Best Things to Do in Fes: A Local Guide to the Medina

Fes is the most authentic of Morocco’s imperial cities. Its old medina, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, with thousands of narrow lanes where donkeys still carry goods and craftsmen work as they did centuries ago. Here are the best things to do in Fes, with tips from our local team to make the most of the city.

1. Bab Bou Jeloud, the Blue Gate

Most visits start at Bab Bou Jeloud, the famous gate covered in blue tiles on the outside and green on the inside. Through its arches you can already see the minarets of the old city. Around the gate there are many small cafés, perfect for a mint tea before you dive into the medina.

2. Get Lost in Fes el-Bali

The medina of Fes is a true labyrinth of more than nine thousand alleys. Two main streets, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Sghira, cross it from the Blue Gate down to the heart of the old town. Along the way you will find bakeries, spice stalls, fountains and workshops of every kind. For your first visit, a licensed local guide is the best way to understand the city and find your way back.

3. Chouara Tannery

The image everyone knows from Fes: hundreds of stone vats filled with dyes, where leather has been treated by hand in the same way for centuries. You see it from the terraces of the leather shops around it. The smell is strong, so you will often be given a sprig of mint at the entrance. Mornings are best, when the light is good and the workers are busy.

4. Al-Qarawiyyin

Founded in the 9th century by Fatima al-Fihri, Al-Qarawiyyin is considered one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. The mosque is open to Muslims only, but you can look into its beautiful courtyard from the doors, and walk around its famous library area.

5. The Madrasas of Fes

The Bou Inania Madrasa and the Al-Attarine Madrasa are masterpieces of Marinid art, with carved cedar wood, fine stucco and colourful zellige tiles. They are small, calm and among the most beautiful buildings in Morocco.

6. Nejjarine and the Crafts of Fes

The Nejjarine square, with its tiled fountain and the Museum of Wooden Arts, is a lovely stop. Fes is also famous for its blue pottery, brass work, weaving and embroidery. Visiting workshops with your guide is the best way to see these crafts and buy directly from the artisans.

7. The Royal Palace and the Mellah

In Fes el-Jdid, the newer part of the old city, the golden doors of the Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen) are one of the most photographed sights in Morocco. Next to it, the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, has houses with wooden balconies that look out onto the street, unlike the rest of the medina.

8. Sunset Viewpoints

For the best panorama, go up to the Merenid Tombs or the Borj Nord fortress in the late afternoon. From there, the whole medina spreads below you, and at sunset you can hear the calls to prayer from hundreds of minarets.

Day Trips From Fes

• Volubilis and Meknes: the best Roman ruins in Morocco, and a nearby imperial city with grand gates.
• Ifrane and Azrou: the “Switzerland of Morocco” and the cedar forests with Barbary macaques.
• Chefchaouen: the blue city, about 4 hours away. It is better with one night there than as a day trip.
• The Sahara: Merzouga is closer to Fes than to Marrakech, so even 2 days works. See our 2 Days Desert Tour From Fes To Merzouga or continue to Marrakech with the 3 Days Desert Tour From Fes To Marrakech.

Local Tips for Fes

• Take a guide for the first day: the medina is much more complex than Marrakech, and a guide saves you time and stress.
• Say no to unofficial guides politely; your riad can book a licensed guide for you.
• Wear good shoes: the lanes are steep and uneven.
• Stay in a riad in or near the medina, for the atmosphere and easy access.
• Two days are ideal: one for the medina, one for a day trip or a slower second visit.

Coming from Marrakech? Read our guide to the Marrakech to Fes desert route, and see the best things to do in Marrakech. Questions about safety? Read Is Morocco safe for tourists?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fes worth visiting?

Yes. If you want to see the traditional Morocco of craftsmen, old madrasas and a living medina, Fes is a must.

Fes or Marrakech?

Both, if you can. Marrakech is lively and colourful, Fes is older, calmer and more traditional. The Sahara lies between them, so a desert tour links them perfectly.

How many days do I need in Fes?

Two full days are ideal. With a third day, add Volubilis and Meknes or the Middle Atlas.