Guide to Volubilis—the Best Roman Ruins in Morocco

It’s time to add Volubilis to your Moroccan wish list!

Did you know there are Roman ruins in Morocco? It’s amazing when you look at maps of the “old world” and see the reach of the Roman Empire—where did the Romans not go?

Touring the Roman ruins of Volubilis in Morocco was a special treat and a fascinating contrast to the rest of Morocco. Here’s what you can expect when you visit and what not to miss.

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Volubilis Ruins Visit Details & Tips

The Roman ruins at Volubilis are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Entry is 70 Dirhams ($7.25 USD).
You can hire local guides for around 150 – 200 Dirhams ($15 to $20 USD). It’s a good idea to hire a guide as there are few signs at the ruins to indicate what you’re looking at.
Volubilis is around 22 miles (35 km) away from the city of Meknes and 50 miles (80 km) from Fes. Most people who visit the site stay in one of those cities.
Unfortunately, there is no public transportation directly from either city. You either need to rent a car, take a taxi, or join a group tour. You can also visit Volubilis by car from Casablanca, and it’s a little over three hours.
There is little protection from the sun at this site, so keep that in mind when you visit. Summers get really hot, and even in the winter (I went in November) it can be quite warm.
Make sure to bring a hat, lots of sunscreen, and water to drink. Facilities are limited. There are some food carts and a small place to buy snacks right outside the ruin, but there is no restaurant. There are bathrooms available for use.
There is little protection from the sun at this site, so keep that in mind when you visit. Summers get really hot, and even in the winter (I went in November) it can be quite warm.
You are able to tour the Volubilis site with or without a guide. There are no restrictions on where to go or what to touch at the site.

Tips for Visiting Volubilis

There is little protection from the sun at this site, so keep that in mind when you visit. Summers get really hot, and even in the winter (I went in November), it can be quite warm.

Make sure to bring a hat, lots of sunscreen, and water to drink. Facilities are limited. There are some food carts and a small place to buy snacks right outside the ruin, but there is no restaurant.

There are bathrooms available for use at the entrance.

Visiting Volubilis from Fes

There are a number of group tours from Fes.

If you decide to take a taxi, there is a train that goes from Fes to Meknes to reduce the cost of the taxi ride. You can also ask your hotel or riad in either city to see if they offer any organized tours to Volubilis.

A Brief History of Volubilis in Morocco

Volubilis is one of the best-preserved Roman ruins. Our guide said it is named after a flower similar to the morning glory. It is located between the Imperial Cities of Meknes and Fes and was founded in the 3rd century B.C. by the local Berber people. In 146 B.C., it fell under Roman rule.

In 25 B.C., it became the capital of the Roman state, Mauritania, under King Juba II. He married the daughter of Mark Antony and Cleopatra and adopted Roman tastes.

King Juba built the city in the Roman architectural style. This now partially excavated Roman ruin became an important outpost for the Roman Empire at the time.

At its peak, around 20,000 people were believed to have lived there. The town’s wealth came from agriculture, and the fields surrounding the city in every direction proved rich for olive and grain growth.

Tensions grew when residents started pressuring Rome for status and financial concessions. Local tribes were also putting pressure on the city. This led Rome to walk away from the settlement in 285 A.D.

After the Romans Left

Volubilis, Morocco, was inhabited for the next 700 years, first by Christians and then by the Muslims who moved into the area in the 8th century.

It became the seat of power of the Idrisid dynasty in Morocco in the late 8th century but was abandoned by the 11th century when the seat of power moved to Fes.

The Roman ruins of Volubilis remained empty until they were destroyed by the Lisbon earthquake in the mid-18th century. Moroccan rulers then used some of the stone to build the nearby city of Meknes, which rose to power and became an imperial city.

In the late 19th century, when Morocco was under French rule, the ruins were identified as the ancient city of Volubilis. During this time, and unofficially earlier in the same century, the French excavated around half of the site.

