Planning Your Time

If you’re short of time, Fez should be your priority. The ancient monuments of the medina and the leather tanneries can be explored in one or two days, although you should devote longer to losing yourself in the medieval city’s labyrinthine alleyways. A third day could be spent visiting the smaller and more manageable imperial city of Meknès and the impressive Roman ruins of Volubilis. With more time and transport—a rental car or tour—Fez makes the ideal base for day trips to alpine-style Ifrane and the Middle Atlas towns of Sefrou and Azrou. If you really want to experience Berber culture, spend the night in the troglodyte village of Bhalil; or visit the Holy City of Moulay Idriss, just a stone’s throw from Volubilis.