Fez Travel Guide: What to See & How to Plan

Fez is Morocco's great historic city of scholarship and craft, best seen over two to three nights: one full day in the old medina of Fes el-Bali, a half day in Fes Jdid and the viewpoints, and an optional day trip to Meknes and Volubilis or the Middle Atlas. Stay in a riad near the medina and plan your route around a few clear interests rather than a long checklist.

Fez (also spelled Fes) grew from the ninth century into an important city of the western Islamic world, home to the Qarawiyyin, one of the oldest continuously operating centers of learning. Unlike many historic cities, its old quarters were never cleared for modern roads, so trade, craft work, and family life still fill the same lanes. The result is a city you experience by walking, listening, and looking closely.

This guide covers the city as a whole: its three main areas, how long to stay, where to base yourself, how to get there, day trips, and how Fez fits into a wider Morocco or Egypt-and-Morocco journey.

The three faces of Fez

Most of your sightseeing time will be spent in Fes el-Bali, but understanding the other two areas helps. Fes Jdid explains how royal power and the city's different communities shaped the town, while the Ville Nouvelle is where you will arrive by train and where many larger hotels are located.

What to see in Fez

The medina of Fes el-Bali

The old medina is the heart of any visit. Enter through Bab Boujloud, the tiled gate on its western edge, and follow the main lanes downhill. Highlights include the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, both 14th-century religious schools with carved cedar, stucco, and tile courtyards that visitors can usually enter; the exterior and doorways of the Qarawiyyin Mosque, which non-Muslims cannot enter; Seffarine Square with its metalworkers; the Chouara Tannery, viewed from surrounding leather shop terraces; and Nejjarine Square with its fountain and museum of wooden crafts. Our separate Fes Medina guide gives a detailed walking route.

Fes Jdid and the Mellah

Fes Jdid was built as a new royal city in the 13th century. Its most photographed sight is the set of large gilded brass doors of the Royal Palace, which you can admire from the square outside, as the palace is not open to the public. Next to it lies the Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, with distinctive houses with outward-facing balconies, a restored synagogue that can often be visited, and a large Jewish cemetery with whitewashed tombs.

Viewpoints over the city

For a good overview, go up to the Marinid Tombs on the hill north of the medina, or to the Borj Nord fortress area nearby. Late afternoon light over the rooftops, minarets, and green tiled roofs can be a memorable sight in Fez, and the call to prayer echoing across the valley adds to it. A view from above also helps you understand the medina's shape before or after walking it.

Museums and craft workshops

Beyond the medina's monuments, ask whether the Batha Museum of arts and crafts is open during your stay, and look for ceramic workshops on the edge of the city where zellige tiles are cut by hand, and cooperatives for weaving and embroidery. Tell your guide which crafts interest you, so visits focus on how things are made rather than only on selling.

How long to stay, where to stay and getting there

• One night: possible, but you will see only the main medina route and will likely feel rushed.
• Two nights: the most common choice, giving a full medina day and time for Fes Jdid and a viewpoint.
• Three nights: best if you want a day trip, a cooking class or simply a slower pace.

Fez rewards slow travel. Walking the lanes is tiring, and many memorable moments, such as a quiet riad courtyard or watching a craftsman at work, come when you are not hurrying to the next sight.

Where to stay

An atmospheric choice is a riad, a traditional house built around an inner courtyard, inside or near the medina. Many have been restored as small guesthouses with roof terraces. Staying inside lets you see the medina early and late, when it is quieter, but remember that cars cannot reach most addresses, so porters often carry luggage from the nearest gate.

Hotels in the Ville Nouvelle or on the hills around the medina are easier for drop-offs and may suit travelers with mobility needs. Whichever you choose, confirm how far the property is from the nearest gate where a car can stop.

Getting to Fez

Fez has its own international airport, with connections from several European cities and domestic flights. Many travelers arrive from Casablanca or Rabat by train, which is comfortable and straightforward, or by private car as part of a wider circuit. Travelers combining Egypt and Morocco usually fly from Cairo to Casablanca and continue to Fez by train or a short domestic flight. Check current schedules close to booking, as routes change by season.

Day trips from Fez

Meknes and Volubilis

Meknes, another imperial city about an hour away, is known for its monumental gates and the legacy of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Nearby Volubilis is a Roman site with well-preserved mosaics set in open countryside, and the hilltop town of Moulay Idriss sits close by. This is a popular day trip and pairs history with good scenery.

The Middle Atlas

To the south, the Middle Atlas offers cedar forests, the alpine-style town of Ifrane and, in some areas, Barbary macaques in the woods. It is a refreshing contrast to the medina, especially in warmer months.

On the way to the Sahara or Chefchaouen

Fez is a common starting point for journeys south over the Atlas to the Sahara dunes near Merzouga, and some travelers drive north to the blue-washed town of Chefchaouen. Both are long drives, so treat them as onward routes rather than same-day returns.

When to go and how Fez fits a wider trip

Seasons and Ramadan

Spring and fall are comfortable seasons for walking. Summer can be very hot, especially in the enclosed lanes, while winter brings cool days and some rain. During Ramadan, daytime life is quieter and some restaurants close until evening, while nights are lively. Exact Ramadan dates move with the lunar calendar each year, so check before you book.

Combining Fez with Marrakesh or Egypt

Fez works well as the heritage-focused part of a Morocco circuit that also includes Marrakesh, the Atlas Mountains and perhaps the desert. Marrakesh is livelier and more open; Fez is denser and more traditional. Seeing both gives a richer picture than either alone. If you are combining Morocco with Egypt, Fez also makes an interesting comparison with Islamic Cairo, as both cities grew around great mosques, schools, and markets.

Practical tips

• Book a licensed guide for your first medina day to avoid unofficial helpers.
• Agree on pickup and drop-off gates in advance, as cars cannot enter most of the medina.
• Carry small cash for snacks, tips, and small purchases.
• Dress modestly and ask before photographing people.
• Check current hours and tickets for madrasas and museums through official sources.
• Wear comfortable shoes for steep, uneven lanes.

Frequently asked questions

What is Fez known for?

Fez is known for its vast car-free medina, the historic Qarawiyyin, Marinid madrasas, leather tanneries, and craft traditions in metal, wood, tile, and textiles. It is often described as Morocco's spiritual and cultural capital.

How many days do I need in Fez?

Two nights is the most common choice, giving a full medina day and time for Fes Jdid and a viewpoint. Add a third night for a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis or a slower pace.

Is it better to stay inside the medina?

Staying in a riad inside the medina gives more atmosphere and early access to quiet lanes. A hotel outside is easier for car access and may suit travelers with mobility needs.

Is Fez or Marrakesh better?

They are different rather than better or worse. Fez is more traditional and dense, with a stronger focus on scholarship and craft, while Marrakesh is livelier and more open; many itineraries include both.

How do I get from Cairo to Fez?

Most travelers fly from Cairo to Casablanca and continue to Fez by train or a short domestic flight. Schedules change, so check current options when booking.

Plan it with Nourbelle

If you would like Fez as part of a Morocco or Egypt-and-Morocco journey, tell us what interests you and a specialist will suggest a route and pace.