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Destinations / Morocco

Fez

Fes

The world's largest car free medina

historyarchitecturefoodshopping
Plan your trip to FezSee the top 10
1,183,000Population
Arabic, Amazigh, FrenchLanguage
MADCurrency
3 daysIdeal stay
$90-160Typical day

Fez is Morocco's spiritual and craft capital, with a vast medieval medina of alleys, tanneries and madrasas. It is intense and fascinating. A guide helps on the first day.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. Fes el Bali is the vast medieval medina of Fez, a UNESCO site with thousands of alleys and no cars. It is one of the largest car free urban areas in the world.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free; guides cost extra.

    Tip. Hire an official guide for your first visit.
    See on the map

  2. The Bou Inania Madrasa is a 14th century religious school with carved cedar, stucco and tiles. It is one of the few religious buildings open to non Muslims.

    45 minutesTime needed
    about $3Cost
    noBook ahead

    About 30 MAD at the door (2026).

    Tip. Go early; dress modestly.
    See on the map

  3. The Chouara Tannery has dyed leather in stone vats for centuries. Terraces of shops overlook it.

    45 minutesTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Tip the shop.

    Tip. Shops offer mint for the smell; a tip or purchase is expected.
    See on the map

  4. Al Quaraouiyine is often called the oldest university in the world still operating, founded in the 9th century. Non Muslims may only glimpse it through the doors.

    15 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Look in from the doorways.
    See on the map

  5. Bab Bou Jeloud is the blue and green tiled gate to the medina. It is a meeting point.

    15 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. A good starting point for walks.
    See on the map

  6. Al Attarine Madrasa is a richly decorated 14th century school. It is near Al Quaraouiyine.

    30 minutesTime needed
    about $2-3Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry.

    Tip. Visit with the Bou Inania for comparison.
    See on the map

  7. Volubilis is a Roman city with mosaics and ruins near Meknes. It is a UNESCO site.

    Half a dayTime needed
    about $10Cost
    noBook ahead

    2026 foreign adult ticket is 100 MAD; guides extra.

    Tip. About 1.5 hours away; combine with Meknes.
    See on the map

  8. The Royal Palace gates are large, decorated brass doors. The palace itself is closed.

    15 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Good for photos.
    See on the map

  9. The Mellah is the old Jewish quarter of Fez, with distinctive balconies. It has a synagogue and cemetery.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Visit with a guide.
    See on the map

  10. Borj Nord is a fortress on a hill above the medina. It has panoramic views.

    1 hourTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Go at sunset.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Short on time?

Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Fez in three days

Add Volubilis and Meknes.

  1. Fes el Bali medinaFull day · Free
  2. Bou Inania Madrasa45 minutes · about $3
  3. Chouara Tannery45 minutes
  4. Al Quaraouiyine15 minutes · Free
  5. Bab Bou Jeloud15 minutes · Free
  6. Al Attarine Madrasa30 minutes · about $2-3
  7. VolubilisHalf a day · about $10
  8. Royal Palace gates15 minutes · Free
  9. Mellah of Fez1 hour · Free
  10. Borj Nord1 hour · Free
Beyond the city

Day trips

Chefchaouen

The blue town.

124 mi · Car about 3.5 hours

Ifrane

Alpine town.

40 mi · Car about 1 hour

Sefrou

Quiet Berber town known for its cherry festival.

17 mi · Grand taxi, about 40 minutes

Ifrane and Azrou

Alpine style town and cedar forest with monkeys.

40 mi · Train or bus, about 1 to 1.5 hours

Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

Holy hillside town near Volubilis.

37 mi · Grand taxi, about 1 hour

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: March to May and September to November. Mild weather.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.7JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

60°F
Typical daily high
Average50°F
Rain3.7 in
About12 rainy days
Sun strength2.8 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Jun

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music

June 4 to 7, 2026 (29th edition)

Long running music festival in Fez venues; check dates for each year.

Feb

Ramadan

Around February to March 2027

Restaurants may close by day; evenings are lively.

Jul

Throne Day

July 30

National holiday celebrating the king's accession.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

The US State Department rates Morocco at Level 2 (increased caution) for terrorism; Fez is safe overall, but fake guides and hustlers are common.

4/5
Walkability

The medina is walking only, but hilly and confusing.

2/5
Public transport

Petits taxis serve the new town.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
1234

1. Fes el Bali riads

$$

Best for: first-timers, couples

In the medina.

2. Ville Nouvelle

$$

Best for: budget

Modern hotels.

3. Batha

$$$

Best for: families

Medina edge.

4. Near Bab Boujloud

$

Best for: budget

A convenient gate for the main medina route.

Getting there and around

Main airportFes Saiss Airport (FEZ), 9 mi from the center
To the centerA taxi takes about 25 minutes.
Around townWalk the medina and use petits taxis.
Ride appsCareem, inDrive
Taste it

What to eat

Pastilla

Sweet and savory pie.

Harira

Lentil soup.

Mint tea

Sweet green tea.

Tagine

Slow cooked stew in a clay pot.

Good to know

PlugsType C and E, 220 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingLeave about 10 percent in restaurants and small tips for guides and porters.
PaymentsCash is used for most things; cards work in hotels and bigger shops.
EtiquetteDress modestly, cover shoulders and knees. Ask before photographing people, and bargain politely.
  • Unofficial guides may offer help; politely decline.
  • Cash is needed in the medina.
  • Summers are very hot.
  • Fridays are quieter.
  • Fake guides may say a road is closed to lead you to a shop.
  • Use an official guide for the first medina day.
  • The tanneries smell strongly, so take mint leaves.
  • Non-Muslims cannot enter most mosques.

A short history

Idris I founded Fez in 789, and it grew under later dynasties. Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859, is often called the oldest university. The Marinids built madrasas in the 1300s. UNESCO listed Fes el Bali in 1981.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Fez