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Explore Fes el-Bali
The old medina is best explored with a local guide: its thousands of lanes hide fountains, souks, caravanserais and workshops you would never find alone.
Fes Travel Guide
Morocco’s oldest imperial city: a living medieval medina of craftsmen, tanneries and centuries-old madrasas.
RegionFes-Meknes, northern Morocco
Best timeMarch to May, Sept to Nov
Time needed2 days, plus 1 for day trips
AirportFes-Saïss (FEZ)
Why Visit
Why Visit Fes
Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities and for centuries was its religious and intellectual centre. Its old town, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.
Walking through the medina feels like stepping back in time: donkeys still carry goods through lanes too narrow for cars, and coppersmiths, weavers and leather workers practise crafts passed down for generations. The city is also home to Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 and considered one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.
Fes combines naturally with Chefchaouen to the north and the road south through the Middle Atlas to Merzouga.
Things to Do
Top Things to Do in Fes
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Chouara Tannery
See leather being dyed in stone vats exactly as it has been for centuries, best viewed from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops.
3. Madrasas and Al Quaraouiyine
The Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas show the finest carved cedar, stucco and zellige in Morocco. Al Quaraouiyine itself can be glimpsed from its doorways.
4. Bab Bou Jeloud
The blue-tiled “Blue Gate” is the classic entrance to the medina and a good starting point for the main street of Talaa Kebira.
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Volubilis
A short drive away, the Roman ruins of Volubilis are a UNESCO site with remarkably preserved mosaics, columns and a triumphal arch.
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Meknes
The imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, famous for the monumental Bab Mansour gate. It pairs easily with Volubilis in a single day.
Plan Your Visit
Planning Your Time in Fes
Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn are ideal, with pleasant temperatures for long walks in the medina.
Summers are hot and winters can be cold and rainy, but the medina’s shaded lanes make it a year-round destination.
Getting There & Around
Fes-Saïss Airport (FEZ) has flights from several European cities. Trains link Fes with Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Tangier and Marrakech.
By road, Chefchaouen is around 3.5 to 4 hours away, and Merzouga roughly 8 to 9 hours via the Middle Atlas, Ifrane and the Ziz Valley, which many travelers split with stops.
Local Tips
- Hire a licensed local guide for your first day in the medina; it is easy to get lost.
- Accept that you will be offered mint leaves to hold at the tannery: they help with the smell.
- Stay in a riad inside or close to the medina.
- Allow an extra day for Volubilis and Meknes.
Tours
Tours That Include Fes
Fes is a highlight of our multi-day private tours from Casablanca, often combined with Chefchaouen and the Sahara. We can also plan a custom route starting or ending in Fes.
15 Days Morocco Private Tour from Casablanca
Private 15-day Morocco tour from Casablanca: Rabat, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, a Sahara camp in Merzouga, Aït Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Essaouira, with…
View itinerary14 Days Morocco Private Tour: Casablanca to Marrakech
View itineraryBuild Your Own Trip
Tell us your dates and interests and we will plan a private route around them.
Plan my tripFAQ
Fes Travel Questions
How many days do you need in Fes?
Two days is enough to explore the medina properly with a guide. Add a third day if you want to visit Volubilis and Meknes.
Can you travel from Fes to the Sahara?
Yes. The road from Fes to Merzouga crosses the Middle Atlas, passing the cedar forests near Azrou and the Ziz Valley. It takes roughly 8 to 9 hours of driving, so many itineraries include stops along the way.
Is it easy to get lost in the Fes medina?
Yes, very. The lanes of Fes el-Bali are a famous labyrinth, which is part of the charm. A local guide makes the first visit far easier and more rewarding.
Can Fes be combined with Chefchaouen?
Yes. Chefchaouen is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours from Fes by road and the two are often combined on a northern Morocco route.
Combine With
More Morocco Destinations
Plan With Locals
Plan Your Fes Trip
Tell us your dates, group size and interests. Our Marrakech-based team will suggest a private route and reply within 24 hours.