fes morocco, The best tourist places in Fez,

If there is one city in Morocco — and perhaps in all of the Arab world — that stops you in your tracks and makes you feel the full weight of history pressing against your skin, it is Fes. Not Marrakech with its polished tourist infrastructure. Not Casablanca with its Art Deco boulevards. Fes is something else entirely: raw, layered, overwhelming, and utterly unforgettable.

Fes, Morocco (also spelled Fez) is the oldest of Morocco's four imperial cities, founded in the late 8th century by Idris I, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad who fled to North Africa and established the Idrisid dynasty. Over twelve centuries later, the city's ancient medina — Fes el-Bali — is the world's largest living car-free urban area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its 9,000-plus streets, still navigated by donkeys and mules, are the same streets walked by scholars, sultans, and craftsmen for more than a millennium.

This guide covers everything you need to know before visiting Fes, Morocco: the best things to see and do, where to eat, where to stay, how to get around, when to go, and the practical tips that will make your trip seamless and deeply rewarding.

Why Visit Fes? What Makes It Different

Every traveler who visits Morocco eventually faces a choice: Marrakech or Fes? The answer, ideally, is both — but if you can only choose one city where you want to feel the full depth of Moroccan civilization, most experienced travelers will tell you: choose Fes.

Here is why Fes, Morocco is extraordinary:

It is genuinely unpolished. Unlike Marrakech, which has been heavily optimized for tourist consumption, Fes's medina is primarily a living, working city. The streets are not staged. The craftsmen are not performing. The bread ovens, the tanneries, the madrasas, the neighborhood hammams — they all exist for the residents of Fes, not for visitors. That authenticity is increasingly rare in the world.

It is the world's oldest continuously inhabited medieval city. Fes el-Bali has been continuously occupied since the 9th century. The university at its heart — Al-Qarawiyyin — has been operating without interruption since 859 CE, predating Oxford by more than three centuries.

The scale is staggering. The medina of Fes contains over 9,000 streets. Some are so narrow you must turn sideways to pass. You can walk for hours without crossing the same alley twice. Getting lost is not a problem — it is the point.

It is Morocco's culinary capital. Every great Moroccan household, it is said, always employed a Fassi (person from Fes) as head cook. The city's food culture is sophisticated, layered, and delicious in ways that will permanently raise your expectations of Moroccan cuisine.

It rewards the traveler who slows down. Fes is not a city to rush through. It reveals itself gradually — down a side alley where a master craftsman is carving plaster, at a fountain that has been flowing since the 12th century, in a café where an old man plays a guembri and the afternoon light falls through a latticed screen.

Top Things to Do in Fes, Morocco

Before we go into detail, here is an overview of the essential experiences in Fes:

• Explore Fes el-Bali medina — the world's largest car-free medieval city
• Visit the Chouara Tannery — the oldest tannery in the world still in operation
• Discover Al-Qarawiyyin University — the oldest university on Earth
• Marvel at the Bou Inania Madrasa — the pinnacle of Marinid Islamic architecture
• Discover the Al-Attarine Madrasa — hidden near the spice market
• Walk through the Mellah — Fes's ancient Jewish Quarter
• Climb to the Merenid Tombs for the city's most spectacular panoramic view
• Take a Moroccan cooking class and learn to make tagine and pastilla
• Shop for blue ceramics, leather goods, and handwoven carpets in the souks
• Experience a traditional hammam (Moroccan bathhouse)
• Attend the Festival of World Sacred Music in June
• Day trip to Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis
• Day trip to Chefchaouen, the Blue City of the Rif Mountains

Exploring the Fes Medina (Fes el-Bali)

The medina of Fes — Fes el-Bali, meaning "Old Fes" — is the single most extraordinary urban environment in North Africa and one of the most remarkable in the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, it is the world's largest car-free urban area, home to over 150,000 people living within its ancient walls.

The Scale and the Labyrinth

The medina contains more than 9,000 alleys and streets, ranging from wide commercial thoroughfares to passages so narrow that two people cannot pass each other without turning sideways. The only vehicles that navigate the older streets are donkeys and mules — you will hear the cry of "balak!" (watch out!) ahead of you as one approaches, and you will learn quickly to flatten yourself against the nearest wall.

