ACTIVITIES
Lots to do...Moulay Idriss is a very ‘GO LOCAL‘ experience and a place to observe, or take part in, local life as it has been for the moroccan traditions. You can RELAX on the terrace with views of Volubilis, the Zerhoune mountain range, fertile valley and the town of Moulay Idriss. or GET ACTIVE by hiking on many of the mountain paths, swim in the roman baths or enjoy our forest.
IMMERSE into local traditions with a hammam in the oldest traditional hammam in town, followed by a trip the the coiffure or barber, feel like a local as you bake afternoon tea in the community ovens. OBSERVE traditional life by sitting in the main square, outside the mausoleum and indiscretely peak into life as it has been for centuries.
See the donkeys go by with a variety of goods, locals making pilgrimage to the Mausoleum, ladies shopping for the days delights, children playing in the main square. LEARN about Islam, the life of women in Morocco, Roman times by spending time with our staff or guides and you are welcome to ask all the questions you wish too.
Volubilis
Just 5km from Dar Zerhoune, and visible from our terrace, you can stroll or take a donkey to explore the Roman Empire’s southernmost post in a landscape of ancient rural traditions. The mosaics are incredible and the ruins expansive from 300BC.
Local Life Tours
At Dar Zerhoune we offer you a chance to experience local life, from woman of Moulay Idriss. We offer Bake your own afternoon tea cooking classes, A Woman’s life tour, where you explore the markets, artisans and behind closed doors with a local mother and learn of local life for the women of Moulay Idriss.
We offer Bake your own Afternoon tea baking classes and prepare your bread and cookies in the community oven, alongside the locals.
We offer a hidden villages tour, a driven tour that you experience country life, enjoy lunch with a local family in the farming community of Beni Mraz.
Cooking Classes
At Dar Zerhoune learn to make breakfast breads, traditional cookies and breads – baked in the community oven (faraan).
Or learn to cook a tagine and traditional moroccan dishes to delight your familiy back home.
Donkey Rides
We love our donkeys in Moulay Idriss and we offer an opportunity for a donkey ride to Volubilis! It is fun, takes 1 hour and you are lead by the donkey owner. You experience local life, beautiful views of Moulay Idriss, Volubilis and olive groves at a lovely pace.
We recommend that you take the donkeys one way, as it is not comfortable for the return trip.
Hiking
There are alot of options for hiking and exploring from Dar Zerhoune and Moulay Idriss. We are surrounded by the Zerhoune mountain range and there is a lovely 1 hour loop around town, along the base of the mountains, a 1 hour loop along roads via the Roman Baths and a longer hike up to the Bab Rmila forest and exploring forest paths.
If you like being outdoors, then Moulay Idriss and our surrounding mountains are for you. Please send a request if you would like a guide.
Religious Festivals
Moulay Idriss is a Holy City and there are alot of festivals and pilgrimages in Moulay Idriss that non-Muslims are welcome to witness, take part in or just indiscretely peek into traditional, local, moroccan life. We have a donkey festival, the moussems (pilgrimages) in August, a poetry weekend, a music festival at Volubilis and Meknes, Ramadan experience and Eid celebrations.
We offer special packages to experience religious festivals, such as Eid, in Moulay Idriss to learn about the culture and to experience too. Please contact Rose directly on info@darzerhoune.com.
Dar Zerhoune is OPEN as a RESTAURANT and guesthouse during Ramadan (Note: the cafes and restaurants in town are closed during the day).
Please read the following link about my experience of Ramadan in Morocco.
http://riadzany.blogspot.com/2011/08/breaking-ramadan-fast-in-fez.html
Around Moulay
My favourite pass time in Moulay Idriss is to sit with the locals in the main square, drink mint tea or coffee and watch local life like a story unfolding in front of me.
The locals are friendly, the photography opportunities are amazing and the countryside is ready to explore.
Kids
Travelling with kids? Join us on a kids workshop where we teach them to bake bread and cookies, ride a donkey, draw pictures and be kids in Morocco, while you can have a break.
