How to visit Volubillis and Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun, and get from Fez to Meknes in the same trip

Fez to Meknes was to be the second of my 5 train rides in Morocco, but I got an opportunity to go between these two cities in a limousine which provided the opportunity to see the Roman ruins at Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun.

Fez to Meknes by train is normally 45 minutes, but trip by limo was about 5 hours.  Taking the limo also provided me with a chance to pass through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.  The driver was arranged for me by Abdul who I met on the train. from Tangier to Fes.  The train Fez to Meknes was about $5, and the limo ride with a stop a Volubilis and a pass through Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun was about $50.  I thought it was a pretty good deal.

The two maps below show my travels from Fez to Meknes.  The first map with the area circled in red was to be the second of my five train rides.  The second map shows the alternate routing allowing me to pass by and visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis and drive through the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun.

Fez to Meknes by TrainFez to Meknes via Volubilis and Moulay Idriss du ZerhounThe Roman ruins at Volubilis are on the other side of the small mountain range to the west of Fez.  The limo driver picked me up at the Perla Hotel at 10 AM in Fez, and we headed off towards Volubilis.  As you leave Fez you go through mile after mile of olive orchards.  This is quite amazing to me still because prior to visiting northern Morocco I had the picture of everything being desert.  After being here I realized that being near the Mediterranean the climate is very much like Southern California.  In fact, if I did not see all the Arabic writing, and all the women in Muslim garb, I cold have easily guessed I was in Southern California.  Leaving Fez towards Volubilis, one slowly climbs up the hill past a lake, and after crossing the top of the hill, you head south towards Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun.  Below are some pictures on the road from Fez to Volubilis.

Olive groves are on both side of the road as you head northwest out of Fez.
We are just reaching the outskirts of Fez on the way to Volubilis.
You have to make a right shortly after leaving Fez to get to Volubilis.
You have to make a right shortly after leaving Fez to get to Volubilis.
Many olive groves are passed as you leave Fez.
Many olive groves are passed as you leave Fez.
The road slowly riises as you start to cross the hills on the way from Fez to Volubilis.
The road slowly rises as you start to cross the hills on the way from Fez to Volubilis.

You pass by many mosques as you drive through Morocco.  In fact is seems that a mosque is always in your view.

One of the many mosques you see all the time in Morocco.  This mosque has the Atlas mountains in the background.
One of the many mosques you see all the time in Morocco. This mosque has the Atlas mountains in the background.

One passes by Lake Nzala el Oudaia when traveling from Fez to Volubilis.  This is not a natural lake, and is used to irrigation.  Most of the rivers in Morocco are dammed so that the water supply can be carefully managed.  Rain has been lower in Morocco the last few years so that many of the lakes have a very low water level.

Lake Nzala el Odaia had a very low water level as we passed.
Lake Nzala el Odaia had a very low water level as we passed.

We continued up and across the hill, and turned south shortly after crossing the hills.  After turning south one starts down into a large plain.  Shortly, we could see the Roman ruin of Volubilis as we approached.  Below are some photos showing the approach.

Approaching the Roman ruins of Volibilis.
Approaching the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Looking across the rich agricultural valley that also holds the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis
Looking across the rich agricultural valley that also holds the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis

Volubilis was first developed about the 3 century BC by the Phoenicians / Carthaginians for agricultural purposes.  The development proceeded a lot faster after the Romans took over beginning about the 1st century AD.  At its height there would about 15,000 residents.  The main product of the region was olive oil.  The Romans maintained control until the late 2nd century AD when local tribes recaptured the area.  The current ruins occupy about 40 hectares (about 100 acres).  Only about 1/3 of the area has been studied and excavated by archeologists.  After loosing control, the Romans did not try to recapture the region primary because the area was hard to defend against the many invaders.  A good history of Volubilis can be found at (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volubilis).

Much of the construction was still standing until an earthquake occurred in the 17 century AD.  The remaining structures after the Romans departed became a source of marble and building materials for homes and building in both Fez and Meknes.

If I remember correctly, the cost to visit the Roman ruins at Volubilis was 10 Dirhams.  Just is just a little more that $1.00 US.  Once inside, there are locals that offer their services as a guide.  I obtained a guide to show me around at a cost of $120 Dirhams.  This was about $15.00.  The guide stayed with me for the 90 minutes it took to walk the grounds, and he spoke very good English.  Below are some of the pictures I took while visiting the Roman ruins at Volubilis.

Taxi's and limousines wait outside of the grounds at Volubilis while groups and individuals visit the ruins.
Taxi’s and limousines wait outside of the grounds at Volubilis while groups and people visit the ruins.
The ruins are about a 10 minute walk from the parking area.
The ruins are about a 10 minute walk from the parking area.

Volubilis was an agricultural community, and not a large city.  Being a smaller community, there are not large temples, or sporting arenas to be seen.  Most of the ruins are the homes of the residents.  The larger building are the town administrative area, a temple, and a small central area.  Many of the old aqueducts that took water through the city still exist, along with tiled floors in many of the remaining homes.

Entering the Volubilis ruins
Entering the Volubilis ruins

DSCN4121DSCN4130DSCN4166DSCN4172DSCN4196DSCN4223DSCN4244DSCN4255DSCN4240DSCN4225DSCN4237DSCN4208DSCN4192DSCN4184DSCN4191DSCN4146DSCN4138DSCN4113The holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun sits in a mountain valley overlooking Volubilis.  This city is very important to Moroccan’s because this is where the Muslim religion was first introduced into the country.  The city is looks very beautiful when looking up the mountain from Volubilis.  We drove up to, and through Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun after visiting the ruins on the way to Meknes.  The link here provides a background on the city, and the introduction of the Muslim religion to Morocco: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moulay_Idriss_Zerhoun.

Below are some of the pictures I got after leaving Volubilis, and driving through the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun on the way to Meknes.

Starting up the road to Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun after leaving Volubilis.
Starting up the road to Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun after leaving Volubilis.
The first site of the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun as we come up the mounting road after leaving Volubilis.
The first site of the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun as we come up the mounting road after leaving Volubilis.

There are lots of mosques, places to eat, and hotels to stay in Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun.  I wish that I had more time to visit this place, but the day was starting to get short, and I had to get to my hotel in Meknes.

I am not sorry that I took a limousine from Fez to Meknes instead of taking the train.  I got to see more of Morocco that I would not have otherwise seen.

I will say that if you ever visit Morocco, you should definitely include the Roman ruins at Volubilis on your list of things to see, and if you have time, visit the holy city of Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun.

Following is a link to the gallery of photos of my trip to Meknes from Fez with a stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and a drive through Moulay Idriss du Zerhoun:

http://www.memorypoint.net/popeblog/gallery/fez-to-meknes-via-volubilis-and-moulay-idriss-du-zerhoun-30-december-2012/