Things to Do in Fes
Top 10, unique ideas and local tips from our team Updated October 2026
The best things to do in Fes are inside Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO-listed medina founded more than a thousand years ago and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Donkeys still carry goods through lanes too narrow for cars, craftsmen work in tiny shops and the call to prayer rises from hundreds of mosques. Fez, as many people spell it, is the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco.
The medina is a true maze, so our local guides make the difference on your first day. Below are our top 10 things to do in Fez, four less-known ideas, tips for families and the best months to visit. Two full days is a good start; three lets you add a day trip.
The best things to do in Fes are a guided walk through the Fes el-Bali medina, the Chouara tannery seen from a terrace, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the blue gate of Bab Bou Jeloud and the doors of the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque. End the day at the Merenid tombs viewpoint, and add a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes or the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas.
Top 10 things to do in Fes
Click any idea to see the details.
A guided walk in the Fes el-Bali medinaCraft quarters, fountains and hidden courtyards in the oldest medina of Morocco.Details +
A street-food walk in the medinaBissara soup, msemen, snail broth and sweets with a local guide.Details +
Ifrane and the cedar forests of the Middle AtlasA mountain town with an Alpine look and forests full of macaques.Details +
Unique things to do in Fes
Ideas most visitors miss.
Fes with kids
Things to do in Fez with kids are more fun than parents expect. Children love the donkeys and mules in the lanes, the colours of the tannery, watching craftsmen at work and a pottery workshop where they can try the wheel. Keep medina walks short, plan a break in a riad courtyard and add a day to see the monkeys in the cedar forest near Ifrane.
Best time to visit Fes
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best months for things to do in Fes. Winter is mild by day but cold and sometimes rainy, and riads can be chilly. July and August are very hot in the medina, so visit early and rest in the afternoon.
- JanGood
- FebGood
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunPossible
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepGood
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGood
Getting there & how long to stay
Fes has an airport with flights from several European cities, and trains from Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Marrakech – about 7 hours from Marrakech by train. Many guests arrive on a desert tour from Merzouga or Marrakech. Plan two or three days in Fes.
Local tips for Fes
- Book a licensed guide for the first day – the medina is a real maze.
- Ignore people who offer to show you the way or say a street is closed.
- Many shops in the medina close or open late on Friday, especially around midday prayer.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the lanes are steep, uneven and often slippery.
- Dress modestly in the old city, covering shoulders and knees.
Activities in and around Fes
Moroccan experiencesCultural explorationMorocco Cultural Tours with Local GuidesMoroccan experiencesAuthentic culinary experiencesMorocco Food Tour: Taste Morocco with a LocalLand adventuresHiking & trekking adventuresHiking Morocco: Atlas Treks, Gorges & Sahara WalksMoroccan experiencesResponsible eco travelEco Tourism Morocco: Travel Lightly, Travel Local
Moroccan experiencesWellness and relaxationMorocco Wellness Retreat: Slow Down, Breathe, Restore
Moroccan experiencesFaith & spiritual journeysMorocco Spiritual Tour: Faith, Heritage & SilenceThings to Do in Fes: your questions
What are the best things to do in Fes?
The best things to do in Fes are a guided walk in the Fes el-Bali medina, the Chouara tannery from a terrace, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, Bab Bou Jeloud and the Merenid tombs at sunset. A day trip to Volubilis and Meknes is the classic addition.
What are the best things to see in Fez?
The Chouara tannery, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the doors of the Al-Qarawiyyin, the Royal Palace gates and the view from the Merenid tombs. Out of town, Volubilis has the best Roman ruins in Morocco.
What are things to do in Fes at night?
Most of the medina gets quiet after dark. Have dinner on a riad terrace, join an early-evening food walk or watch the sunset from the Merenid tombs. Walk with a guide or take a taxi late at night, as the lanes are dark and confusing.
What to do in Fez medina?
Walk the main lanes of Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira, visit the madrasas, see the tanneries from a terrace, watch craftsmen in the souks and look into the Al-Qarawiyyin from its doors. A guide helps you find the hidden courtyards and fountains.
What are things to do in Fez with kids?
Children enjoy the donkeys in the lanes, the colourful tannery, a pottery workshop and a day in the cedar forest near Ifrane to see the Barbary macaques. Keep walks short and plan breaks.
Can non-Muslims visit the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque?
No – non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall. You can look in from the open doors, and nearby the Al-Attarine and Bou Inania madrasas are open to all visitors.
What to do in Fez on a Friday?
Friday is the holy day: many shops in the medina close or open late, especially around midday prayer. It is a good day for a trip to Volubilis and Meknes or Ifrane, or for a quieter walk and the Merenid tombs at sunset.
How many days do you need in Fes?
Two full days let you see the medina, the madrasas and the tanneries without rushing. With a third day you can add Volubilis and Meknes or the Middle Atlas.
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