Where to Stay in Fes: 5 Best Areas (2026)

Where to stay in Fes, in short: for a first visit, stay in a riad in Fes el-Bali near Bab Boujloud or Batha, where taxis can reach the gate and the main streets start. Choose the central medina near Bab Rcif for the deepest atmosphere, Fes el-Jdid for easier car access, the northern hills for views, and the Ville Nouvelle for modern hotels, pools and the train station.

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Deciding where to stay in Fes matters more than in most cities. Fes el-Bali has more than 9,500 alleys, mostly reachable only on foot, according to Frommer’s, so the wrong riad can mean a long walk with your luggage every time you come and go. This guide compares the five best areas to stay in Fes side by side, with car access, price levels and who each area suits. It is part of our Fes travel guide.

Where to Stay in Fes: Quick Answer by Travel Style

First-time visitors: Fes el-Bali near Bab Boujloud or Batha
Couples and atmosphere seekers: a riad in the central medina
Families, drivers and heavy luggage: Fes el-Jdid or the Ville Nouvelle
Views and quiet nights: the northern hills
Train travelers and pool lovers: the Ville Nouvelle
Limited mobility: a hotel with a lift in the Ville Nouvelle

Best Areas to Stay in Fes Compared

Area	Best for	Car access	To the main sights	Watch out for
Bab Boujloud and Batha	First visits	Taxis to the gate	On foot	Busiest gate, touts
Central medina	Atmosphere, riads	Via Bab Rcif or Bab Guissa, then a walk	On foot	Hard to find, luggage on foot
Fes el-Jdid and Mellah	Cars, families	Yes	About 20 min walk to the tanneries	Fewer places to stay
Northern hills	Views, quiet	Yes	Steep walk or taxi	Need a taxi for outings
Ville Nouvelle	Trains, pools, lifts	Yes	About 10 min by taxi	Little historic atmosphere

Car access and distances from Frommer’s and Avygeo’s October 2026 Fes guide. Times are approximate.

Map of the Best Areas to Stay in Fes

Use the map to see where to stay in Fes relative to the sights, the station and the airport. Pins mark the general area, not exact boundaries.

Fes Accommodation Prices

Type	Typical price per night
Hostel dorm bed	About $12–17
Guesthouse (dar)	About $45–90
Riad	About $101–180
Medina palace	About $290–340
Ville Nouvelle hotel	About $51–146

Price ranges from Avygeo (updated October 2026). Rates vary by season, so check live prices for your dates.

1. Bab Boujloud and Batha: Best Area to Stay in Fes for First-Timers

The upper edge of Fes el-Bali, around Bab Boujloud and Batha, is the easiest answer to where to stay in Fes on a first trip. Bab Boujloud gets the most pedestrian traffic because it leads into the two main lanes, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira, according to Frommer's. Taxis can drop you at the gate, Bou Inania Madrasa and Dar Batha are a few minutes away, and you can walk downhill into the medina and take a taxi back up.

Bab Boujloud gate and Batha area in Fes Morocco

Best for: first visits, short stays, travelers who want easy taxi access.
Not for: travelers looking for the quietest lanes.

Where to look: Riad Tizwa in Batha is a good-value riad with roof-terrace views, according to The Hotel Guru. On a budget, Funky Fes is a popular hostel recommended by both Avygeo and Travelling King.

Compare riads near Bab Boujloud on Klook →

2. The Central Medina: Best for Atmosphere

Deeper in Fes el-Bali, around the Qarawiyyin, Seffarine Square and the tanneries, is where to stay in Fes if you want to wake up in the heart of the medina. Place Bab Rcif is one of only two medina squares reachable by car, according to Frommer's, and taxis also go to Bab Guissa and the Oued Zhoun access road, so choose a riad close to one of these points.

Traditional streets and riads in the central Fes el-Bali Medina

Best for: couples, second visits, travelers who want the full medina experience.
Not for: travelers with limited mobility or lots of luggage.

Where to look: Riad Laaroussa, a small riad with a popular hammam, and Dar Bensouda both appear among the top-rated medina stays in Avygeo's guide. For a splurge, Palais Amani is a 17th-century palace with a hammam and spa, according to The Hotel Guru, and Riad Fes is a Relais & Châteaux property, according to Avygeo.

Compare riads in the Fes medina on Klook →

3. Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah: Best for Cars and Families

Fes el-Jdid, the 13th-century "new" medina with the Royal Palace and the Mellah, has taxi access and car parks, which makes it a practical choice of where to stay in Fes for families and drivers, according to Avygeo. The trade-off is fewer places to stay and a walk of about 20 minutes to the tanneries. Jnan Sbil Gardens are on your doorstep.

Royal Palace gates in the historic Fes el-Jdid district Morocco

Where to Stay in Fes el-Jdid

Riad Jnan Sbil
Palais Medina Riad Resort
Barceló Fès Medina

Best for: families, road-trippers, travelers with heavy luggage.
Not for: travelers who want the souks outside their door.

4. The Northern Hills: Best for Views

The hills near Borj Nord and the Merenid Tombs give panoramic views over the medina and quiet nights. The downside is a steep walk, so you will need a taxi for most outings. Les Mérinides is the main hotel here, according to Avygeo.

