Nicknamed Little Switzerland, Ifrane is a pretty Moroccan resort where, instead of chaotic bazaars, there are manicured gardens, mountain chalets and chic Alpine style. At an altitude of more than 1,700 m, people come here in winter to ski: it is in fact famous for its ski resort with no less than five slopes and two ski lifts. But it is not only this that earns it the epithet 'mountain': the clean air, tidiness and neatness make it resemble a small Swiss town.
In short, an unusual Morocco that is really hard to imagine. Here is a guide to planning a trip to Ifrane, Morocco: where it is, when to go and what to see. Let's find out together!
Informed travel: useful info
Inhabitants: 73,782
Language: Arabic, Berber, French
Local currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD) / exchange rate: €1.00 = 10.89 MAD
Climate: continental, with a cold winter and heavy snowfall and hot but never torrid summers. Cool nights even in summer and even cold at high altitudes
Time zone: GMT+1 (identical time to Italy)
Entry requirements: passport with residual validity of 6 months; visa not necessary 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 Ifrane airport is only served by charters from London and Casablanca. Otherwise, the closest airports are those of Fez (46.3 km) and Rabat-salé (161.87 km)
Where it is located
City in Morocco, in the province of the same name, in the Fès-Meknès region. It is located in the Middle Atlas Mountains at an altitude of over 1,700 metres. It is a winter tourist destination whose main attraction are the ski slopes. It is nicknamed Little Switzerland and is considered the cleanest city in the world.
How to get there
From Milan or Rome: stopover in Casablanca and from there charter flight. Alternatively, flight to Fez and from there by taxi (approx. 50 km). Average journey time by plane 9 h 30 min - Compare flights
Frommajor European capitals: there are no direct flights either. The solutions are the same as from Milan or Rome
When to go? Info on climate and best time
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 | 3 / 13° | 12 days / 130 mm |
May | 6 / 18° | 10 days / 75 mm |
June | 9 / 22° | 6 days / 40 mm |
July | 14 / 29° | 4 days / 15 mm |
August | 14 / 29° | 4 days / 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: continental cold due to the altitude. In summer, it is hot during the day even at fairly high altitudes, while the nights are more or less cool depending on the altitude. 1,100 mm of rain falls annually and it often snows in winter
Best period: from May to October, temperatures are pleasant, ranging between 20° and 25°. Winter is cold but ideal for those who want to ski
Period to avoid: April because it is the rainiest month
Advice: when packing your suitcase, think about going to the mountains and not to Africa! Especially in the winter months, heavy clothing and ski equipment
10 things to see in and around Ifrane
You cannot miss the Atlas cedars, the thickest and most majestic forests in the central mid-Atlas. A walk in this extraordinary place will really 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 metres in circumference. During the hike, rest assured that there will be cute but also very mischievous monkeys ( bertucce ) waiting for you.
Being a mountain location, there are numerous rivers and waterfalls; the Vittel spring is the most famous and is located within a beautiful maple and poplar forest. It is ideal for hiking or short walks. They also organise horse-riding tours, not to be missed in summer!
Another must-see is the Blue Mausoleum, located on the road to Meknes. It is a mausoleum dedicated to Sidi Abdesslam, a 16th century saint. Tourists are amazed by its splendour: covered in blue zelliges, it is a must-see for all pilgrims. Surrounded by cypress and olive trees, you will discover a few traditional dwellings now used as warehouses.
Ski resort: with no less than five pistes and two ski lifts, it is the main attraction for tourists
Ancient cedar forest: a few kilometres from the town centre, an enchanted and unspoilt place to relax, admire ancient trees and take beautiful walks
Vittel spring: one of Ifrane's most evocative landscapes where you can admire impetuous waterfalls. It is reached by a path that winds through maple and poplar forests and wide valleys. Possibility of reaching the area on horseback
Circuit des Lacs: a hiking trail of almost 50 km where you can admire the enchanting Afennourir lake, located in the middle of an expanse of cedar trees, and then climb up to the small mountain lakes Aoua and Daiet
Centre-ville: the most modern part of the town where you will find the theatre, some quaint places, the statue with the Lion, the park around the lake and practically all the attractions related to skiing or the university
Typical houses: the historic centre of Ifrane, of French origin, is characterised by its buildings with typical Alpine-style architecture: wooden and with sloping roofs
Zawiya of Sidi Abdul-Salaml and the minaret: the typical monuments of Moroccan tradition, mosque and its minaret overlooking the entire town. Definitely worth a visit, even if only from the outside
Rue de la Cascade: the main street of Ifrane where you have the most gastronomic offerings of the place. It is overlooked by the Palais des Postes, the Chamonix Hotel and the famous block of houses with typical Alpine features
Jardin Mohamed V: the best urban park in Ifrane. These gardens are very small but very well cared for. There is a small pond and huge fir trees typical of this area
Al Akhawayn University: established in 1993, it is ranked as one of the most expensive universities in Morocco. It stands out for its typical French alpine architecture with ochre buildings and red roofs, and inside there is a mosque and other luxury accoutrements.
How much does it cost to visit Ifrane? Prices, offers and tips
Photo by Tamaditi Mohamed. It is difficult to find cheap accommodation in Ifrane as most of the facilities are integrated into luxury resorts, often with in-house spas, or are high-end international accommodation. For cheaper accommodation, it is worth looking in Azrou, a small town only 15 minutes away by taxi (the ride costs an average of €1.00).
Another cheap alternative is to rent a flat, consider an average of MAD 150.00 (€14.00) per day. If you have a camper van, just outside Ifrane is the huge 3 Complex ARZ, a modern, well-equipped area designed for campers. The same applies to meals: the restaurants in the centre of Ifrane are very similar in cost to those in Europe.
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €31.00 per room - see offers
Cheap flights: toFes (65 km) from €180.00 - see offers
