Fes Travel Guide 2026: Medina Tips, Best Sights & Where to Stay
Fes travel guide in brief: Fes is Morocco’s spiritual and cultural capital, and its walled medina, Fes el-Bali, is one of the largest car-free historic cities in the world. Plan two to three days, stay in a riad near Bab Boujloud or Batha for easier access, start with a licensed guide on your first morning, and visit in spring or autumn for the most comfortable weather. Fes is about four hours from Casablanca by train and has its own airport, Fes-Saïss.
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Fes is older, quieter and more traditional than Marrakech, and its medina is harder to navigate. This Fes travel guide covers what you need to plan a first visit: how to get there, how the city is laid out, the main sights with 2026 prices and opening hours, where to stay, how to deal with unofficial guides, and how Fes compares with Marrakech. It is part of our Morocco travel guide.
Fes at a Glance
- Best for: history, architecture, crafts and a more traditional medina than Marrakech
- How long to stay: 2–3 days
- Best time to visit: March–May and September–November
- Where to stay: a riad in Fes el-Bali, near Bab Boujloud or Batha
- Getting there: Fes-Saïss Airport (about 15 km) or the train from Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier
- UNESCO: the Medina of Fez has been a World Heritage Site since 1981
- Currency: Moroccan dirham (MAD). Carry cash for sights, taxis and tips
Map of Fes
The map shows the main gates, sights and transport points covered in this Fes travel guide. Tap a pin for details, or open it in Google Maps.
Red = Fes el-Bali (old medina), blue = Fes el-Jdid and around, grey = transport. Pins are approximate.
Fes Travel Guide to the Neighborhoods
Fes has three distinct parts, according to Kimkim's Fes guide:
| Area | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Fes el-Bali | The old walled medina, founded between 789 and 808 according to UNESCO | Riads, sights, souks, atmosphere |
| Fes el-Jdid | The 13th-century "new Fes" with the Royal Palace and the Mellah | A quieter half-day of sightseeing |
| Ville Nouvelle | The modern French-era district with the train station | Modern hotels, cafés, easy taxis |
The Medina of Fez was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981. UNESCO notes that it reached its height in the 13th and 14th centuries under the Marinids, when most of its main monuments were built.
Best Time to Visit Fes
| Season | Avg high / low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | 19–24°C / 7–12°C | Mild and green, the best time for walking |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 28–33°C / 15–18°C | Hot and dry, start early |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 20–30°C / 9–16°C | Warm days, comfortable evenings |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 16–17°C / 5–6°C | Cool and wetter, cold nights |
Long-term averages from Weather2Travel, converted from °F. Fes is cooler and wetter in winter than Marrakech, with around nine to ten rainy days a month from November to April.
In summer, plan your medina walks for the morning and evening; in winter, pack a warm layer, as riads can be cold at night.
How to Get to Fes
By Air
Fes-Saïss Airport is about 15 km from the city center. The cheapest way into town is bus 16, and a fixed-price taxi costs about 120 MAD, according to Malika in Morocco. If your riad is deep in the medina, a riad pickup saves you finding the door on your first evening.
Compare flights to Fes on Aviasales →
By Train
- From Tangier: about 3 hours 25 minutes with the Al Boraq high-speed train and a change at Kenitra, or about 4 hours 13 minutes direct, according to Seat61.
- From Casablanca: about 4 hours, according to Third Eye Traveller.
- From Marrakech: about 8 hours, so many travelers fly or break the journey.
Fes station is in the Ville Nouvelle. A petit taxi to the medina should cost no more than about 50 MAD, according to Malika in Morocco. Check times and book on the official ONCF website.
Getting Around Fes
As any Fes travel guide will tell you, inside Fes el-Bali walking is the only option. The medina is steeper and more confusing than Marrakech's, so allow extra time and wear good shoes. Petit taxis connect the medina gates, Fes el-Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle. Agree a rough price before you get in, even if the taxi has a meter.
- Use the two main streets as your spine: Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira both run downhill from Bab Boujloud toward the Qarawiyyin area.
