Plizio Visual Lab

Ifrane

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

City

—°3

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Practical info — Ifrane

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🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

Pack warm layers even in summer, as the mountain evenings are chilly; winters often bring heavy snow.
The famous stone lion statue in the center gets very busy with tourists taking photos.
Do not feed the wild Barbary macaques in the surrounding cedar forests.
The town's alpine architecture makes it feel remarkably different from the rest of Morocco.

🍽 Food

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Trout

Fresh from local mountain streams, a staple in town restaurants.

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Tagine with prunes

A hearty, warming dish first-rate for the cool climate.

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Hot chocolate

Enjoyed in the alpine-style cafes around the town center.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

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Cedar wood carvings

Boxes and souvenirs crafted from local cedar.

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Mountain honey

Natural, locally sourced honey from the region's flora.

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Vittel Spring

A pleasant walk just out of the main town.

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Lake Dayet Aoua

The forested paths around the lake (check if it currently has water).

Ifrane, often referred to as Morocco's 'Little Switzerland', is situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,665 meters. Developed in 1928 during the French Protectorate as a 'hill station', the city features unusual alpine-style architecture with slanted tile roofs and European-style gardens. The climate is significantly cooler than the rest of the country, experiencing snowy winters that attract winter sports enthusiasts to the nearby Michlifen ski resort. Ifrane is also home to the prestigious Al Akhawayn University, an international English-language institution. The surrounding Ifrane National Park contains the largest stands of Atlas cedar trees and serves as a vital habitat for the endangered Barbary macaque. The city is celebrated for its cleanliness and high quality of life, making it a preferred retreat for the Moroccan elite and nature lovers alike.

Location: Morocco
Top sights: Main Auditorium · Parque de jeux enfants · Lion Statue
Nearby: Azrou (16 km)
Population: ~73.782 (2018)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Jul, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	5	6	9	12	16	21	25	26	21	16	9	7
Rain mm	90	82	92	75	47	13	6	17	33	71	107	87

Geography

Population

73,782 (2018)

Coordinates

33.53330, -5.10000

Facts

The lowest temperature ever recorded in Africa, -23.9 °C, was measured in Ifrane on February 11, 1935.
The city is home to Al Akhawayn University, established following the American educational model.
The city's landmark is a stone lion sculpture carved during World War II.
Ifrane is situated at an elevation of approximately 1,665 meters above sea level.
The nearby Ifrane National Park protects endangered Barbary macaques.
The city was designed in 1928 by the French urban architect Henri Prost.