The main arteries of the medina are Talaa Kebira (the Upper Road) and Talaa Seghira (the Lower Road), both running downhill from the famous Blue Gate — Bab Boujloud — toward the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque area at the heart of the medina. Most of the major landmarks lie off these two main streets, and navigating between them is both the challenge and the joy of Fes.

How to Navigate the Medina

On your first day, hire a licensed guide from your riad or from the tourist office near Place de Florence in the Ville Nouvelle. The investment is substantial — expect to pay 250–400 MAD for a half day — but it pays back many times over. A good guide opens doors (literal and figurative), explains the history and craftsmanship behind each landmark, prevents you from being hustled by touts, and ensures you do not miss the highlights.

For navigation, download Maps.me or Organic Maps offline before you arrive. Google Maps covers the medina very poorly; these apps cover it much better. Even with a map, expect to get lost. Embrace it.

Key Neighborhoods of Fes el-Bali

The Andalusian Quarter lies on the eastern bank of the Oued Fes river and was historically settled by Muslim refugees from Andalusia in Spain following the 9th-century upheavals. It is less visited by tourists and retains a particularly local atmosphere.

The Qarawiyyin Quarter on the western bank is the historical and religious heart of the city — home to the mosque-university, the Chouara Tannery, the major madrasas, and the greatest concentration of artisan workshops.

Seffarine Square (Place des Chaudronniers) is one of the medina's most atmospheric spaces — a small square perpetually filled with the ringing of hammers on metal, as craftsmen beat copper and brass into household goods using centuries-old techniques.

The Kissaria — the covered market at the center of the medina — is where fabric, clothing, and fine textiles have been sold since the medieval era.

The Chouara Tannery: Fes's Most Iconic Sight

Of all the things to do in Fes, Morocco, visiting the Chouara Tannery is the experience that stays with visitors longest. It is one of the oldest tanneries on Earth — operating on the same site since the 11th century — and one of the only places in the world where you can watch leather being produced exactly as it was in the Middle Ages.

How the Tannery Works

The tanning process at Chouara is entirely traditional and involves no synthetic chemicals. Hides arrive from across Morocco and are first soaked for three days in a mixture of water, salt, quicklime, and pigeon dung — the ammonia from the pigeon waste softens the leather and strips it of fat. The hides are then scraped, rinsed, and transferred to the dyeing vats, where they are worked by hand in natural plant-based dyes:

• Orange from henna
• Yellow from pomegranate
• Red from poppy flowers
• Blue from indigo
• Brown from cedarwood

The process takes two to three days in total. Workers — who use their feet to tread the hides in the vats — endure conditions that are physically demanding and odoriferous. The mint sprig that leather shop owners hand to visitors at the tannery viewing terraces is not merely a tourist affectation.

How to Visit the Chouara Tannery

The tannery itself is not open to the public, but it can be viewed from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops, all of which overlook the vats. You are under no obligation to buy anything, though the quality of Fassi leather goods is genuinely exceptional.

Best times to visit: Mid-morning (9:00–11:00 AM) when the colors are brightest and the tannery is most active. Avoid visiting in summer afternoons when the smell intensifies significantly.

Location: Near Bab Guissa in the northeastern part of the medina.

Al-Qarawiyyin: The World's Oldest University

Founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri — a woman from a wealthy family of Fes — the University of Al-Qarawiyyin (also spelled Al-Karouiyine or Al-Quaraouiyine) is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating university in the world.

For over twelve centuries, the institution has attracted scholars from across the Islamic world and beyond, producing intellectuals who shaped mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, and theology. The geographer al-Idrisi, the historian Ibn Khaldun, and Pope Sylvester II — the first French pope, who introduced Arabic numerals to Europe — are all said to have studied here.

Visiting Al-Qarawiyyin

Non-Muslim visitors cannot enter the mosque or the university itself, which remains an active place of worship and learning. However, several doorways in the surrounding alleys offer views into the extraordinary interior — the carved plasterwork, the ancient green-tiled courtyard fountains, the carved cedar screens. One of the best views is from a narrow alley on the southern side, directly opposite the mosque's main wooden doors.

