Ifrane & the cedar forest
إفرانCool mountain air, alpine houses and wild Barbary macaques.
Nearest host city Fes
Best for Families, a cool escape from the summer heat, nature.
Overview
Ifrane, in the Middle Atlas at about 1,650 m, was built in the 1930s in an alpine style, with sloping red roofs and parks. It is often called the 'Switzerland of Morocco' and is much cooler than Fes in summer. The cedar forests around Azrou are home to wild Barbary macaques, an endangered species.
How to get there
About 1 hour by road from Fes. Grand taxis and buses from Fes; easiest by car or private driver.
Highlights
Ifrane town & the stone lion
Clean streets, gardens and the famous stone lion statue, a favourite photo spot.
Cedar forest of Azrou
Walk among giant Atlas cedars and see wild Barbary macaques.
Lakes of the Middle Atlas
Dayet Aoua and other lakes for picnics and short walks.
Ain Vittel spring
A shady spring and waterfall area popular with families.
Local tips
- Do not feed the macaques: it makes them sick and aggressive.
- Bring a sweater: evenings are cool even in July.
Explore Morocco
- Chefchaouen: The blue city of the Rif mountains.
- Meknes & Volubilis: An imperial city and the best Roman ruins in Morocco.
- Essaouira: A windy, artistic port town with blue boats and ramparts.
- Ouzoud Waterfalls: Morocco's most spectacular waterfalls, with monkeys and rainbows.
- Imlil & Mount Toubkal: Hiking in the High Atlas, under North Africa's highest peak.
- Ouarzazate & Aït Ben Haddou: Earthen kasbahs and film-set landscapes beyond the Atlas.
- Merzouga & the Sahara: Golden dunes, camel rides and a night under the stars.
- Laayoune & the Sahara coast: The largest city of the Moroccan Sahara, between dunes and ocean.
- Dakhla: A turquoise lagoon in the desert, a world capital of kitesurfing.