Meknes And Volubis Day Tour

Day trip to Meknes & Volubis, and Moulay Idriss

Located in the heart of Morocco’s fertile Saïss plain, these three sites form a powerful "historical triangle" representing the Roman, early Islamic, and Imperial eras of the country. They are often visited together on a day trip from Fes (about 1 hour away) or Meknes.

1. Meknes: The "Versailles of Morocco."

Meknes is one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It reached its peak in the 17th century under Sultan Moulay Ismail, who transformed it into a majestic capital to rival Louis XIV's Paris.

Bab Mansour: Often called the most beautiful gate in Africa, this massive, intricately tiled portal is the gateway to the Imperial City.

Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail: One of the few active religious sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims, featuring exquisite zellij tilework and carved plaster.

Heri es-Souani: Massive royal granaries and stables that once housed 12,000 horses, cooled by an ingenious underground water system.

Place El Hedim: A large central square similar to Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fna, but more relaxed, perfect for people-watching at sunset.

2. Volubilis: Ancient Roman Splendor

Set against a backdrop of rolling olive groves, Volubilis (Walili) is the best-preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco. It was once a prosperous provincial capital that grew rich on olive oil exports.

The Mosaics: The site is famous for its remarkably well-preserved floor mosaics, including the Labors of Hercules and Bacchus and the Four Seasons, still located in their original villa foundations.

The Basilica & Capitol: The towering columns of the courthouse and temple stand strikingly against the sky.

Arch of Caracalla: A triumphal arch built in 217 AD to honor the Emperor, marking the end of the city's main street, the Decumanus Maximus.

3. Moulay Idriss: The Holy City

Visible from the ruins of Volubilis, this picturesque whitewashed town is perched across two hills. It is named after Moulay Idriss I, the great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad and founder of Morocco’s first Arab dynasty.

Spiritual Heart: It is considered the holiest town in Morocco. For many Moroccans, five pilgrimages to Moulay Idriss are seen as an alternative to the Hajj to Mecca.

The Mausoleum: While the shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, the town offers a unique spiritual atmosphere. You can view the distinctive green-tiled roofs of the sanctuary from the various "panoramic" lookout points at the top of the hills.

Cylindrical Minaret: Look for the Sentissi Mosque, which features Morocco’s only cylindrical minaret, decorated with green tiles and Kufic script.

Program:

Depart in the morning for one of Morocco's old imperial cities, Meknes. Enter the city through the large monumental gate of "Bab Mansour". It took fifty years to build the palace and its massive ramparts, but little remains today. Follow the old walls to explore the Ag Dal Basin, once used to water the royal gardens and the Sultan's immense stable of 12,000 horses. Within the city, visit the Mosque and Mausoleum of Ismail and its decorative tombs.

Then, after lunch, continue your trip to the Roman Ruins of Volubis. Dating from the third century BC, Volubis was aseat of provincial authority for a hundred years. The city produced wines, olive oil, and exported lumber to the Roman world. The site was ruined by an earthquake in the 17th century. Walk between the partially restored ruins and discover the intricate floor mosaics still intact.

Then continue towards the holy city of Moulay Idriss, settled in the Rif Mountains. A holy city for Muslim, if they can not make it to Mecca, they should at least visit this holy town. Visit the monumental gate, koranic schools, the fountains, and a new dome for the mausoleum. While the Tomb of Moulay Idriss is closed to non-Muslims, from the terrace near the Mosque of Sidi Abdallah el Hajjam, you can see breathtaking views of the town and the mausoleum.