Bab Boujloud, the blue tiled gate of the Fes medina – Fes Travel Guide — Bab Boujloud, the blue tiled gate of the Fes medina. Fes, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Fes Travel Guide · Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital

Fes: The Oldest Living Medina

Nine thousand lanes, medieval madrasas, tanneries and workshops that have barely changed in centuries: Fes is the most complete medieval city in the Arab world.

Destination overview

The Essence of Fes

Fes el-Bali, the old medina, was founded in the 9th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No cars enter it. Goods still travel by donkey and handcart through lanes lined with coppersmiths, weavers, dyers and bakers, and the call to prayer rises from the Quaraouiyine, often described as the oldest university in the world. It is a place to explore slowly, ideally with a local guide who knows which doors to push.

Around the old city are the Royal Palace with its golden gates, the Jewish quarter of the Mellah and the hilltop Merenid Tombs, with the best view over the rooftops. Fes is also a gateway: Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis are an hour away, Chefchaouen is a day trip to the north, and the road south crosses the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas on its way to the Sahara.

Minarets of the Fes medina seen through the arch of Bab Boujloud. One of the sights in our Fes travel guide.

Dye pits of the Chouara tannery in Fes. A corner of Fes worth the journey.

A zellige mosaic fountain in Fes. Fes, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Quick Facts

RegionFès-Meknès
Ideal stay2 days
Best seasonMarch to May, September to November
Famous forMedina, tanneries, madrasas and crafts

Iconic landmarks

Must-See Places in Fes

Bab Boujloud

The blue gate into the old medina

Chouara Tannery

Leather dyed by hand since medieval times

Royal Palace Gates

Seven golden doors framed in zellige

Bou Inania Madrasa

Carved cedar, stucco and marble

Al Quaraouiyine

The mosque and university at the heart of Fes

Merenid Tombs Viewpoint

The whole medina at your feet

Unique experiences

Experience Fes Your Way

Guided Medina Tour – A full day in the lanes with a local guide. One of the sights in our Fes travel guide.

Pottery & Zellige Workshops – Watch Fes ceramics shaped and painted. A corner of Fes worth the journey.

Volubilis & Meknes – Roman mosaics and an imperial city. Fes, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Middle Atlas Cedar Forest – Barbary macaques among ancient cedars. One of the sights in our Fes travel guide.

Chefchaouen Day Trip – The blue town in the Rif mountains. A corner of Fes worth the journey.

Featured tours

Popular Tours from Fes

Camel caravan walking along a dune ridge in the Merzouga desert. Fes, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

3-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga

Fes · Merzouga · Dades Valley · Marrakech

Price On request

Earthen village and palm groves beneath the cliffs of a southern Morocco gorge. One of the sights in our Fes travel guide.

4-Day Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour

Fes · Midelt · Merzouga · Fes

A campfire glowing among the Sahara dunes under a starry night sky. A corner of Fes worth the journey.

5-Day Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour via Merzouga

Fes · Merzouga · Dades Valley · Ait Ben Haddou · Marrakech

Explore Fes

Interactive Map

Discover the main attractions, neighbourhoods and nearby places to help you plan your visit.

Travel guide

When to Visit Fes

Fes has hot, dry summers and cool, sometimes wet winters. Spring and autumn bring the best walking weather for long days in the medina.

SpringMar – MayMild, green hills
SummerJun – AugHot; the lanes stay shaded
AutumnSep – NovWarm and clear
WinterDec – FebCool, with some rain

Useful Travel Tips

Take a licensed guide for your first day; the medina has no street grid
Wear flat, closed shoes for the cobbles and slopes
Step aside for loaded donkeys when you hear “balak!”
Ask before photographing artisans at work

Travel blog

Stories from Fes

10 Things to Do in Fes for First-Time Visitors

Travel guideRead More

Inside the Tanneries of Fes

Volubilis and Meknes: A Day Trip from Fes

Frequently asked questions

Fes Travel Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

How many days should I spend in Fes?

Plan two nights: one full day for the medina with a guide, and a second for the Royal Palace, the Mellah and the viewpoints, or for a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes.

What is the best time to visit Fes?

March to May and September to November are ideal. July and August can pass 38°C, though the covered lanes stay cooler, and winter is cold in the evenings.

Do I need a guide in the Fes medina?

For a first visit, yes. With around 9,000 lanes and no vehicle access it is easy to lose your bearings, and a licensed guide takes you into madrasas, workshops and terraces you would not find alone.

Can I reach the Sahara from Fes?

Yes. Merzouga is about 470 km south, a long but scenic day through Ifrane, the cedar forests and the Ziz Valley. Our desert tours from Fes start at three days.

Is Fes safe for visitors?

Yes. Fes is used to welcoming travellers and serious problems are rare. Take the same care you would anywhere: keep valuables out of sight in busy places and agree prices in advance. On a private tour your driver-guide is with you throughout the journey.

Can you include Fes in a private tour?

Yes. Fes features in many of our private tours, and every itinerary can be adjusted. Tell us how long you would like to stay and we will build the route around it.

A traveller sitting on a dune as the sun sets over the Sahara. Fes, Morocco: a view from our travel guide.

Ready for your journey?

Make Fes Part of Your Morocco Story

Let us create a private itinerary around Fes, with the stops, pace and accommodation that suit you.

More than a trip…it’s a feeling

Planning your trip? For official information about Morocco, visit Visit Morocco, the website of the Moroccan National Tourist Office.