The mosque can accommodate 22,000 worshippers at one time, making it one of the largest mosques in Africa.

Tip: A library attached to Al-Qarawiyyin, containing some of the world's most precious Islamic manuscripts, has recently been restored. Check current opening policies before visiting.

Fes Madrasas: Islamic Architecture at Its Finest

The madrasas (Quranic schools) of Fes are among the most breathtaking examples of Islamic architecture anywhere in the world. They were built primarily by the Marinid dynasty between the 13th and 15th centuries as residences and educational institutions for students attending Al-Qarawiyyin. Every surface is a lesson in the infinite creativity of Islamic geometric art.

Bou Inania Madrasa

The Bou Inania Madrasa, built between 1350 and 1357 by the Marinid Sultan Bou Inan, is one of the only religious buildings in Fes open to non-Muslim visitors — and it is one of the most beautiful interior spaces in Morocco.

The architecture follows a strict vertical hierarchy: at ground level, extraordinary zellige tilework in deep geometric patterns; above that, carved plasterwork arabesques of almost impossible intricacy; higher still, carved cedarwood screens and latticed windows; and at the top, the open sky above the courtyard.

The central courtyard contains a marble fountain fed by a small channel of running water (the largest water clock in the Islamic world was once attached to the facade opposite). In the afternoons, light falls across the tilework and creates patterns within patterns.

Opening hours: Daily 9:00–17:00 | Entrance fee: 70 MAD

Al-Attarine Madrasa

The Al-Attarine Madrasa (the Madrasa of the Spice Sellers, named for the spice market beside it) was built in 1325 by the Marinid Sultan Abu Said and is considered by many to be the most refined example of Marinid architecture in existence. It is smaller than Bou Inania but arguably more perfect — every inch of its interior is covered in carved plaster, painted cedarwood, and zellige that achieves a level of precision and elegance that still defeats explanation.

It sits directly adjacent to the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque and was built specifically to serve the university.

Opening hours: Daily 9:00–17:00 | Entrance fee: 20 MAD

Cherratine Madrasa

Built in 1670 by the Alawite Sultan Moulay Rachid, the Cherratine Madrasa is the largest madrasa in Fes and one of the last great examples of traditional Moroccan religious architecture. Less visited than Bou Inania, it offers a more peaceful experience and an interesting contrast in style — more austere, more massive, reflecting the later Alawite period rather than the delicate Marinid aesthetic.

Fes el-Jdid: The Royal Quarter and the Mellah

Immediately adjacent to Fes el-Bali lies Fes el-Jdid ("New Fes") — which, confusingly, is over 700 years old, having been built by the Marinid dynasty in 1276 as their new administrative capital. It contains the vast Royal Palace of Fes, the historic Mellah (Jewish Quarter), and a distinct architectural identity of its own.

The Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen)

The Royal Palace of Fes is not open to the public — it remains an active royal residence — but its famous golden gates are one of the most photographed sights in Morocco. The massive brass-plated doors, flanked by intricately tiled courtyard walls and a ceremonial esplanade, are extraordinary to see even from outside.

Location: Place des Alaouites, Fes el-Jdid

The Mellah: Fes's Jewish Quarter

The Mellah of Fes, established in 1438, was the first formally designated Jewish quarter in Morocco and one of the oldest in the Arab world. At its peak, Fes had one of North Africa's most vibrant Jewish communities — merchants, scholars, craftsmen, and musicians who made an enormous contribution to Moroccan culture. Most emigrated to Israel, France, and Canada in the mid-20th century, but traces of the community remain.

What to see in the Mellah:

• Ibn Danan Synagogue — beautifully restored 17th-century synagogue, one of the finest in Morocco; open to visitors (entrance fee: 20 MAD)
• Jewish Cemetery — one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Morocco, spread across a hillside at the edge of the Mellah
• The Mellah Market — a lively local market less dominated by tourist goods than the medina's souks, excellent for fresh produce, spices, and local household items

Jnan Sbil Gardens

The Jnan Sbil Gardens (or Bou Jeloud Gardens) at the edge of Fes el-Jdid are the city's most beautiful public park — a 19th-century royal garden of mature trees, water channels, fountains, and quiet walkways. They provide a welcome respite from the intensity of the medina and are a favorite spot for local families in the late afternoon.

