Ifrane

Ifrane is a small Atlas mountain city with a distinctly European feel, unusual architecture with steep roofs designed for snow, and a population of roughly 80,000. The town is best known for its large stork population, cedar forests with wild Barbary macaques, and the American-style Al-Akhawayn University. Unless you're a student here, visiting the king, or using Ifrane as a base for Middle Atlas exploration, there's limited reason to linger.

Most buses arrive from Fez and Meknes, the two major neighboring cities, or pass through on routes from Marrakesh to Fez. The bus station has irregular departure times to many cities, so checking bus times the day before departure is recommended.

Most places are within walking distance, but petit taxis are readily available with a minimum fare of 5 dirham for short distances like marché to centre ville, and 10 dirham for longer trips. Grand taxi drivers can be more unscrupulous, so be aware of fair prices for any given trip.

The climate is mostly cold with a beautiful mild summer, and considerable rain in the first few months of the year. The area has been experiencing a prolonged drought, so as of 2024, the lake in the centre-ville and most waterfalls at Source Vitel have been bone dry for several years.

There is no budget accommodation in Ifrane. The best option for budget travelers is to stay in Azrou, just 15 minutes away by grand taxi for approximately 6 dirham. Apartments can be rented from 100-150 dirham per day, though finding one with clean sheets can be difficult. Midrange options include Grand Hotel and the luxurious Hotel Michliffen with two pools, starting from 2,500 dirham.

Ifrane offers various dining options: Restaurant Al-Akhawayn provides good food at decent prices with a varied menu; Chez Said serves sandwiches for 20 dirham; Chicken Restaurant offers mains for 25-40 dirham; and Platane in the marché is popular with university students. For nightlife, Grand Hotel has a dance club with expensive alcohol popular on Thursday through Saturday playing House/Techno, while Cafe le Chamonix is the cheapest place for alcohol.

Ifrane's main attraction is its natural beauty. Hiking in the area is highly encouraged, and you can rent a horse and guide for a few hours. Foret Cedre Gourant is a good starting point for trekking routes where you can photograph monkeys and old trees, or rent a guide for excursions. A huge number of Barbary macaques live in the woods around town, and they're sometimes seen near the marché on the southern edge.

The grand taxi station, connected to the bus station, has regular connections to Fes and Meknes, as well as smaller towns like Al Hajeb, Azrou, and Immouzer Kandar. These smaller towns have no mind-blowing attractions but are worth visiting to see real Morocco away from tourists. Taxi drivers appear honest and don't overcharge foreigners; many passengers are university students who speak English and are willing to help navigate.