- Download an offline map and save your riad's location before you set out.
- Ask shopkeepers for directions, not people who approach you on the street.
- Leave by a gate and take a taxi if you get tired, rather than climbing back uphill.
Petit taxis wait at the main medina gates, such as Bab Boujloud, so you never need to walk far to find one.
Top Things to Do in Fes
| Sight | Hours | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Bou Inania Madrasa | 9:00–17:00/18:00 (closes for prayers) | 20 MAD |
| Al Attarine Madrasa | 9:00–18:00 | 20 MAD |
| Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts | 10:00–17:00 | 30 MAD |
| Dar Batha Museum | 10:00–18:00, closed one day a week | 60 MAD |
| Borj Nord (Museum of Arms) | 9:00–18:00 | 20 MAD |
| Jnan Sbil Gardens | 8:00–19:00 | Free |
| Chouara Tannery | From about 9:00 to sunset | Free, tip at the viewing terrace |
Sources: Malika in Morocco's Fes museums guide (updated July 2026) and one-day Fes itinerary. The two give slightly different hours for Bou Inania and different closing days for Dar Batha (Monday or Tuesday), so confirm locally. Prices in this Fes travel guide were last checked in October 2026.
1. Bou Inania Madrasa
Close to Bab Boujloud, this 14th-century Marinid school has some of the finest carved cedar, stucco and zellige in Morocco. It closes briefly during prayer times, and for longer at Friday prayers, so come back after a few minutes if the door is shut.
2. Al Attarine Madrasa and Al Quaraouiyine
Deep in the medina, Al Attarine is a small, richly decorated madrasa next to the Qarawiyyin Mosque, founded in the 9th century according to UNESCO. Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, but you can glimpse its courtyard through the doors.
3. Chouara Tannery
The famous dye pits are seen from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops. Entry is free, but whoever takes you up expects a tip unless you buy something. Be clear if you only want photos. The smell is strong, so you will usually be offered mint leaves.
4. Nejjarine Museum and Square
This museum of wooden arts and crafts sits on Nejjarine Square in the heart of the medina, a short walk from Al Attarine. Entry is 30 MAD.
5. Dar Batha Museum
A 19th-century palace built under Sultan Hassan I, according to Travelling King, now a museum of Islamic arts near Bab Boujloud. DSLR cameras are not allowed, but phone photos are fine, according to Malika in Morocco.
6. Fes el-Jdid: Royal Palace Gates and the Mellah
The brass doors of the Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen) can only be seen from outside. Next door, the Mellah is the historic Jewish quarter, part of Fes el-Jdid.
7. Jnan Sbil Gardens
Between Fes el-Bali and Fes el-Jdid, these free gardens are a calm place to rest after the medina, open from 8:00 to 19:00.
8. Views From Borj Nord and the Merenid Tombs
The hills north of the medina give the best panorama of Fes. Borj Nord houses the Museum of Arms. Malika in Morocco reports that the Merenid Tombs were closed during an April 2025 visit, so check access before you go and avoid the area after dark.
For the full list with tips and a map, see our guide to the best things to do in Fes.
Compare Fes medina tours on Klook →
Should You Hire a Guide in Fes?
The most useful Fes travel guide advice for a first visit: yes, hire one, at least for the first morning. The Fes medina is a maze, and a licensed guide helps you learn the main routes, explains the history and keeps unofficial guides away. Book through your riad or a tour platform rather than accepting offers on the street.
- Agree the length, route and price before you start, including whether shop visits are part of the tour.
- Say no to shopping stops if you don't want them. Guides often earn commission in shops.
- 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.
Your first walk through the Fes medina can feel like stepping into another world. Its narrow lanes, traditional shops and winding passages make exploring on foot part of the experience, but finding your way around can be challenging at first. Start near Bab Boujloud and take your time discovering the main streets rather than trying to visit every attraction at once. One useful tip: download an offline map and save your riad's exact location before leaving. For your first morning, hiring a licensed local guide can also help you understand the medina and explore with greater confidence.
