3 Days in Fes: The Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers (2026)
3 days in Fes, in short: spend day 1 in the old medina, Fes el-Bali, with a licensed guide (Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania, Al Attarine, the Chouara tannery and Seffarine Square), day 2 in Fes el-Jdid and on the viewpoints (Royal Palace gates, the Mellah, Jnan Sbil, Dar Batha and Borj Nord), and day 3 on a day trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes. Entry fees for the city sights add up to about 150 MAD per person.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this itinerary are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
3 days in Fes is the right amount of time for a first visit: one day to learn the medina, one day to explore at your own pace, and one day for the UNESCO sites nearby. This Fes itinerary groups sights by area so you walk downhill and save your energy, with opening hours, entry prices and tips for each stop. For the bigger picture, see our Fes travel guide.
Fes Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1: Fes el-Bali | Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania, Talaa Kebira | Nejjarine, Al Attarine, Chouara tannery, Seffarine | Riad dinner or rooftop |
| Day 2: Fes el-Jdid and views | Royal Palace gates, Mellah, Jnan Sbil | Dar Batha, hammam or cooking class | Sunset at Borj Nord |
| Day 3: Volubilis and Meknes | Volubilis Roman ruins | Moulay Idriss and Meknes | Back in Fes, last walk in the medina |
Map of the 3-Day Fes Itinerary
Red pins are day 1 and blue pins are day 2. Tap a pin for details, or open it in Google Maps.
Day 3 of your 3 days in Fes is outside the city, so it is not on the map. Pins are approximate.
Day 1: Fes el-Bali, the Madrasas and the Tannery
The first of your 3 days in Fes is all on foot inside the old medina. Start at the top, at Bab Boujloud, and work downhill so the walking is easier. A licensed guide for this first day is the best investment of the trip: the medina is a maze, and a guide helps you learn the main routes and keeps unofficial guides away.
Morning: Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania and Talaa Kebira
Meet your guide at the blue-tiled Bab Boujloud, which never closes, so you can start early. A few steps inside, Bou Inania Madrasa opens at 9:00, and entry is 20 MAD, according to Malika in Morocco. It closes briefly at prayer times. Then walk down Talaa Kebira, the main street through the souks.
Afternoon: Nejjarine, Al Attarine, the Tannery and Seffarine
Stop at the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts (10:00–17:00, 30 MAD), then continue to Al Attarine Madrasa (20 MAD) next to the Qarawiyyin Mosque, which non-Muslims can see only through its doors. From there, a short walk leads to the Chouara tannery, seen from the terraces of the leather shops. There is no ticket, but a tip is expected unless you buy something.
Finish at Seffarine Square, where metalworkers hammer copper in the open.
Compare guided Fes medina tours on Klook →
Evening: Dinner in Your Riad or on a Rooftop
The medina gets quiet after dark. Rather than navigating unfamiliar lanes at night, have dinner in your riad or at a rooftop restaurant close to it, and leave the deeper lanes for daylight.
Practical tip for day 1: leave the medina by the nearest gate and take a taxi back up to Bab Boujloud if you are tired. The walk back uphill is long.
Day 2: Fes el-Jdid, Dar Batha and the Best Viewpoint
Day 2 of your 3 days in Fes covers the calmer side of the old city and ends with the classic view over the medina.
Morning: Royal Palace Gates, the Mellah and Jnan Sbil
Take a petit taxi to Fes el-Jdid. Start at the brass doors of the Royal Palace, which can only be seen from outside, then walk into the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, home to the Ibn Danan Synagogue, restored and reopened in 1999 according to Wikipedia. Walk back toward Fes el-Bali through Jnan Sbil Gardens, which are free and open from 8:00 to 19:00, according to Malika in Morocco.
Afternoon: Dar Batha and a Hammam or Cooking Class
Visit the Dar Batha Museum of Islamic Arts (10:00–18:00, 60 MAD), near Bab Boujloud. Sources disagree on whether it closes on Monday or Tuesday, so check before you go.
Then choose between a hammam to rest your legs or a Moroccan cooking class.
Compare Fes cooking classes and hammams on Klook →
Evening: Sunset at Borj Nord
Take a taxi up to Borj Nord, whose Museum of Arms costs 20 MAD, for the best view over the medina at sunset. The nearby Merenid Tombs were closed during an April 2025 visit, according to Malika in Morocco, so check access and avoid the area after dark.
Practical tip for day 2: agree the taxi fare or ask for the meter before you set off. Fes petit taxis are red, carry up to three passengers and add 50% after 8pm, according to Frommer’s.
Day 3: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes
On the last of your 3 days in Fes, leave the city for two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Volubilis: founded in the 3rd century BC as the capital of Mauretania and later an important Roman outpost, listed by UNESCO in 1997.
- Moulay Idriss: the hilltop holy town right next to Volubilis.
