Volubilis & Meknes Day Trip from Fes
Roman mosaics at Volubilis, the holy town of Moulay Idriss and the imperial city of Moulay Ismail
Tour Overview
This Volubilis and Meknes day trip from Fes is a private, full-day circuit of about 185 km to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the holy town between them. You walk among the Roman mosaics of Volubilis, stop at the viewpoint over Moulay Idriss Zerhoun and spend the afternoon in Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail.
Volubilis comes first, in the cooler morning, because the site is open ground with little shade. You can hire an official guide at the entrance, which helps make sense of the ruins.
- Route: Fes → Volubilis → Moulay Idriss Zerhoun → Meknes → Fes
- Length: about 9 hours, with pickup at around 08:30
- Start and end: pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Fes
- Group: private, 1 to 6 travellers in one vehicle
- Price: from $80 per person, based on two travellers sharing. Entry to Volubilis is 70 MAD per adult, and official site guides charge about 150–300 MAD per group. Prices are indicative: the final price is set once the day is personalised.
- Best months: March to May and September to November. In summer, start earlier to see Volubilis before the heat.
- Customisable: add a guide in Meknes, lunch in Moulay Idriss, or end the day in Rabat or Chefchaouen.
Highlights
Volubilis mosaics: See floors still in place in the houses, including the House of Orpheus.
Arch of Caracalla and the Basilica: Stand in the forum of the Roman city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun: Look over the holy town on its twin hills from the viewpoint above it.
Bab Mansour: Stand before the monumental gate of Meknes on Place el-Hedim.
Heri es-Souani: Walk through the vast granaries and stables built for Moulay Ismail's horses.
Place el-Hedim: Have lunch on the main square of Meknes.
Why Choose a Private Tour?
Detailed Itinerary
The Journey
"Your driver collects you at around 08:30 and drives west through olive groves and wheat fields to Volubilis. Spend about 2 hours on the site: the mosaic houses, the Basilica, the forum and the Arch of Caracalla. Official guides wait at the entrance if you want one."
The Journey
"A short drive brings you to the viewpoint above Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the holy town where Idris I, founder of the first Moroccan dynasty, is buried. Continue to Meknes for lunch on Place el-Hedim, opposite the great gate of Bab Mansour."
The Journey
"In the afternoon you see the imperial city that Sultan Moulay Ismail built in the late 17th century: the walls, the Sahrij Souani reservoir and the Heri es-Souani granaries and stables. Your driver takes you back to Fes by motorway and drops you at your riad or hotel in the late afternoon."
Trip Logistics & Comfort: What to Expect
Hotel Pickup
Your driver collects you at your riad or hotel in Fes. Pickup is usually around 08:30, earlier in summer.
Your Private Vehicle
Your Driver & Guide
"Your driver is more than a chauffeur; he is your local host."
Transparent Pricing & Inclusions
The price covers your private vehicle, fuel, motorway tolls and driver for the whole day. You pay separately for lunch, entrance fees, optional site guides and tips.
What is Included
- Private TransportationToyota Land Cruiser Prado with A/C, fuel and motorway tolls included.
- DriverEnglish-speaking driver dedicated to your group for the whole day.
- Door-to-Door ServicePickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Fes.
- Visits
- • Volubilis Roman city (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
- • Moulay Idriss Zerhoun viewpoint.
- • Meknes: Bab Mansour, Place el-Hedim and Heri es-Souani.
What is Not Included
- Entrance FeesVolubilis (70 MAD per adult) and Heri es-Souani, paid at the gate.
- Site GuidesOptional official guide at Volubilis, about 150–300 MAD per group.
- LunchAllow approximately €10–€12 (100–120 MAD) per person. Your driver recommends local restaurants, not tourist traps.
- TipsDiscretionary tips for your driver and local guides.
Booking, Payment and Cancellation
- Price basis
- Prices are per person, based on two travellers sharing. Larger groups pay less per person; a solo traveller pays more. The final price is confirmed in your written quote.
- Currency
- Tour prices are in US dollars. Meals, entrance fees and tips during the trip are paid in Moroccan dirhams (MAD).
- Deposit and balance
- A 15% deposit confirms the booking (PayPal, bank transfer or credit card). The balance is paid on arrival in Morocco.
- Cancellation
- Tell us in writing. Your deposit is fully refundable.
- Travel insurance
- Required, covering medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability.
Full details: booking terms and how tour prices work.
Questions About This Tour
Entry is 70 MAD per adult, paid at the gate. Official guides at the entrance charge about 150 to 300 MAD per group if you want one, which helps make sense of the ruins.
Volubilis first, in the cooler morning, because the site is open ground with little shade. Then the viewpoint over Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, lunch in Meknes on Place el-Hedim, and the imperial city of Moulay Ismail in the afternoon.
$80 is per person, based on two travellers sharing. It covers the private 4x4 with fuel and motorway tolls and your driver for the whole day, with pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel in Fes. Entrance fees, optional site guides, lunch and tips are extra.
Yes. The day can continue to Rabat or Chefchaouen instead of returning to Fes, or add a guide in Meknes or lunch in Moulay Idriss.
March to May and September to November. In summer, start earlier to see Volubilis before the heat.
Tour Details
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