The Merenid Tombs and the View Over Fes

One of the most rewarding things to do in Fes, Morocco — and one of the least expensive — is climbing to the Merenid Tombs at sunset. The ruins of these 14th-century royal tombs sit on a hill above the northern edge of the medina and offer the finest panoramic view of Fes available anywhere.

From this vantage point, the scale of the medina becomes clear: a dense sea of flat-roofed houses, white mosque domes, and minarets extending across the valley floor in every direction, hemmed in by ancient walls and the green hills of the surrounding landscape. At dusk, the minarets are lit and the call to prayer echoes from dozens of mosques simultaneously, creating an extraordinary sound that rolls across the city like a wave.

The ruins themselves are significant — built by the Marinid sultans in the 14th century to honor their dynasty — though most of the decorative plasterwork has long since eroded. A small café at the viewpoint serves mint tea and simple snacks.

Getting there: Walk north through the medina toward Bab Guissa and continue uphill, or take a petit taxi to the Hotel Merenides and walk the remaining 10 minutes.

Best time to visit: One hour before sunset.

Moroccan Cooking Classes in Fes

Taking a Moroccan cooking class in Fes is one of the most universally rewarding things to do in the city, and one of the experiences that travelers consistently rate among the highlights of their entire Morocco trip.

Fes is considered the culinary capital of Morocco — the sophistication of Fassi cuisine is legendary across North Africa. A cooking class typically includes a guided visit to the food market to buy fresh ingredients, followed by hands-on instruction in a family kitchen or dedicated cooking school.

What you will typically learn:

• How to prepare a classic Moroccan tagine (chicken with preserved lemons and olives, or lamb with prunes and almonds)
• How to make pastilla — the sweet-savory pigeon pie that is Fes's signature dish
• Moroccan salad techniques — zaalouk, taktouka, and briouats
• How to blend and use traditional spice combinations including ras el hanout
• The proper method for making Moroccan mint tea

Recommended schools:

• Café Clock Cooking School — the most established cooking school in Fes, with excellent food-market tours included
• Riad Laaroussa — intimate cooking classes in a beautiful riad setting
• Das Authentique Fes — small-group classes focusing on traditional Fassi family recipes

Typical cost: 400–700 MAD per person, including the market tour and a shared meal

Shopping in the Souks of Fes

The souks of Fes are organized by craft and trade, a system unchanged since the medieval era. Each neighborhood specializes in a different product — leather, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, woodwork, or spices — and the quality of craftsmanship available in Fes is the highest in Morocco.

What to Buy in Fes

Blue ceramics — Fes is famous throughout the world for its distinctive blue-and-white pottery, produced in kilns outside the medina. Plates, tagine pots, decorative tiles, and hand-painted bowls make excellent and durable souvenirs. Visit the Ain Nokbi pottery district to watch pots being thrown and painted before buying.

Leather goods — The Chouara Tannery supplies leather workers across Morocco, but the finest leather goods are sold in Fes itself. Look for hand-stitched bags, babouche slippers, belts, and wallets in the leather souk near the tannery.

Carpets and rugs — Fes produces both formal geometric carpets (often with silk highlights) and more rustic Berber rugs. The Anou Women's Artisan Cooperative near Café Clock sells authentic fair-trade carpets at transparent, fixed prices — excellent for those who do not want to bargain.

Cedar woodwork — The woodworkers of Fes produce extraordinarily detailed carved cedarwood panels, screens, boxes, and furniture using techniques unchanged for centuries. The souk of the woodworkers is one of the most aromatic places in the medina.

Embroidery and textiles — Fassi embroidery (terz) is considered the finest in Morocco, characterized by geometric designs worked in a single color on white linen. It is used traditionally for tablecloths, cushion covers, and curtains.

Spices — The spice market near Al-Attarine Madrasa is one of the great aromatic experiences of Morocco. Buy ras el hanout, cumin, saffron (Morocco is a major producer), dried rose petals, argan oil, and preserved lemons to take home.

