The golden gates of the Royal Palace in Fes

Destination guide · Fès-Meknès

Fes Travel Guide

The world’s largest living medieval medina

By Youssef & Olivia · Updated September 2026

Best time: March to May, September to November
Region: Fès-Meknès
Getting there: Fès–Saïss Airport (FEZ), 15 km from the city
Known for: Fes el-Bali, tanneries, madrasas, crafts

Overview

Why visit Fes, Morocco

Fes, Morocco is the country’s spiritual and craft capital. Its old city, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest car free urban areas in the world, with thousands of lanes where donkeys still carry goods past tanneries, workshops and centuries old madrasas. Founded in the 8th and 9th centuries, Fes is home to al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 and often cited as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. It is more intense and less polished than Marrakech, which is exactly why many travelers love it. Give it at least two full days.

Gallery

Fes, Morocco in pictures

A quick look at the places in this guide.

Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque & University, Fes, Morocco

Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate), Fes, Morocco

When to go

Best time to visit Fes

The best months to visit Fes, Morocco are March to May, September to November.

Best

Spring (March to May)

Mild days of 20 to 26°C and green hills around the city. Ideal for long walks through the medina.

Very hot

Summer (June to August)

Hot and dry, often 35°C in July and August. The shaded medina lanes help, but plan indoor visits for the afternoon.

Best

Autumn (September to November)

Warm, settled weather in September and October; rain returns in November.

Wet

Winter (December to February)

Cool and damp with days around 16°C and cold nights. Fewer visitors and lower prices.

Our picks

Top 10 attractions in Fes

Our pick of the ten places not to miss in Fes, Morocco, each with a local tip.

Fes el-Bali medina
The ancient walled city of souks, fondouks, mosques and workshops, best explored slowly over a full day.
Local tip: Hire a licensed guide for your first morning to learn the main routes.
Chouara Tannery
The famous honeycomb of dye pits where hides are coloured using methods unchanged for centuries.
Local tip: View it from a leather shop terrace; a small tip or purchase is expected. Take the offered mint sprig.
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque & University
Founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, a landmark of Islamic learning. Only Muslims can enter, but visitors can look into the courtyard from the doorways.
Local tip: Look for the gate views on Talaa Kebira and the nearby library area.
Al-Attarine Madrasa
A 14th century Marinid school with some of the finest zellige, stucco and carved cedar in Morocco.
Local tip: Small and exquisite; visit early for photos without crowds.
Photo: Ideophagous, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Bou Inania Madrasa
One of the few religious buildings in Fes open to all visitors, with a striking courtyard and minaret.
Local tip: Look across the street for the remains of the medieval water clock.
Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate)
The ornate main entrance to Fes el-Bali, blue tiles on the outside and green on the inside.
Local tip: A good meeting point and the start of both main streets, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira.
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts
A restored fondouk showing carved cedar doors, tools and crafts, with a rooftop café.
Local tip: Pause at the Nejjarine fountain in the square outside.
Royal Palace gates (Dar al-Makhzen)
The monumental brass doors of the palace in Fes el-Jdid, framed by mosaic and carved cedar.
Local tip: Combine with a walk through the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter next door.
Photo: Ciell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jnan Sbil Gardens
A restored royal garden with fountains, palms and bamboo between the old and new cities.
Local tip: A peaceful break from the medina, and free to enter.
Merenid Tombs viewpoint
Ruined tombs on the hill north of the city with the best panorama over the medina.
Local tip: Go at sunset, by taxi, and listen to the call to prayer roll across the valley.

Experiences

Things to do in Fes

Take a guided medina tour

A licensed guide turns the maze into stories and saves hours of wrong turns.

Try pottery and zellige

Visit the potteries of Ain Nokbi to see Fes blue ceramics and mosaic tiles being made.

Eat Fassi specialities

Try pastilla, bissara soup at breakfast and snail broth from street stalls if you are brave.

Stay in a restored riad

Fes has some of the most beautiful historic houses in the country.

Relax in a hammam

Neighbourhood hammams are cheap; riad spas are more private.

Learn a craft

Workshops offer short classes in calligraphy, weaving or leatherwork.

Transport

Getting to and around Fes

Getting there

Fès–Saïss Airport (FEZ) serves Fes, Morocco, with flights from Europe, and is about 25 minutes from the medina. Trains connect Fes with Rabat (about 2h40), Casablanca (about 4h), Tangier (about 4 to 5h) and Marrakech (about 7h). CTM buses run to Chefchaouen in about 4 hours.

Getting around

Fes el-Bali is entirely on foot. Petit taxis (red in Fes) run between the gates, Fes el-Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle. Use a gate such as Bab Bou Jeloud or Bab R’cif as the place to get dropped off.

Accommodation

Where to stay in Fes

Historic riads

Fes el-Bali

Stay inside the old city for rooftop views and early morning walks before the crowds.

Easy access

Near Bab Bou Jeloud

Close to taxis and the two main streets, handy for first time visitors and late arrivals.

Modern hotels

Ville Nouvelle

Wide avenues, larger hotels and cafés, a short taxi ride from the medina.

Nearby

Day trips from Fes

Sefrou
A small walled town with a relaxed medina and waterfall.
40 min
Meknes
The imperial city of Moulay Ismail, with Bab Mansour and vast granaries.
1 h
Volubilis & Moulay Idriss
Morocco’s best preserved Roman ruins and a hilltop holy town.
1 h 15
Ifrane & Azrou
The “Switzerland of Morocco” and cedar forests with Barbary macaques.
1 h
Chefchaouen
The blue town of the Rif, better as an overnight stop.
3 h 30 to 4 h