town and the plain, and the alleyways are well worth a stroll. It is the perfect stop for lunch between Volubilis and Meknes. Park on the lower square, at the entrance to the town.
Meknes, the imperial city
Capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century, Meknes has kept ramparts, gates and buildings on the grand scale of its founder. The must-sees in half a day:
- Bab Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, and Place el-Hedim facing it, lively at the end of the day.
- Heri es-Souani, the immense royal granaries and stables, and the neighbouring Agdal basin.
- The mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, whose courtyards are open to visitors.
- The medina, smaller and quieter than the one in Fes, with its souks and the Bou Inania madrasa.
Hour-by-hour itinerary
- 8 am: leave Fes on the motorway, Meknes exit, head for Moulay Idriss.
- 9:15 am: visit Volubilis (1 h 30 to 2 h).
- 11:30 am: Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, terraces and lunch.
- 1:30 pm: drive to Meknes (30 km).
- 2:15 pm: Bab Mansour, Place el-Hedim, Heri es-Souani, medina.
- 5:30 pm: back to Fes on the national road, arriving around 7 pm.
With a night in Meknes, you can add an evening visit of the city and push on the next day to Ifrane and the Middle Atlas, described in our Fes – Ifrane guide.
Parking and practical tips
- Toll: keep some cash in dirhams for the motorway toll barrier.
- Parking: attended car parks at Volubilis (site entrance), Moulay Idriss (lower square) and Meknes (Place el-Hedim, Heri es-Souani); a few dirhams for the attendant.
- Guides: official guides offer tours of Volubilis at the entrance; agree on the price before you start.
- Opening hours and prices of the archaeological site: check them on site, they change with the season.
- Heat: in summer, do Volubilis in the morning and Meknes in the late afternoon.
Which car to rent
Easy roads, short distances: an economy city car is ideal, from 220 MAD per day (≈ 22 €), such as the Dacia Logan or the Clio 5. Families may prefer an SUV or the 7-seater. All our cars are delivered free of charge in Fes or at Fes-Saïss airport, with unlimited mileage and full insurance: see our prices by category and car rental in Fes.
Frequently asked questions about the Meknes – Volubilis day trip
How long does it take to drive from Fes to Meknes?
About an hour for roughly sixty kilometres on the A2 motorway (modest toll), a little longer on the toll-free national road. Volubilis is then around thirty kilometres north of Meknes, which means another 40 to 45 minutes.
Can you visit Meknes and Volubilis in one day from Fes?
Yes, it is the most classic day trip from Fes: Volubilis in the morning when the light is beautiful and the heat is bearable, Moulay Idriss at midday, Meknes in the afternoon and back in Fes by the end of the day. Allow around 180 km in total.
How much is the entrance fee for Volubilis?
A few dozen dirhams per adult, with a reduced rate for children; the site is open every day, from the morning until late afternoon, later in summer. Prices and opening hours change: check them at the entrance. Official guides offer their services in the car park.
Where can I park in Meknes?
Attended car parks can be found around Place el-Hedim and Bab Mansour, at the entrance to the medina, and near the Heri es-Souani granaries. A few dirhams for the attendant, as everywhere in Morocco.
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