The city of Ifrane in Morocco is 5,460 feet above the Mediterranean, a city unlike any other city in Morocco. Built on a small hill, this city feels like you are in the Swiss Alps, with its elegant red roofs, colorful flower gardens, natural gardens, lakes and snow covering the trees during the winter. This combination of wonderful natural beauty gave the city that was designed in the European style the title of "Switzerland of Morocco".
In the spring season, Ifrane is adorned with cedar forests, rangelands that thrive in life and in winter there is a sharp contrast to the climate due to the hot and dry climate that surrounds the region. Due to its easy access, Ifrane is considered the favorite of Amazigh rich people, from Fez, Meknes, and Marrakech, who flock here to experience a European winter.
Ifrane was built by the French in the 1930s, during the years of occupation, and what attracted the French to this city and still attracts the rich Moroccans it is the cold climate during the summer, while the cities of Fez and Meknès pour sweat from the heat, the oven is mild and refreshing.
In winter, temperatures in Ifran fall below zero and snow covers the foot of the surrounding mountains. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Africa was recorded in Ifrane and was below 24 ° C.
Due to its location on the top of the mountain, the French occupation used the city of Ifrane as the hill station where colonial families spend the summer months. The concept of "hill stations" was first developed by the British in India. The best known example is Shimla in the Himalayas Was the summer capital, and was intended for European immigrant families, and was often designed in European style to remind foreign residents of their distant lands, especially as trees and flowering plants were imported from their home country.
After independence from France, the Moroccans moved to Ifrane and worked to expand it, building a mosque, a market and other facilities for rest and recreation. In 1995, a US government university opened the prestigious Al Akhawayn University campus. Old chalets were demolished and replaced by closed residential complexes. Most of the complexes are reserved by companies so that their employees can spend their annual holidays with their families.
Ifrane has become a local tourist destination that attracts hundreds of wealthy families in summer and winter, to enjoy the beautiful scenery, the wonderful atmosphere of the city as well as the snow skiing.
Last year, Ifrane was named the second cleanest city in the world, according to MBC Times.