Where to Stay in Fes
For atmosphere, stay in a riad inside Fes el-Bali. Riads near Bab Boujloud or Batha are easier to reach by taxi and close to the main streets. Deeper in the medina is quieter and more authentic, but you will walk further with your luggage. Choose a hotel in the Ville Nouvelle if you want modern rooms, a lift and taxis at the door.
We compare the areas, with named riads and prices, in our guide to where to stay in Fes.
Compare riads and hotels in Fes on Klook →
How Many Days in Fes?
This Fes travel guide recommends two to three days for most travelers: one day for Fes el-Bali with a guide, one for exploring alone and Fes el-Jdid, and an optional third for a day trip. Our 3 days in Fes itinerary plans each day.
Day Trips From Fes
- Volubilis and Meknes: Roman ruins and an imperial city, the classic day trip from Fes.
- Moulay Yacoub: hot springs about 25 minutes from the medina, according to Kimkim.
- Chefchaouen: the blue town is possible as a long day, but better with an overnight stay.
- The Sahara: Merzouga is too far for a day trip. Most desert tours from Fes take at least two nights.
Heading to the desert next? Compare the bus, car and tour options in our guide on how to get from Fes to Merzouga.
Compare day trips and desert tours from Fes on Klook →
Fes vs Marrakech: Which Should You Visit?
| Fes | Marrakech | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Traditional, scholarly, fewer tourists | Lively, busier, more international |
| Medina | Larger, steeper, harder to navigate | Flatter, easier to find your way |
| Highlights | Madrasas, tanneries, crafts | Jemaa el-Fnaa, palaces, gardens |
| Pools and resorts | Fewer | Many, in Hivernage and the Palmeraie |
| Day trips | Volubilis, Meknes, Chefchaouen | Atlas Mountains, Agafay, Essaouira |
If you can, see both: they are very different. Use this Fes travel guide for the north, and plan the south with our Marrakech travel guide.
Is Fes Safe?
Fes is generally safe for visitors. The main annoyances are unofficial guides, hustlers who claim a street is closed, and pressure to buy at the tanneries. Keep valuables out of sight in crowded lanes, use a licensed guide on your first day, and avoid quiet viewpoints and empty lanes after dark.
Fes Travel Guide: Practical Tips
- Start early. The medina is calmest before 10:00, and Bou Inania is quietest at opening time.
- Carry small notes and coins for entry tickets, tips and taxis.
- Dress modestly, especially near mosques and madrasas.
- Expect Friday closures around midday prayers.
- Get mobile data on arrival for offline maps and messages.
Get a Morocco eSIM on Airalo →
Fes Travel Guide: FAQs
Is Fes worth visiting?
Yes. Fes has one of the best-preserved medieval medinas in the Arab world, listed by UNESCO since 1981, with Marinid madrasas, the Chouara tannery and a craft tradition that is still very much alive. It feels more traditional than Marrakech.
How many days do you need in Fes?
Two to three days. Two days covers the medina and Fes el-Jdid, and a third day adds a trip to Volubilis and Meknes.
Do I need a guide in Fes?
It is not required, but a licensed guide for your first morning makes the medina much easier to understand and keeps unofficial guides away. Book through your riad or a tour platform.
How do I get from Fes airport to the medina?
Take bus 16, the cheapest option, or a fixed-price taxi for about 120 MAD, according to Malika in Morocco. The airport is about 15 km from the city.
Is Fes or Marrakech better?
Fes is better for history, crafts and a traditional medina. Marrakech is better for first-timers who want an easier medina, pools and nightlife. Many travelers visit both.
When is the best time to visit Fes?
March to May and September to November, when average highs are around 19–30°C. Summer is hot, and winter is cool and wetter, with cold nights.
Is this Fes travel guide up to date?
Yes. This Fes travel guide was last updated in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and transport schedules change often, especially during Ramadan, so confirm them locally before you go.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
Use this Fes travel guide alongside our other Morocco guides: