Fes is Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital and the oldest of its imperial cities. Founded in the 9th century, its medina, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world: a labyrinth of more than 9,000 lanes where donkeys still carry goods and craftsmen work as they have for centuries. Here are the best things to do in Fes, with tips to enjoy the city at your own pace.
At a glance. Ideal stay: 2 nights · Best months: April–June and September–October · Must-see: Fes el-Bali with a private guide · Getting around: on foot in the medina, car for the gates and viewpoints · Good to know: many sites close on Friday at midday.
1. Explore Fes el-Bali with a private guide
The old medina is the reason to come to Fes. With a licensed local guide you will find your way through the souks of spices, slippers, brass and silk, discover hidden fondouks (caravanserais) and courtyards, and learn the stories behind each quarter. A full day with a guide is included in all our tours that visit Fes.
2. See the Chouara tannery
The most famous sight in Fes: round stone vats of dye and limestone where leather has been treated by hand since medieval times. The best views are from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops; go in the morning, when the colours are brightest, and take the sprig of mint offered at the door.
3. Visit the Al-Attarine and Bou Inania madrasas
These 14th-century Marinid religious schools are masterpieces of Moroccan craftsmanship, with carved cedar, delicate stucco and zellige tilework around peaceful courtyards. Bou Inania is one of the few religious buildings in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors.
4. Al Quaraouiyine, the world’s oldest university
Founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, Al Quaraouiyine is widely recognised as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. The mosque itself is reserved for Muslims, but through its great doors you can glimpse the courtyard and fountains while your guide tells the story of the scholars who studied here.
5. Watch the copper-beaters of Seffarine Square
In this small square, the ring of hammers on copper and brass has echoed for centuries as artisans make cauldrons, trays and lanterns. Nearby, visit a weaver at his loom, a zellige workshop and a potter – many pieces can be shipped home.
6. Stand before the Royal Palace gates
In Fes el-Jdid, the 13th-century ‘new’ city, the gilded brass doors of Dar al-Makhzen, the Royal Palace, are one of the most photographed sights in Morocco. Nearby, the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, has distinctive balconied houses and a historic synagogue and cemetery.
7. Watch sunset from the Marinid Tombs
From the hill of the ruined Marinid Tombs, the whole medina spreads out below you – a sea of rooftops, minarets and satellite dishes. Come at sunset, when the calls to prayer echo across the valley.
8. Taste the food of Fes
Fes is known for its refined cuisine: pastilla (a sweet-and-savoury pie), slow-cooked tagines, and pastries perfumed with orange blossom. Try street snacks with your guide, or join a cooking class in a riad – included in our VIP package.
9. Stay in a riad in the medina
Sleeping inside the medina is part of the experience: you hear the call to prayer, walk to the souks in minutes and return to a calm courtyard. Our favourite addresses are in the best luxury hotels and riads in Morocco.
10. Day trip to Meknes and Volubilis
One hour from Fes, the Roman city of Volubilis has beautiful mosaics and a triumphal arch, and nearby Meknes has the monumental Bab Mansour gate and the granaries of Sultan Moulay Ismail. On our tours we visit both on the way to Fes from Casablanca or Chefchaouen.
Tips for visiting Fes
- Take a licensed guide: the medina is a true labyrinth, and unofficial guides can be persistent. Your guide keeps the day relaxed.
- Friday: many shops and some monuments close around midday prayers – we plan around them.
- Wear comfortable shoes: lanes are steep and uneven, and the medina is car-free.
- Allow two nights: one full day in the medina and a relaxed evening in your riad.
Discover Fes on a private tour
Fes is part of most of our itineraries: two nights on our 9-day, 10-day, 12-day and 14-day tours, and on our Imperial Cities tour. Compare them on our tours page or ask us for a tailor-made plan – we reply the same day, often within an hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Fes?
Two nights is ideal: one full day with a guide in the medina, plus time to enjoy your riad, the viewpoints and the food. Add a day for Meknes and Volubilis.
Is Fes worth visiting?
Absolutely. Fes el-Bali is the most authentic medieval medina in Morocco and one of the great cultural sights of the Arab world.
Do I need a guide in Fes?
We strongly recommend one. The medina has thousands of lanes, and a licensed guide shows you the hidden sights and keeps unofficial guides away.
Fes or Marrakech: which is better?
They are very different. Marrakech is lively, glamorous and full of gardens; Fes is older, more traditional and more spiritual. Most of our guests visit both. See the best things to do in Marrakech.
Continue reading: 15 best things to do in Morocco and our Chefchaouen travel guide.
