Volubilis, Moulay Idriss & Meknes: Our Day Trip From Fez With Kids

Our day trip was hosted by Viajes Marrakech. Opinions are our own.

On our second day in Fez, in June 2017, the driver Mohamed from Viajes Marrakech picked us up at our riad at 9am for the classic day trip: the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the holy town of Moulay Idriss, and the imperial city of Meknes. Damian was 4 and Marc was 1. It was 40°C. That number decides most of this post.

Quick answers

• Is Volubilis worth it with kids? Yes, but not at midday in summer. There’s almost no shade.
• Tickets: about 70 MAD for adults and 30 MAD for under-12s.
• Timing: it opens at 8am. Be there then in summer.
• All three in one day? Doable with a driver, but with toddlers I’d drop Moulay Idriss.

Volubilis: Roman ruins in the heat

Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman city in Morocco, around 60 km from Fez. It’s twenty hectares of ruins with a triumphal arch, the Capitol, baths, a basilica and floor mosaics still in place. Our guide explained that the Romans stayed for around 300 years before the Berbers took over.

It’s also a field of stone with almost no shade. At 40°C, both boys were done within a short walk. We saw the arch and the main street and went back to the car. What I’d do differently: arrive at 8am opening time, bring hats, water and the carrier rather than the stroller, and do Volubilis first, before the heat.

Moulay Idriss

A white hillside town a few minutes from Volubilis, and one of Morocco’s most important pilgrimage sites. We only made a short stop. With hot, tired kids, that was right.

Meknes: El-Hedim square and Bab Mansour

Meknes was one of Morocco’s imperial cities. We walked across El-Hedim square and stood under Bab Mansour, a huge gate covered in arches and green-and-white mosaic. It reminded me of our trip to Marrakech. Then it was back to the riad for dinner.

Is the Volubilis day trip worth it with kids?

For history-loving parents, yes. For small kids, the ruins are mostly something you carry them through. If your children are under 5, go early, keep it short, and treat Meknes as the bonus. In the cooler months, from October to April, the same day is far more pleasant.

How to do it

• With a driver: easiest with kids, and the car is your shade. Ours was arranged by Viajes Marrakech.
• Booked tour:
• Bring: hats, at least 1.5 litres of water per person, sun cream, and a carrier.

Where we stayed in Fez: Riad Borj Dhab · The medina day: Fez with kids · All of Morocco: Morocco with toddlers

Volubilis day trip: FAQ

How much is the entrance to Volubilis?

About 70 MAD for adults and 30 MAD for children under 12. Check on the day, because prices change.

What are the opening hours of Volubilis?

Roughly 8:00 to 19:30 in summer and 8:00 to 17:30 in winter.

Is Volubilis suitable for young children?

Yes, but there is almost no shade. We visited at 40°C with a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old and kept it short. Go at opening time in summer.

Can you visit Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes in one day from Fez?

Yes, with a driver. We did all three in one day from Fez, leaving at 9am and back at our riad for dinner.