Sefrou is a small ancient walled town at the foothills of the Middle Atlas, 28 kilometres south of Fes. Most travellers pass it by — which is exactly what makes it worth stopping for. The medina is well-preserved and almost entirely free of tourist shops, giving you a genuine feel for a working Moroccan town.
The town has an unusually deep history. Long before the Arab conquest, Sefrou was home to a Berber-Jewish community. By the early 20th century, Jews made up roughly a third of the population. The Mellah — the Jewish quarter — survives with its distinctive tall houses and covered alleyways, though the community itself has largely gone. The medina around it is one of the least-touristed in Morocco, which is a genuine virtue.
Summers here are noticeably cooler than Fes, and the surrounding countryside is pleasant for walking. The Cascade de Sefrou sits a short walk above the town, and the Kef el-Moumen caves in the hills to the south hold rock-cut tombs and good views. In June, Sefrou holds a cherry festival that draws Moroccans from across the region — if you happen to be passing through, it's worth timing your visit around it.