Nicknamed Little Switzerland, Ifrane is a pretty Moroccan town where, instead of chaotic bazaars, there are manicured gardens, mountain chalets and a chic alpine style . At over 1,700m, people come here in winter to ski : it is famous for its ski resort which has five slopes and two ski lifts. But it is not only this that has earned it the epithet “mountaineer”: clean air, order and care, make it look like a small Swiss town.
In short, an unusual Morocco that is really difficult to imagine. Here is a guide to organizing a trip to Ifrane, Morocco: where is it, when to go and what to see. Let’s find out together!
Travel informed: useful information
- Inhabitants : 73,782
- Language : Arabic, Berber, French
- Local currency : Moroccan dirham (MAD) / exchange rate: € 1.00 = MAD 10.89
- Climate : continental, with a cold winter and abundant snowfall and with hot summers, but never hot. Cool nights even in summer and even cold at high altitudes
- Time zone : GMT + 1 (identical time with respect to Italy)
- Entry requirements : passport with residual validity of 6 months; visa not required for tourist stays of less than 3 months
- Security info : not being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Morocco, there are no particular dangers in terms of attacks and crime. However, it is advisable to visit the section on the Farnesina website
- Nearest Airports : The small airport of Ifrane is served only by charters from London and Casablanca. For the rest, the closest airports are those of Fez (46.3 km) and Rabat-sale (161.87 km).
Where is it
? City of Morocco, in the province of the same name, in the region of Fes-Meknes. It is located in the mountains of the Middle Atlas at over 1,700 meters above sea level . It is a winter tourist destination whose main attraction is the ski slopes. It is nicknamed Little Switzerland and is considered the cleanest city in the world.
How to get
- From Milan or Rome : stopover in Casablanca and from there charter flight. Alternatively, I fly to Fez and from there by taxi (about 50 km). Average flight time 9 h 30 min – Compare flights
- From the main European capitals : not even from the European capitals there are direct. The solutions are like from Milan or Rome
When to go
Info on climate and best period
Month Average temperatures (min / max) Precipitation (days / mm) January -1 / 10 ° 11 days / 140 mm
February 0/10 ° 12 days / 175 mm
March 1/12 ° 12 days / 125 mm
April 3rd / 13th 12th day / 130mm
May 6th / 18th 10th day / 75mm
June 9th / 22nd 6th day / 40mm
July 14th / 29th 4th day / 15mm
August 14th / 29th 4th day / 15 mm
September 11/25 ° 6 days / 35 mm
October 7/18 ° 8 days / 75 mm
November 3/12 ° 11 days / 180 mm
December 0/9 ° 10 days / 140 mm
- Climate : cold continental due to the altitude. In summer it is hot during the day even at quite high altitudes, while the nights are more or less cool depending on the altitude. 1,100 mm of rain fall per year and in winter it often snows
- Best period : from May to October the temperatures are pleasant, ranging between 20 ° and 25 °. Winter is cold but it is ideal for those who want to ski
- Period to avoid : April because it is the rainiest month
- Advice : when preparing your suitcase, think about going to the mountains and not to Africa! Especially in the winter months, warm clothing and ski equipment
10 things to see in Ifrane and its surroundings
You cannot miss the cedars of the Atlas , the densest and most majestic woods of the Central Mid-Atlas. A walk in this extraordinary place will truly be a breath of fresh air! And don’t forget to admire the Gourand cedar , unmistakable with its gigantic candlestick-shaped branches that reach up to 10 meters in circumference. During the excursion, you can be sure that there will be nice monkeys waiting for you (cute monkeys but also very spiteful!).
Being a mountain resort there are numerous rivers and waterfalls; the Vittel spring is the most famous and is located within a wonderful forest of maples and poplars. Ideal for hiking or short walks. They also organize horseback riding tours, unmissable in summer!
Another must-see is the Blue Mausoleum , located on the road to Meknes. It is a mausoleum dedicated to Sidi Abdesslam, a saint of the sixteenth century. Tourists are amazed by its splendor: covered in blue zellij and a must see for all pilgrims. Surrounded by cypresses and olive trees you will find some traditional houses now used as a warehouse.
- Ski resort : with five slopes and two ski lifts and the most popular attraction for tourists
- Ancient cedar forest : a few kilometers from the city center, an enchanted and uncontaminated place where you can relax, admire ancient trees and take beautiful walks
- Vittel spring : one of the most evocative landscapes of Ifrane where you can admire impetuous waterfalls. It can be reached via a path that winds through maple and poplar forests and wide valleys. Possibility to reach the area on horseback
- Circuit des Lacs : hiking route of almost 50 km where it is possible to admire the enchanting Afennourir lake, located in the center of an expanse of cedar trees, and then up towards the small mountain lakes Aoua and Daiet
- Center-ville : the most modern part of the city where the theater, some characteristic clubs, the statue with the Lion, the park around the lake and practically all the attractions connected to skiing or the university are located
- Typical houses : the historic center of Ifrane, of French origin, is characterized by its buildings with typical alpine architecture: in wood and with sloping roofs
- Zawiya by Sidi Abdul-Salaml and the minaret : the typical monuments of the Moroccan tradition, mosque and relative minaret that overlooks the entire town. The entrance to the mosque is allowed only to Muslims, but it is absolutely worth a visit from the outside
- Rue de la Cascade : the main street of Ifrane where you have the greatest gastronomic offer of the place. It is overlooked by the Palazzo delle Poste, the Chamonix Hotel and the famous block of houses with typical Alpine characteristics
- Jardin Mohamed V : the best urban park in Ifrane. These are very small but very well kept gardens. There is a small pond and huge fir trees typical of this area
- Al Akhawayn University : established in 1993, it is classified as one of the most expensive universities in Morocco. It stands out for its typical French Alpine architecture with ocher buildings and red roofs, inside there is a mosque and other luxury accessories
How much does it cost to visit Ifrane
Prices, offers and advice
Photo by Tamaditi Mohamed. In Ifrane it is difficult to find cheap accommodation since most of the structures are integrated into luxury resorts , often equipped with an indoor spa, or they are high-level international accommodation facilities. For cheaper accommodation, it is best to look in Azrou , a small town just 15 minutes away by taxi (the ride costs on average € 1.00).
Another economical alternative is to rent an apartment, consider an average of 150.00 MAD (€ 14.00) per day. If you have a camper, just outside Ifrane is the huge 3 ARZ Complex, an equipped and modernly built area designed for campers. Similar speech also for meals: the restaurants in the center of Ifrane have costs very similar to those in Europe .
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 31.00 per room – see the offers
- Low cost flights: to Fes (65 km) starting from € 180.00 – check the offers
