The Ancient Ruins & Medinas of Morocco

Stepping into Morocco feels like opening a history book you can walk through. Between the whispering ruins of Volubilis and the vivid medinas of Fes and Marrakech, each moment here feels alive with culture of the past and present. Together, these three destinations tell the story of Morocco’s soul. Ancient empires, Islamic scholars, master craftsmen, and storytellers have all left their mark here, and now it's time for you to explore.

Medinas of Fes

Fes is a city that feels magical as it comes alive. We recommend staying here for a few days as a home-base. Waking up in a riad, or a traditional Moroccan home, within the medina, a walled, ancient part of a city, means waking to the sounds of life beginning: distant chatter, clinking teacups, a cart rolling by. The Medina of Fes el Bali is one of the world’s oldest and most intact medieval cities, a living labyrinth of narrow lanes, workshops, and courtyards. Lose yourself - quite literally! - among the leather tanneries, the scent of cedar and spices, and the echo of call to prayer bouncing off centuries-old walls. Watch artisans shape pottery by hand, listen to metalworkers hammer patterns into brass, and sip mint tea from a rooftop café as the city unfolds below you. Fes invites you to move slowly, to wander without a checklist, to experience not just the sights but the rhythm of life that has pulsed here for over a millennium.

Ancient Ruins of Volubilis

Begin in Volubilis, Morocco’s most spectacular Roman ruin. About an hour and a half from Fes, which makes for a great day trip, the site unfolds across an open plain with rows of broken columns, intricate mosaics, and the bones of temples once home to a thriving city. Wander slowly, noticing how the morning light paints the ancient stones gold. The mosaics - still vivid with images of gods and animals - offer glimpses into a world that existed nearly two thousand years ago. Volubilis is a place to pause and reflect on human history as you walk the steps of Roman soldiers and Berber townsfolk centuries ago. Our pro-tip is to get here early, as the sun rises across the open plain, to see the light dance on the mosaics in a more quiet moment with the past. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of the storks who famously nest atop the ancient columns.

Medina of The Red City

Marrakech, known as The Red City for the bight sandstone of its buildings, is as vibrant in feeling as it is in looks. Its medina is a sensory experience of color, sound, and texture. Founded nearly a thousand years ago, it remains a cultural and spiritual center of Morocco. As you step into Jemaa el-Fna Square at dusk, food stalls blaze to life, musicians drum, and locals gather under the fading sky. Yet behind the bustle of the city are quiet courtyards and hidden riads where calm returns in their tiled gardens, trickling fountains, and the scent of orange blossom drifting in the air. Get lost in the souks - or markets - letting your curiosity guide you, or simply absorb the beauty of the city from a rooftop café overlooking the Koutoubia’s minaret, a famous 12th century mosque that holds historical and cultural significance.

Tips Before You Go

• Pack comfortable shoes: cobbles, uneven ruins, medina lanes.

• Carry water and shade for the ruins day.

• Accept that in medinas you’ll get a little lost – that’s part of the journey! And carry your accommodation address in Arabic, just in case.

• Reserve some time to do nothing: sit in a garden, sip mint tea, watch life drift by.

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