Meknes / One Day
Journey and discover the best of Volubilis & Meknes on this One Day Excursion.

YOUR ITINERARY

• Depart from Fes to explore the breathtaking archaeological site of Volubilis. The Roman ruins of Volubilis, also referred to as Oualili, was once a thriving town occupied by the Romans. Volubilis has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and gained international acclaim when Martin Scorsese made it a feature location for the film The Last Temptation of Christ. Discover the fascinating Roman ruins adorned with beautiful mosaics and colorful tiles depicting Roman mythology. The ruins are spread out across several acres and what remains visible is several fragments of wall, parts of massive columns, the capitol, the basilica, and a triumphal arch. The ruins reveal how the Roman Empire transformed the original Carthaginian settlement into a typical Roman city complete with mansions, a town center, a triumphal arch, and temples devoted to Roman gods.
• Enjoy tea at the small café that sits just below the Volubilis ruins.
• Then take the road to visit the white washed town of Moulay Idriss. Moulay Idriss was forbidden to non-Muslims until 1916, however today, it welcomes visitors from all over the world. Most travelers who visit Moulay Idriss come to see the green tiled tomb of Moulay Idriss I. Moulay Idriss I was the great-grandson of the prophet Mohamed and the founder of the first Arab Muslim Dynasty in Morocco and Fes.
• Explore the holy town of Moulay Idriss with its high defensive walls, monumental gate, koranic schools, fountains, and domed mausoleum. The Tomb of Moulay Idriss is closed to non-Muslims, but from the terrace near the Mosque of Sidi Abdallah el Hajjam, you can see breathtaking views of the town and the mausoleum.
• Take the road to Meknes. Lunch in Meknes in the old French part of town. Visit a lookout with a panoramic view of Meknes over the medina with its numerous soaring minarets.
• Visit the Musée Dar Jamaï. The Jar Jamai museum shows modern Moroccan arts, woodwork, ceramics, carpets, costumes, jewelry, and metalwork. The sophisticated building was once a palace incorporating a mosque, menzah, courtyard, kitchen, and hammam.
• Next, visit the Bou Inania Madrasa to explore the beautiful Koranic school established by the Merinids in the 14th century.
• Place El-Hedim is the central public square in Meknes that comes alive in the afternoon. Be sure to visit the Bab el Mansour Gate which is regarded as one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco and the most important gateway in Meknes. It opens into the mechouar of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The gate was named after El Mansour, the architect, and was completed in 1732. El Mansour was a Christian rebel who converted to Islam. Stop by the Meknes Olive Market to taste the decadent and delightful selection of olives.
• Dine in the Ville Nouvelle.
• Return to your riad or hotel in Fes.

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