Ifrane Morocco Guide: 7 Best Things to Do in Little Switzerland

When individuals think of a Trip To Morocco, they tend to visualize sand dunes of gold, or large-packed red-walled medinas. The sight, however, as I got out of my 4×4 in to the cold air of the pines, Ifrane Morocco, was more reminiscent of the Alps than Morocco. Ifrane with its slanting red-tiled roofs, well trimmed parks and its renowned stone lion as the guardian of the city provide a refreshing breeze to the desert heat in the country.

Ifrane is one of the stops you have to make in the Middle Atlas whether you are visiting a Grand Morocco Tour or your own specific Atlas Mountains Tour. I will provide this indispensable guide with the knowledge of the boots-on-the-ground observations I have collected during the years of taking travelers around this area; the best local honey stalls; the mystery of the cedar forests.

Why Ifrane Morocco is the “Little Switzerland” of Africa

Ifrane was constructed in the 1920s by the French as a French hill station (garden city). It is the lowest recorded temperature in Africa, with a record of -23.9 o C (5,463 ft) and is the highest elevation (1,665 meters). To the travellers of Trips In Morocco in summer it is a cool oasis; in winter a snow-white wonderland.

The city has always been rated as being among the cleanest cities in the world. Strolling along the core, there is no sight of the disorderly mopeds of a Desert tour in Marrakech, but instead there are tranquil streets that are adorned with European-style mansions and flower beds.
Let our top tours guide you through the magic of this kingdom:

visit the Iconic Stone Lion

The French built Ifrane in 1920s, as a French hill station (garden city). It is the coldest temperature in Africa, having an all time low of -23.9 o C (5,463 ft) and the highest point (1,665 meters). It is a cool oasis to the travellers of Trips In Morocco in summer; a snow-white wonderland in winter.

The city has always been graded as one of the cleanest cities in the world. It is only after walking down the core that you will not see the chaotic mopeds of a Desert tour in Marrakech, but rather peaceful streets, which are lined with European mansions and flower beds.

Explore the Cedar Forests and Barbary Macaques

Just a 15-minute drive from the city center lies the Cèdre Gouraud Forest. This is where your Atlas Mountains Tour truly feels wild. The forest is home to the Gouraud Cedar, a legendary tree estimated to be over 800 years old.

The Macaques: You will undoubtedly encounter Barbary macaques here.
The Ethical Tip: While locals sell peanuts to feed them, I urge our guests to simply observe. These are wild animals, and keeping them wild is key to the ecosystem’s health.
The Sensation: There is nothing like the smell of the Middle Atlas after a light rain—the scent of damp cedarwood and wild thyme is something you’ll never find on standard Marrakech Day Trips.

Skiing at Michlifen or Hiking the Lakes

Depending on when you take your Luxury Trip To Morocco, your activities will shift dramatically:

Winter (December – March)

Michlifen Ski Resort is the best winter sports resort in Middle Atlas. It is not Courchevel, but there is something quite pleasant about skiing down a Moroccan slope, and then taking a bowl of hot harira soup at the lodge.

Summer (June – September)

This is the time of the Circuit des Lacs. The most renowned lake of the area is the Dayet Aoua. You may rent a pedal boat or horseback ride on the shore. It is a tranquil traveling that seems miles apart to a hectic.

Walk the Campus of Al Akhawayn University

Ifrane also boasts of an intellectual center and Al Akhawayn University info (AUI). It is founded by the Saudi Arabia kings Hassan II and Fahd and after a curriculum of American liberal arts. The building architecture around the campus is beautiful and resembled the style of the town in the alpine manner. Although the inside is not open, the external environment is replete with excellent student cafes such as Café Forestia, which has an excellent coffee and fast Wi-Fi connection.

Sourcing the “Liquid Gold” at Source Vitel

Approximately 3km outside town is Ain Vitel ( Source Vitel). These are a number of small waterfalls and springs surrounded by dense forests. The local population visits here to fill the bottles with pure mountain water.

When you are on one of our Tours of Morocco, we usually have a picnic here, as a special event of our own. Hiking through the local forest, sampling the dark, rich, and smoky honey of the forest with fresh goat cheese offered at Azrou market, is one of the culinary highlights of any itinerary in Desert Trips Morocco.

Logistics: How to Reach Ifrane Morocco

Ifrane is perfectly positioned as a gateway between the imperial cities and the Sahara.

Starting Point	Distance	Duration	Recommended Mode
Fes	65 km	1h 15m	Private Driver / Grand Taxi
Meknes	65 km	1h 20m	CTM Bus / Car
Marrakech	480 km	6h 30m	Part of a Grand Morocco Tour

Most travelers include Ifrane as a lunch stop on their Morocco Desert Tour from Fes to Merzouga. However, if you have the time, I highly recommend staying one night to truly appreciate the “Alpine” silence after the sun sets.

FAQs About Ifrane Morocco

Is Ifrane expensive compared to other Moroccan cities?

The yes Ifrane Morocco is regarded as a high-quality destination. Since it is popular among the Moroccan elite and the King has a palace at such locations, hotel rates in destinations such as the Michlifen Resort and Golf can be steep. Nevertheless, there are numerous low-end opportunities in local guesthouses and in the main market.

Can I do an Ifrane Day Trip on Atlas Mountains in Marrakech?

Although it is possible, it is a long drive (more than 6 hours in both directions). Instead, we tend to suggest the Atlas Mountains marrakech day trips to the High Atlas (Ourika or Imlil). Ifrane can be viewed as a component of a Morocco Tours trip that also includes Fes or the Sahara.

What should I pack for Ifrane?

Layers are essential. The temperature may go down substantially even in July. When you come in the winter you will need a thick coat, gloves and waterproof shoes–this is the real mountain style of it!

Conclusion: Why Your Search for Ifrane Ends Here

Ifrane Morocco is not only a kind of Swiss gimmick; it is the green heart of the Middle Atlas. Between the old cedars and the new halls of Al Akhawayn, it provides a special cultural and environmental window to a vast majority of travelers. There is no adventure you can have without making a visit here ,that will give a note of variety to your journey that is both the essence and the spirit of the Kingdom.

Ifrane is the refreshing breeze of air every tourist requires whether you are seeking a Desert Tour Marrakech extension or you want to immerse into the mountains.

Meet the Expert: Brahim El-Mansouri

Brahim El-Mansouri is a logistics architect in Morocco Desert Trips. Being a veteran of more than 15 years of the Middle Atlas, Brahim is a designer of Morocco Custom Tours, which combines adventure of the high mountains with the exploration of Saharan. He is a qualified mountain guide and a regular participant to local tourism boards.