Bargaining in the Fes Souks

Bargaining is expected in the souks and is part of the cultural experience. Start at roughly half the opening price, and expect to settle somewhere between 60–75% of the initial asking price. Be friendly, take your time, and do not feel pressured. Walking away politely almost always results in a better offer.

Fes Cuisine: What to Eat and Where

Fes is the undisputed food capital of Morocco. The city's culinary tradition is deeply sophisticated, shaped over centuries by Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and Jewish influences. Eating well in Fes is not difficult — even the street food is exceptional.

Essential Dishes to Try in Fes

Pastilla (B'stilla) — Fes's signature dish and one of the great culinary achievements of Moroccan cuisine. A large, round pie of tissue-thin warqa pastry enclosing a filling of slow-cooked pigeon (or chicken), fried almonds, eggs, saffron, ginger, and cinnamon, dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon on top. The combination of savory and sweet, crispy and yielding, is extraordinary.

Rfissa — A Fassi celebration dish of msemen (layered flatbread) topped with chicken slow-cooked with lentils, fenugreek, and ras el hanout, finished with argan oil. It is the dish served after childbirth and at major celebrations, and it is deeply warming and complex.

Harira — The classic Moroccan soup of tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, lamb, fresh herbs, and lemon is eaten year-round in Fes, but the Fassi version is particularly well-seasoned and substantial.

Bessara — A thick, warming soup of dried broad beans pureed with olive oil, cumin, and paprika, served with warm bread. A popular breakfast in Fes and one of the best cheap eats in the medina.

Msemen and beghrir — Moroccan breakfast breads that deserve recognition in their own right: msemen are flaky, layered, and slightly chewy; beghrir are honeycomb-patterned crepes eaten with butter and honey. Both are made fresh in stalls throughout the medina every morning.

Camel burger — A more recent Fassi specialty, available at Café Clock: a burger of ground camel meat, spiced with traditional Moroccan flavors. More delicious than the description suggests.

Where to Eat in Fes, Morocco

Café Clock — The most famous restaurant in Fes for good reason: excellent Moroccan food, a beautiful space, a lively atmosphere, and a menu that combines traditional dishes with creative innovation. Their camel burger is legendary. Located in the Talaa Kebira area of the medina.

Riad Laaroussa Bistro — Set within one of Fes's most elegant riads, the Bistro serves refined Moroccan cooking in a serene courtyard. The menu changes seasonally; the atmosphere is refined and the service exceptional. Reservations essential.

Dar Roumana — Mediterranean cuisine with seasonal local ingredients assembled by a French chef; one of the best restaurants in Fes for those wanting a more European dining experience in a beautiful setting.

The food markets — Some of the best eating in Fes is found at the stalls in the medina's food markets. Look for fresh-squeezed fruit juices, grilled merguez sandwiches, fried sardines, and steaming bowls of harira.

Best Riads in Fes, Morocco

Staying in a riad — a traditional Moroccan courtyard house — in the heart of the Fes medina is one of the defining experiences of any visit to Morocco. Riads in Fes tend to be more architecturally ornate and less tourist-oriented than those in Marrakech, and waking up in one — to the sound of the call to prayer and the smell of mint tea — is something you will remember long after the trip.

Riad Laaroussa — One of the finest riads in Morocco, with extraordinarily beautiful interiors, attentive personal service, and one of the best restaurants in Fes. A luxury experience at mid-range prices. A stay here includes a free tour of the medina with the owner.

Riad Salam Fes — A beautifully restored 15th-century riad with a spectacular tiled courtyard and rooftop terrace. Excellent location in the heart of the medina.

Dar Bensouda — A hidden gem in a quiet part of the medina, with elegant rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a particularly welcoming family atmosphere.

Riad Zamane — An excellent mid-range option with comfortable rooms, a pleasant rooftop terrace, and a helpful staff who can arrange guides, cooking classes, and day trips.

Budget guesthouses — Clean, comfortable budget accommodation is available throughout the medina for 200–350 MAD per night. Ask at your riad for recommendations.

Day Trips from Fes

Fes's central location in northern Morocco makes it an excellent base for day trips to some of Morocco's most significant historical and natural sites.