Then, in 1997, the Roman ruins of Volubilis became a UNESCO World Heritage site.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

If you have read more than a few of my posts, you will know that I love UNESCO World Heritage Sites and actively seek them out when I travel. Why? Because they are always amazing!

This organization is dedicated to preserving these world treasures, and I love supporting their work and seeing the results of it. They choose places with natural, cultural, architectural, scientific, or other significance and fund preservation efforts seeking to protect them from damage.

What to See at the Morocco Roman Ruins of Volubilis

I’m a bit of a history ~~nerd~~ nut and love all historic architecture. Seeing the Roman ruins of Volubilis was one of the highlights of my trip to Morocco.

It’s such a striking contrast to the Moorish architecture to see the distinctly Roman pillars and arches.

You can see many of the typical Roman public buildings and monuments, like the Forum, triumphal arch, basilica, a temple, and a Roman bathhouse.

You can also see the ancient ruins of many old homes. Some of the largest and wealthiest houses had mosaics that have been partially and painstakingly restored for viewing.

When you enter the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis, you walk down some steps to an area with a small museum. It includes some mosaics and carvings and some artifacts unearthed in the excavation.

You can also see a large map of the Roman Empire that shows just how far it spread. It’s pretty incredible to think of it!

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1. Triumphal Arch

The Arch of Caracalla is one of the structures that stands out among the ruins. It is situated at the end of the city’s main street. The governor, Marcus Aurelius Sebastenus, built the arch to honor the Emporer Caracalla. It was constructed from local stone.

There was a bronze chariot pulling six horses on top of the arch, and there were statues of nymphs pouring water into a marble basin at the foot of the arch.

There was also a large public fountain in front of the arch, large enough for people and horses to use. You can see the stones worn smooth in areas where the horses used to stand to drink.

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2. Thermal Baths

These public thermal baths were supplied with water from the aqueduct. Roman baths were an integral part of their society back in the day, serving both practical use and a cultural one.

People sat on the hot stones for their weekly wash as they did not have public water running to their homes. The baths also allowed people to catch up on the latest gossip around town.

If you’re interested in Roman baths, you can try a Moroccan hammam, which is similar. A Moroccan hammam is a traditional Moroccan bath, and it’s a fun thing to do when visiting Morocco.

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3. Temple of Jupiter

This temple was erected to honor the Roman gods Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva. According to our guide, a council met at the temple to declare war and then later returned here with their winnings.

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4. Basilica

Our guide told us this was only one of two located in northern Africa, with the second at Lepcis. It was built in the early 3rd century A.D. and was part of the forum complex.

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5. Mosaic Floors

One of the highlights of a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis is the extensive mosaics that you can see in the ruins of some of the excavated private houses. There are many throughout the site, and they are stunning and intricate.

There is also some humor in the mosaics: one of a man riding a horse backward in a parody of sorts. You can see stories of Hercules and many others from famed Roman stories.

6. Olive Press

This building was an olive press, and you can see the press in the foreground of the picture. Agriculture, and particularly olive growing, was a significant contributor to the wealth of the city of Volubilis. In walking through the ruined city, you can see a couple of olive presses.

Olives can be used for many things, and they were in Roman times as well. Of course, you can eat the olives and make olive oil, which is made from the first press. The second press is used for making products for the skin and face. The third was used for light in lamps.

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7. Main Road—Decumanus Maximus

The columns on the left lined the main road in Volubilis, called the Decumanus Maximus. It ran the length of the city and ended at the Arch of Caracalla.

If you close your eyes, maybe you can envision the busy scene. It was filled with people going about their days, catching up with friends, shopping, and walking around.

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Final Thoughts on the Ancient Morocco Roman Ruins of Volubilis

For the reconstructed buildings and mosaics, Volubilis is an impressive place to see. I love walking through ruins like this, closing my eyes, and picturing what it was once like for those who lived there.

It takes some creativity and openness to try to visualize the city that it once was, but you can see glimpses everywhere. It’s an incredible place to visit and a unique Morocco area to see.