Ifrane City Guide

Morocco

Ifrane City Guide

Fes-Meknes

Ifrane is a quiet city in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains known for its alpine look and cooler climate. It offers clean air, forests, and good outdoor activities. The city is peaceful and has modern spots, especially around Al Akhawayn University, making it good for travelers and remote workers seeking calm.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
7

Local food like Tagine and Couscous is common with some international options near the university. Vegetarian options exist, vegan are harder to find. Restaurants close early in the evening.

Local Dishes:
Tagine, Couscous, Harira Soup
International Cuisine:
French, Italian
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
3

Nightlife is limited, mainly hotel bars and a few cafes.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Many cafes serve traditional Moroccan and espresso coffee, casual atmosphere.

💰
Tipping
Required
10%

Tipping is common: 10-15% in restaurants if no service charge, round up taxi fare.

Top Attractions
Lion Stone
Sight
A carved stone statue in the city center.
Al Akhawayn University
Education
Campus known for its architecture and activities.
Parc La Prairie
Nature
City park with green space and running paths.
Michlifen Ski Resort
Outdoor
Nearby ski area open in winter for all levels.
Azrou Cedar Forest
Nature
Forest with wild Barbary Apes, 30 minutes away.
Dayet Aoua Lake
Nature
Nearby lake offering seasonal leisure water activities.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are available from Maroc Telecom, Orange, and Inwi stores. Coverage is good. Passport needed for registration. eSIMs may be available but are not guaranteed.

Available at:
Maroc Telecom
Orange
Inwi
Recommended Apps
Careem(Transport)
Google Maps(Navigation)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Inwi(Communication)
Maroc Telecom(Communication)
Orange(Communication)
TripAdvisor(Travel)
Booking.com(Travel)
Airbnb(Travel)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
9

One of the cleanest cities in Morocco with good street and waste management.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Limited 24/7 services. Few mini-marts open late, no 24h pharmacies or clinics.

Groceries
Marjane Market

Supermarkets offer some international products, while local markets provide fresh produce. Marjane Market is a main supermarket. Shops usually open 9 AM to 8 PM with lunch breaks.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Card payments work in major hotels and some big restaurants, but cash is needed for small shops, taxis, and markets.

ATMs

ATMs are common near the city center and banks. Use bank ATMs during business hours for safety. International withdrawal fees may apply.

Schools
Local only

Al Akhawayn University offers English instruction. Local Moroccan schools exist. No notable international schools for children in Ifrane.

Available Schools:
Al Akhawayn University

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Café La Paix
Popular spot with Wi-Fi and a relaxed vibe.
Café Restaurant Le Chamonix
Known for good coffee and working space.
Café Restaurant Le Grand Atlas
Comfortable for work and meals.
Café du Lion
Central café with decent internet.
Alternatives:
Al Akhawayn University Library
Quiet space but access limited to students and staff.
Hotel lobbies
Some larger hotels offer quiet spots with Wi-Fi.
Parc La Prairie
Outdoor spot for work when weather allows.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
2

Very small nomad community; mostly students but no specific meetups.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
9

Surrounded by cedar forests and city parks with shaded trails.

Running
Excellent
8

Good running routes in parks and around university with clean air and low traffic.

Gyms
Available

University has sports facilities; local gyms exist but not well known. Outdoor activities like running and hiking are popular.

Available Gyms:
Al Akhawayn University Sports Center
Tennis
Limited
5

Tennis courts available mainly at the university.

Padel
Poor
0

No known padel courts.

Yoga
Poor
1

No dedicated yoga studios; hotels may offer basic wellness options.

Martial Arts
Poor
2

Little info on martial arts classes; some basic options at local gyms.

Skiing
Good
7

Michlifen Ski Resort nearby offers winter skiing with rentals available.

Water Sports
Poor
3

Limited to simple lake activities like paddle boating at Dayet Aoua.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing opportunities due to location.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving; no nearby sea or lakes for it.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
6

The city has clinics and a regional hospital. English-speaking staff are limited mainly to private clinics and university health center. Pharmacies are common and follow European norms.

Hospitals:
Ifrane Regional Hospital
Pharmacies:
Pharmacy Centrale
Pharmacie de la Gare
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is generally safe in the city but bottled water is recommended for sensitive drinkers.

Common Scams
Inflated tourist prices, Unlicensed guides, Persistent taxi touts

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Parks and green spaces are good for families. Outdoor sights like cedar forests and Lion Stone statue are popular.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
2

Conservative area with low public acceptance; no specific safe spaces.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Pet supplies and services are basic. Green spaces available for dog walks.

Communities
Al Akhawayn University Student Groups (Education)
Expats in Morocco (Social)
Local Ifrane Community Groups (Social)

Quick Facts

Population
14,659
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable with occasional brief outages, typical for a university town.

Mountains
Available

Located in the Middle Atlas Mountains with easy access to forest and hiking trails.

Languages
Arabic(100%)
Berber (Tamazight)(80%)
French(70%)
English(40%)
Emergency
19
Police
15
Ambulance/Fire
177
Royal Gendarmerie

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
5

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Snow and cold weather
December, January, February, March
Winter brings snow and cold, good for skiing.
Mild summer
July, August
Summer is mild and cooler than most of Morocco.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience at this place

💬 Feedback & Bugs