Sefrou
An old walled town at the foot of the Middle Atlas, with a medina, a former Jewish quarter, a waterfall and cherry orchards
Sefrou lies about 28 km south of Fes, at roughly 850 metres, where the Saïs plain meets the first slopes of the Middle Atlas. The Aggaï river runs through town and waters well-known orchards, above all cherry trees, which the town celebrates every June. Once a caravan stop on the routes south, Sefrou was long home to a large Jewish community, which earned it the nickname "little Jerusalem". Its walled medina, former Jewish quarter, waterfall and the nearby cave village of Bhalil make it an easy, quiet outing from Fes.
- Half a day or a day from Fes; one night during the cherry festival
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
- from 250 MAD
- Culture, Nature, Budget, Family
- Travellers based in Fes looking for a quiet medina, a short nature walk and Morocco's Jewish history
Why go
- A small walled medina, far from the bustle of Fes
- The story of a town where Jews and Muslims long lived side by side
- The cherry festival, inscribed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in 2012
Heritage and memory
The cherry festival
Founded in 1919, this three-day festival takes place every June, at harvest time. Expect parades of troupes and floats, the crowning of the cherry queen, concerts and tbourida horse displays. Dates change from year to year: check them before you go.
The former Jewish quarter
The Jewish quarter lies in the heart of the medina, across a bridge over the Aggaï river. Most Jewish families left after 1948; lanes and houses still recall that history, though part of the quarter is in poor repair.
Kef el-Moumen cave
A cave at the foot of Jbel Binna, at the northern entrance to town, revered by both Jews and Muslims, who link it to the tradition of the prophet Daniel.
Walks around town
Sefrou waterfall
A modest waterfall about 1.5 km west of the centre. Walk there following the signs, through the El Kalaa quarter and then the green river valley; a café overlooks the falls.
Waterfall and shrine loop
An easy loop of about 8 km (2.5 to 3 hours) links the waterfall, the shrine of Sidi Ali Bousserghine and its viewpoint over town, El Kalaa, the medina and the former Jewish quarter.
Things to see
The medina and its gates
A medina ringed by high walls, with gates such as Bab Lemkam and Bab Merbaa, mosques, zaouias and old caravan inns.
El Kalaa quarter
An old fortified quarter of narrow lanes above the river, on the way to the waterfall.
Lalla Rekia spring
An old fountain once famed for its waters, near the shrine of Sidi Ali Bousserghine.
Things to do
Wander the medina souks
Fruit, vegetables and everyday goods: a lively market aimed at residents rather than visitors.
Taste cherries in season
In June, stalls fill with cherries from the surrounding orchards; it is also festival time.
Food
Simple Moroccan food in the medina's small cafés and eateries: tagines, kebabs, harira. In season, buy cherries at the market.
Where to stay
Stay in Fes
Accommodation in Sefrou is limited: most visitors stay in Fes, half an hour away by road.
Guesthouses in town
A few guesthouses and simple hotels; book early for the cherry festival.
Book a place to stay in Sefrou
Riads, hotels and guesthouses: compare current prices and availability on Booking.com.
Day trips
Bhalil
An Amazigh village about 5 km away, known for its homes carved into the rock and for making djellaba buttons. Visit the cave houses with a local guide.
The imperial medina of Fes el-Bali, about thirty kilometres away.
The mountain resort with its steep roofs and forests, about 1 hour by road.
Getting around
By car: about 28 to 30 km and 30 to 35 minutes from Fes, about 86 km and 1 hour from Meknes, 58 km and 1 hour from Ifrane, about 220 km and 2 h 20 from Rabat. Sefrou has no railway station: take the ONCF train to Fes, then a grand taxi or a bus from the Fes coach station. The nearest airport is Fes-Saïss. In town everything is walkable, including the waterfall.
Book your transport
- Train
- ONCF VoyagesONCF
- Coach
- CTMSupratours
- Coach station
- Mosafir· coach timetables
- Flight
- Royal Air MarocONDA
- Taxi / car
- inDrive
Budget
- 250 MAD
- 600 MAD
- 1,300 MAD
When to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr ✓
- May ✓
- Jun ✓
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep ✓
- Oct ✓
- Nov ✓
- Dec
Spring and autumn for walking in mild weather; June for the cherries and the festival. Summer can be very hot and winter nights are cold.
Combine with
Fes
The world's largest car-free medina, and Morocco's craft capital
Ifrane
The "little Switzerland" of the Middle Atlas, with cedars, lakes and winter snow
Azrou
A mountain town beneath its rock, gateway to the cedar forest and its Barbary macaques
Meknes
Moulay Ismail's imperial city, next to Volubilis
Plans that stop here
No plan goes through this destination yet.
Tips
- For the former Jewish quarter and Jewish heritage sites, a local guide helps you find what remains and the site keepers.
- Combine Sefrou and Bhalil in the same half day from Fes: they are only a few kilometres apart.
- During the cherry festival the town is very busy: leave Fes early or book accommodation in advance.
- Wear good shoes for the waterfall loop: the path climbs up to the shrine.
Where next?