- Meknes: the imperial city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century, with high walls and nine monumental gates, listed by UNESCO in 1996.
The easiest way is a day tour with hotel pickup. A typical tour lasts about 8 hours, and one listing on Headout notes Volubilis entry at about €10. Check whether entry fees are included before you book.
Compare Volubilis and Meknes day trips on Klook →
Prefer to stay in Fes? Use day 3 for a pottery and zellige workshop, a second walk through the souks at your own pace, or the hot springs of Moulay Yacoub, about 25 minutes away according to Kimkim.
One of the most memorable parts of spending three days in Fes is seeing how different each day feels. The first day takes you into the lively maze of the old medina, where traditional craftsmen, colorful souks and historic madrasas reveal the city’s character. Day two offers a quieter atmosphere, especially when you watch the sunset over the medina from Borj Nord. But the highlight of the trip is often day three, when the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis and the hilltop town of Moulay Idriss show you another side of Morocco. My advice is to avoid rushing between stops and leave enough time to enjoy the small moments along the way.
How to Adjust This Fes Itinerary
- On a Friday: religious sites close for longer around midday prayers. Do the madrasas in the morning and Fes el-Jdid or the day trip later.
- If Dar Batha is closed: swap it with the Nejjarine Museum or move it to another day.
- In summer: July and August average highs of about 33°C, according to Weather2Travel. Start at opening time and rest in your riad in the early afternoon.
- In winter: expect cool, wetter days, with around nine rainy days a month. Keep the day trip flexible.
- During Ramadan: monuments often keep shorter hours. Sightsee in the morning and enjoy the evenings after sunset.
- If you arrive in the evening: arrange a riad pickup and start day 1 the next morning.
Medina Survival Tips for 3 Days in Fes
- Save your riad on an offline map before you set out.
- Ignore anyone who says a street is closed or a site is “open only today”. It is a common way to lead visitors to shops.
- Ask shopkeepers for directions, not people who approach you.
- Carry small notes for tickets, tips and taxis.
- Wear good shoes. The lanes are steep and often slippery.
How Many Days in Fes?
| Time | What you can see | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Day 1 of this itinerary with a guide | A stopover |
| 2 days | Days 1 and 2 | A short city break |
| 3 days | This full Fes itinerary | First-time visitors |
| 4–5 days | This itinerary plus Chefchaouen or a slower pace | Adding the blue town |
When working out how many days in Fes you need, three is ideal for a first visit. Two days covers the city itself, and the third adds Volubilis and Meknes. For Chefchaouen, plan an extra night rather than a rushed day trip.
What 3 Days in Fes Cost in Entry Fees
- Day 1: 70 MAD (Bou Inania, Nejjarine and Al Attarine), plus a tip at the tannery.
- Day 2: 80 MAD (Dar Batha and Borj Nord).
- Day 3: Volubilis entry, about €10 according to one tour listing, if not included in your tour.
Prices from Malika in Morocco (updated July 2026). Last checked: October 2026. Accommodation, guides and tours make up most of the budget.
Where to Stay for This Itinerary
For 3 days in Fes, the best base is a riad near Bab Boujloud or Batha: day 1 starts at your door, and taxis can reach the gate for days 2 and 3. We compare all the areas in our guide to where to stay in Fes.
Compare riads and hotels in Fes on Klook →
3 Days in Fes: FAQs
Are 3 days in Fes enough?
Yes. 3 days in Fes is enough to see the old medina, Fes el-Jdid and the best viewpoints, and to take a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes. Add a fourth day if you also want Chefchaouen.
Is 2 days in Fes enough?
Two days covers the city itself: follow days 1 and 2 of this itinerary. You will miss Volubilis and Meknes, which need a third day.
Do I need a guide for this Fes itinerary?
A licensed guide is strongly recommended for day 1, when you learn the medina. On day 2 you can explore alone, and day 3 is easiest with a tour that includes transport.
Can I do Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fes?
It is possible but long. Most travelers enjoy Chefchaouen more with an overnight stay, so add it as a fourth day rather than replacing Volubilis.
What is the best order to visit Fes?
Start with Fes el-Bali on day 1 while you are fresh and have a guide, then Fes el-Jdid and the viewpoints on day 2, and the day trip on day 3. Starting at Bab Boujloud means you walk downhill through the medina.
How do I get around during 3 days in Fes?
Walk inside the medina and use petit taxis between the gates, Fes el-Jdid and Borj Nord. Agree the fare or ask for the meter before you set off.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Combine your 3 days in Fes with the rest of Morocco:
- Fes Travel Guide
- How to Get from Fes to Merzouga
- 2 Days in Chefchaouen
- Morocco Travel Guide
- 3 Days in Marrakech Itinerary
- Marrakech Travel Guide
- Best Cities to Visit in Morocco
For more sights to fit into your days, see our guide to the best things to do in Fes.