Famed for its alpine architecture, Ifrane is a picturesque town in the Atlas Mountains that has been referred to as the “Switzerland of Morocco”. It was established in the 1920s by the French colonial administration as a cool-climate resort, providing relief from the searing heat of the coastal plains and the interior desert.
Things to do in Ifrane
Stroll through the centre of Ifrane to admire its Swiss-inspired architecture, with the gabled roofs reminiscent of a European alpine village. Dominating the townscape is the soaring minaret of the Niger Mosque, which is particularly majestic when covered in snow. Keep an eye out for the lion statue carved by a German soldier during World War II in honour of the Atlas lion.
Encompassing 500 square kilometres west of town is Ifrane National Park, which protects one of the few remaining habitats of the Barbary macaque. In addition to spotting these native primates, you may be lucky enough to see African wolves, Barbary stags and caracals. Atlas cedars, Algerian oaks and Spanish junipers cover much of the park while a variety of birds inhabit the wetlands around Afennourir Lake.
If you’re visiting in the winter months, you can hit the downhill trails of the Michlifen Ski Resort, which was established in the 1950s to the north of Ifrane. It’s a great place for skiing, snowboarding and sledding, with magnificent views across the Atlas Mountains from its chairlifts. In the summer months, head to the scenic shores of Lake Dait Aoua to enjoy paddle boating or horseback riding.
Getting around Ifrane
Ifrane is around an hour’s drive from Fes and Fes–Saïss International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Morocco and Europe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Ifrane and exploring the surrounding area.