Meknes (1 hour)

Morocco's most underrated imperial city, Meknes was built by the megalomaniac Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century as his personal version of Versailles. The monumental granaries (Heri es-Souani), the vast Bab Mansour gate (considered the finest gate in Morocco), and the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail are all extraordinary. The medina of Meknes is far less touristic than those of Fes or Marrakech and offers excellent local shopping at fair prices.

Day trip cost from Fes: 30 MAD by train | Tour duration: 8–9 hours

Volubilis Roman Ruins (1.5 hours)

The best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, the ancient city of Volubilis was once the westernmost capital of the Roman Empire. Its extraordinary floor mosaics — depicting Orpheus, Bacchus, Diana, and mythological scenes in extraordinary detail and color — have been largely preserved in situ and are among the finest Roman mosaics in the world outside Italy.

The site sits in a fertile agricultural plain surrounded by olive trees and rolling hills. Allow 2–3 hours to explore properly.

Day trip cost: Usually combined with Meknes; guided tours from Fes cost 300–500 MAD per person

Chefchaouen (3 hours)

The famous Blue City of the Rif Mountains is accessible as a long day trip from Fes (about 3 hours each way by grand taxi or bus), though most travelers prefer to spend at least one night there. The blue-and-white medina, the Spanish Mosque viewpoint, the waterfall hike to Akchour, and the relaxed atmosphere make Chefchaouen unmissable.

Day trip duration: 12–14 hours (very long day) — an overnight stay is strongly recommended

Ifrane and the Middle Atlas (2 hours)

A completely different side of Morocco: the university town of Ifrane, with its alpine-style architecture and cedar forests, sits at 1,665 meters in the Middle Atlas. A day trip can combine Ifrane with the nearby Cèdre Gouraud cedar forest, home to Morocco's famous free-roaming Barbary macaques — a species of primate found nowhere else in Africa. The forests are beautiful in all seasons, spectacular when covered in snow in winter.

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (Festival de Fès des Musiques Sacrées du Monde) is one of the most prestigious music festivals in Africa and the Arab world. Held annually in June since 1994, it brings together musicians from across the globe for a week of concerts in some of the most spectacular venues imaginable: the illuminated ruins of Bab al-Makina, the gardens of Jnan Sbil, and the courtyard of the Royal Palace.

Past performers have included Youssou N'Dour, Patti Smith, Björk, Ben Harper, Paco de Lucía, Carmen Linares, and many of the great masters of Gnaoua, Sufi, and classical Moroccan music. The festival explores the spiritual dimensions of music from every tradition — Islamic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and indigenous — in the spirit of dialogue and shared humanity.

Many concerts are free; ticketed evening galas take place at the main venue.

Dates for 2025: Check the official festival website for confirmed dates each year.

Best Time to Visit Fes, Morocco

Spring (March–May): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Best Season

Spring is the finest time to visit Fes. Temperatures are warm and comfortable (20–27°C), wildflowers bloom in the surrounding hills, and the city is lively without the extreme summer heat. Spring is also when the Rose Festival takes place in the nearby Dades Valley, and when the surrounding Atlas Mountains are at their most beautiful.

Autumn (September–October): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Equally Excellent

Autumn offers very similar conditions to spring — warm days (25–30°C), cooler evenings, and lower tourist numbers than summer. The harvest season brings fresh dates, figs, and pomegranates to the medina's markets.

Winter (November–February): ⭐⭐⭐ — Good for Culture, Cold at Night

Winter in Fes can be cold, especially at night (temperatures sometimes dropping to 5–8°C), and occasional rain. However, the medina is at its most authentic during winter — far fewer tourists, lower prices, and a more local atmosphere. The Sacred Music Festival and summer festivals are absent, but the city's cultural life continues.

Summer (June–August): ⭐⭐ — Hot and Crowded

Summer in Fes is brutally hot (temperatures regularly exceed 40°C in July and August) and the medina can be oppressively crowded. The Festival of World Sacred Music in June is a significant draw, but outside of that, summer is the least comfortable time to visit. If you must visit in summer, stay in air-conditioned accommodation and plan your outdoor exploration for early morning and late evening.