Best for: views, quiet, travelers with a car.
Not for: travelers who want to walk everywhere.

5. Ville Nouvelle: Best for Trains, Pools and Modern Hotels

The French-designed Ville Nouvelle is centered on Avenue Hassan II and Boulevard Mohammed V and has most of the city's hotels, restaurants and banks, according to Frommer's. If you are deciding where to stay in Fes around train travel, this is the area: the station is here, and the medina is about 10 minutes away by taxi. Frommer's notes that a daytime petit taxi from the Ville Nouvelle to the medina should usually cost no more than 20 MAD.

Avenue Hassan II in the modern Ville Nouvelle district of Fes Morocco

Best for: train arrivals, families, travelers who want a pool or a lift.
Not for: travelers who came for medina atmosphere.

Where to look: the Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace is recommended by Avygeo, Destinationless Travel and Travelling King. Hotel Sahrai, a luxury hotel with an infinity pool and spa according to The Hotel Guru, sits on a hillside overlooking the medina. On a budget, Ibis Fes is a simple chain option in the new town, according to Avygeo.

Compare hotels in the Ville Nouvelle on Klook →

Hotel names are starting points for your search. Rates and reviews change, so check recent guest reviews before you book.

Where to Stay in Fes for Every Type of Trip

First visit: for most people asking where to stay in Fes on a first trip, the answer is a riad near Bab Boujloud or Batha.
Couples: a small riad in the central medina with a roof terrace.
Families: Fes el-Jdid or a Ville Nouvelle hotel with a pool. Many riads have steep stairs and open courtyards.
Budget: a hostel or guesthouse in the upper medina, where you also save on taxis.
Luxury: a palace riad in the central medina, or Hotel Sahrai for a pool and views.
Limited mobility: the Ville Nouvelle, where the best answer to where to stay in Fes is a hotel with a lift and a car to the door.

7 Things to Check Before Booking a Riad in Fes

Traditional Moroccan riad courtyard with zellige tiles and carved cedar in Fes

The nearest gate or car point. Ask whether it is Bab Boujloud, Bab Rcif, Bab Guissa or another access point, and how long the walk is from there.
Pickup. Frommer's warns that taxi drivers may not know your riad, and recommends arranging a pickup. Riads often arrange airport transfers, which Frommer's puts at around 220 MAD.
Luggage. With no cars in the lanes, bags are moved by handcart, according to Avygeo. Agree any porter fee in advance.
Heating. Fes is cool and wet in winter, with lows around 5°C, so check that rooms are heated.
Stairs. Most riads have no lift. Ask for a lower floor if needed.
Review numbers. Prefer riads with plenty of recent reviews. Small riads change quickly when managers change.
Arrival time. Arrange to be met if you arrive after dark, when the lanes are quiet and hard to navigate.

Arrival tip: before you set off, ask your riad to send a pin of its door and a photo of the entrance, and save both on your phone. Many riads have only a small plaque or no sign at all, so the photo helps far more than an address.

Getting From the Airport or Station to Your Area

Fes-Saïss Airport is about 15 km from the city. Bus 16 is the cheapest option, and a fixed-price taxi costs about 120 MAD, according to Malika in Morocco. From the train station in the Ville Nouvelle, a petit taxi takes you to the medina gates in about 10 minutes. Petit taxis in Fes are red, carry up to three passengers and add 50% after 8pm, according to Frommer's.

Compare Fes airport transfers on Klook →

Where to Stay in Fes: FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Fes?

For most first-time visitors, the best area to stay in Fes is Fes el-Bali near Bab Boujloud or Batha, because taxis reach the gate and the main sights are on foot. The Ville Nouvelle is better for families, train travelers and anyone who needs a lift.

Is it better to stay in the medina or the Ville Nouvelle?

Stay in the medina for atmosphere and walking access to the sights. Stay in the Ville Nouvelle for modern hotels, pools, car access and the train station. If you cannot decide where to stay in Fes, split your stay between the two.

Can taxis reach riads in the Fes medina?

Usually not to the door. Taxis stop at gates and car points such as Bab Boujloud, Place Bab Rcif and Bab Guissa, and you walk the rest. Ask your riad to meet you there.

How much does a riad in Fes cost?

Avygeo puts typical riad prices at about $101–180 a night, guesthouses at about $45–90 and medina palaces at about $290–340. Hostel beds start at about $12.

Where should families stay in Fes?

When families ask where to stay in Fes, Fes el-Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle are usually easier, with car access and larger rooms. If you choose a medina riad, check for stairs and open rooftops first.

Is it safe to stay in the Fes medina?

Yes, for most visitors. The main issues are unofficial guides and getting lost. Arrange a pickup for your first arrival, save your riad on an offline map and avoid empty lanes late at night.

Plan the Rest of Your Trip

Once you know where to stay in Fes, these guides will help with the rest of your Morocco trip:

To fill your days, see our guide to the best things to do in Fes and our 3 days in Fes itinerary.

Compare riads and hotels in Fes on Klook →

Where to Stay in Fes: 5 Best Areas for Every Traveler (2026)