How to Get to Fes

By Air

Fes-Saïss Airport (FEZ) is 12 kilometers south of the city center and receives direct flights from many European cities (Paris, London, Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam) as well as from Gulf carriers. The airport is small and easy to navigate. A taxi from the airport to the medina costs approximately 120–150 MAD; negotiate before getting in.

Alternatively, if you are arriving via Casablanca Mohammed V Airport or Marrakech Menara Airport, the train to Fes is comfortable and straightforward (see below).

By Train

The ONCF train network connects Fes to Casablanca (3.5 hours), Rabat (3 hours), Meknes (40 minutes), and Tangier (4.5 hours). The new Al Boraq high-speed train runs from Casablanca via Rabat and Kenitra to Tangier, with connections to Fes. Trains are comfortable, punctual, and excellent value. Book tickets at ONCF.ma.

By Bus

CTM (Morocco's national long-distance bus company) operates comfortable, air-conditioned services between Fes and all major Moroccan cities. Fes's main CTM bus station is near the Ville Nouvelle, a short taxi ride from the medina.

By Car

Fes is connected by motorway to Casablanca (3.5 hours), Rabat (2.5 hours), and Tangier (3.5 hours). Driving in Morocco's cities can be chaotic; parking near the medina is extremely limited. If renting a car, park at the perimeter of the medina and walk in.

Getting Around Fes

On foot — The only way to explore the medinas is on foot. The medina is entirely car-free; the Ville Nouvelle is walkable but large.

Petit taxis — Small, metered taxis operate throughout Fes and are very inexpensive. Insist that the driver uses the meter. A typical journey within the city costs 15–30 MAD. Do not use unofficial taxis.

Grand taxis — Shared long-distance taxis (usually old Mercedes) connect Fes to surrounding towns. They depart when full (typically 6 passengers) from fixed stands near the medina gates.

Donkeys and mules — In the medina, these are the only cargo transport. You will encounter them often. When you hear "balak!" — step aside quickly.

Fes Morocco Itineraries 

1 Day in Fes (Absolute Minimum)

• Morning: Bab Boujloud → Bou Inania Madrasa → Chouara Tannery
• Lunch: Food stalls in the medina (harira, msemen, fruit juice)
• Afternoon: Al-Qarawiyyin area → Al-Attarine Madrasa → Seffarine Square
• Sunset: Merenid Tombs viewpoint

2 Days in Fes (Recommended Minimum)

Day 1: Full medina exploration with a licensed guide (Bou Inania, Al-Qarawiyyin, tanneries, Seffarine Square) Day 2: Cooking class in the morning, Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah in the afternoon, Merenid Tombs at sunset

3 Days in Fes (Ideal)

Day 1: Guided medina tour Day 2: Cooking class + Jnan Sbil Gardens + Dar Batha Museum + hammam experience Day 3: Day trip to Meknes and Volubilis

5 Days Based in Fes

As above, with an additional overnight trip to Chefchaouen and a morning at the Ain Nokbi pottery district.

Practical Travel Tips for Fes

Currency: Morocco's currency is the Dirham (MAD). ATMs are widespread in the Ville Nouvelle; fewer in the medina. Carry cash for the souks and small restaurants. Approximate exchange rate: 1 USD ≈ 10 MAD (check current rates before traveling).

Language: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) are official languages; French is widely spoken in business and tourism. In the medina, many shopkeepers speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. Learning a few words — shukran (thank you), la bas (hello/how are you), b'saha (cheers) — earns genuine warmth.

Dress code: Fes is a traditional city. Modest dress is respectful — covering shoulders and knees is recommended for both men and women when exploring the medina. Lightweight linen or cotton works well and is available cheaply in the souks.

Tipping: Expected but not required. A few dirhams in a café, 10–15% in restaurants, 50–100 MAD for a half-day licensed guide, 20–30 MAD for a porter helping with luggage.

Safety: Fes is generally safe for tourists. Standard precautions apply: watch your belongings in crowded areas, be alert to commission-based touts who offer to "show you around" and then take you to shops where they receive a percentage of sales. Hire only licensed guides from your riad or the official tourist office. The medina at night is safe on the main streets but can feel disorienting; stick to well-lit areas.

Internet: WiFi is available in most riads, hotels, and cafés. A local SIM card (available at the airport or in the Ville Nouvelle) provides excellent data coverage for navigation throughout the medina.

Electricity: 220V, European round-pin sockets. Bring a travel adapter if needed.

Health: Tap water is not recommended for drinking; buy bottled water. Street food is generally safe if freshly cooked; avoid anything that looks like it has been sitting out in heat.

FAQs About Visiting Fes, Morocco

Is Fes worth visiting in Morocco? Absolutely. Fes is considered by many experienced travelers to be the most authentic and culturally rich city in Morocco — and one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. Its medina is unlike anything else on Earth, and its food, architecture, and craftsmanship are world-class.

How many days do you need in Fes, Morocco? A minimum of two days is needed to see the highlights without rushing. Three to four days allows you to explore more deeply, take a cooking class, and do a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis. Five or more days lets you settle into the city's rhythm and discover its quieter corners.

Is Fes better than Marrakech? They offer very different experiences. Marrakech is more polished, more international, and easier to navigate as a first-time visitor. Fes is more authentic, more intense, more historically layered, and more rewarding for travelers who want a deeper experience of Moroccan culture. Most travelers who visit both agree that Fes is the more extraordinary city.

Is Fes, Morocco safe for tourists? Yes. Fes is a safe destination for tourists. The primary concerns are petty theft in crowded areas and commission-based touts in the medina. Violent crime targeting tourists is rare. Hire licensed guides and exercise standard travel awareness.

What is Fes, Morocco famous for? Fes is famous for: its ancient medina (the world's largest car-free urban area), the Chouara Tannery (one of the world's oldest), the University of Al-Qarawiyyin (the world's oldest continuously operating university), its blue ceramics and fine leatherwork, its extraordinary Islamic architecture, and its sophistication as Morocco's culinary capital.

What is the best time to visit Fes, Morocco? Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit, with comfortable temperatures and lower tourist numbers. Avoid July and August if possible — temperatures regularly exceed 40°C. June is excellent if you want to attend the Festival of World Sacred Music.

How far is Fes from Marrakech? Fes is approximately 530 kilometers from Marrakech by road (about 5–6 hours by car or CTM bus). By train, the journey requires a connection in Casablanca and takes approximately 7–8 hours total. Most travelers include both cities in a one-week Morocco itinerary.

Do I need a guide in Fes medina? A licensed guide is strongly recommended for at least your first day. The medina's 9,000-plus streets are genuinely bewildering, and a good guide provides historical context, prevents you from being hassled by touts, and shows you workshops and spaces you would never find independently. For subsequent days, Maps.me offline navigation works reasonably well.

What should I buy in Fes, Morocco? The best things to buy in Fes are: blue-and-white ceramics, high-quality leather goods (bags, babouche slippers, belts), hand-woven carpets, cedar woodwork, Fassi embroidered textiles, saffron and other spices, and argan oil directly from a women's cooperative.

Can I visit Fes on a budget? Yes. Budget travelers can live very comfortably in Fes for 300–500 MAD per day ($30–50 USD), covering accommodation in a clean guesthouse or hostel, street food and local restaurants, and local transport. The medina's street food is some of the best and cheapest in Morocco.

Why Fes, Morocco Belongs on Every Serious Traveler's List

There is a reason that travelers who visit Fes almost universally describe it as the highlight of their Morocco trip — and often of their entire travel life. It is a city that operates at a different frequency from the rest of the modern world. It is noisy, chaotic, overwhelming, and occasionally exasperating. It is also one of the most beautiful, most historically rich, and most spiritually alive cities on the planet.

Walk through its 9,000 streets. Get lost. Find your way back by the sound of the hammers on copper. Drink tea in a riad courtyard while the afternoon light falls through the cedarwood screens. Eat pastilla on a rooftop terrace as the minarets light up and the city falls into its ancient evening rhythm.

Fes, Morocco does not show you the world as it is. It shows you the world as it was — and as it might still be, if we are very fortunate, for some time yet.