The third largest city in Morocco lies nestled between the fertile Saïs plain and the forests of the Middle Atlas.
It is the oldest of the four royal cities of Morocco and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.

With nearly 11,000 maze-like alleys, the Medina of Fès is the largest in the world, making it a true fairytale from 1001 Nights.
Impressive architecture, former Quranic schools, handicrafts, countless shops, fully loaded donkeys, various, sometimes indefinable smells, a mix of voices, and a lot of people await you in Fès.
Get ready for unforgettable impressions in what is probably the most authentic city in Morocco!

In this post, we’ll reveal which sights you shouldn’t miss during your stay in Fès.

SIGHTS IN FÈS

1. BAB RCIF & PLACE RCIF

The entire Medina is surrounded by a historic city wall, with several entrance gates. Our tour started at the eastern city gate Bab Rcif, behind which lies the lively Place Rcif.
On Place Rcif, it’s hard to imagine that behind the adjacent house facades, thousands of narrow, winding alleys are hidden.

2. MEDINA

The city of Fès, with its over 1 million inhabitants, consists of two parts: the New Town and the Old Town (Fès el Bali).
Most people live and work in the economic center, the heart of the city, the Medina.

For Morocco newcomers: Medina in Arabic means old town or city center and cannot be compared with a European old town.
The Medinas in Morocco, especially those in Fès and Marrakech, are labyrinths of seemingly endless alleys.
‍A Souk is a market or an entire market district consisting of countless shops, usually located in the middle of the Medina.

All the major sights are located in the Medina, which makes this district the most interesting for tourists.
To this day, there is no accurate map that shows all the alleys. So, don’t even try to navigate the maze of the old town with Google Maps – it’s pointless!
‍The Medina can only be explored on foot, as the alleys are sometimes so narrow that two people can barely walk side by side.

The unique Medina of Fès has a lot to offer and will captivate you with its fascinating charm.

Our tip: The best investment you can make in Fès is hiring a local guide!
On a guided tour through the Medina, you won’t get lost, you won’t miss any sights, and you’ll receive a lot of information about the city, the country, its people, and culture.
You’ll also get a unique behind-the-scenes look at small shops, such as a traditional bakery where locals bake bread they prepared at home.
Another advantage is that if you want to buy something (which you probably will), your guide will ensure you pay a fair price.
We highly recommend the tour with Hanane.
Instead of the planned four hours, she led us through the Medina for six hours, making sure we missed nothing, catered to our wishes, and negotiated all the prices for us.
During the tour, she asked if we’d like to have a traditional meal – of course, we did! Thanks to her warm invitation, we enjoyed a delicious meal with her family in the evening.

Here you can book the tour: Guided Tour through the Medina & Souks of Fès.

3. SOUKS – MARKETS OF THE MEDINA

Directly behind Place Rcif, the winding alleys of the Souk of Fès begin. At first glance, the entire Medina may seem like one huge Souk, but that’s not the case.
The Souks are thematically organized. Some alleys are filled with fruits and vegetables, spices, clothing, carpets, leather, and shoes, while others are full of handicrafts like wood or ceramics for sale.

We were particularly fascinated by the Place Seffarine, a hidden highlight in the middle of the Medina and a true insider tip. You can hear the hammering noise of the craftsmen from afar.
At Place Seffarine, you can watch workers using ancient traditional methods to craft copper vessels by hand. We found this truly unique!  

If you’re looking for a souvenir for your loved ones or a new favorite piece for your home, the Souks of Fès are the perfect place.
Thanks to Hanane, we bought delicious traditional almond pastries, various leather goods, products made from precious argan oil, and some home decorations.

Compared to Marrakech, not only is the quality of goods better in Fès, but the prices are significantly lower, making shopping in Fès even more worthwhile!

4. AL-ATTARINE MADRASA – FORMER QURANIC SCHOOL

The Al-Attarine Madrasa is a former Quranic school in the heart of the Medina that should not be missed during your sightseeing tour through Fès.

Founded between 1323 and 1325 by Sultan Abu Said Uthman, this UNESCO World Heritage site was in use until the early 20th century.

The unassuming exterior houses several parts: a foyer, a large courtyard with impressive mosaic tiles and elaborately carved cedar wood beams from the Middle Atlas, a beautiful marble fountain in the center, a prayer room facing Mecca, and dormitories for the Quran students on the upper floor.

Regardless of religion, everyone can visit the Madrasa, which is not always the case in Morocco.

The Madrasa is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. The entrance fee is about 2$ per person (as of 2023) and can be purchased on-site.

5. KAIRAOUINE MOSQUE

Another famous building within the Medina is the Kairaouine Mosque, which is part of the oldest university in the Islamic world, founded in the 9th century.

Like most mosques in Morocco, this one can only be visited by Muslims. Tourists must settle for an external view, though the main entrance allows a glimpse into the courtyard with the central fountain for the pre-prayer washing ritual.

From the outside, it’s hard to imagine the vastness of the mosque. Thanks to our guide Hanane, who took us to a rooftop terrace of a nearby tannery, we could see how massive this building is.
The mosque can accommodate 22,000 worshippers, making it one of the largest in Morocco, right in the heart of the Medina – unbelievable!

Once again, we highly recommend visiting the Medina with a local guide. This is the only way to get authentic and detailed information, as well as access to non-public areas.
Here you can book the tour: Guided Tour through the Medina & Souks of Fès.

6. CHOUARA TANNERIES – TANNERY DISTRICT OF FÈS

Despite the strong smells that come with a tannery, the Chouara district is a highlight during your tour through the Medina.
Following ancient traditions, the hides of sheep, goats, cows, and camels are still processed by hand, cleaned, soaked in vats, dyed, and further refined.

The famous view of the tanneries can be seen from the rooftop terraces of nearby leather shops. There is no entry fee.
Most sellers will give you a bunch of fresh mint to mask the smell, hoping you won’t be put off and that you’ll buy a belt, bag, slippers, or a pouf afterward.

FURTHER NOTES & TIPS ABOUT FÈS

HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN FÈS?

Fès is perfect for a city trip, but we recommend giving yourself enough time and not just staying in Fès – Morocco has so much more to offer!
In general, we’d say:

• Stay 1 to 2 nights if you want to see the most famous and important sights within the city.
• Stay 3 nights if you also want to see sights outside the city, such as Meknès or Chefchaouen.

EATING & DRINKING IN FÈS

Tajine and couscous are Morocco's two national dishes, which you shouldn’t miss during your stay!
Tajine is a slow-cooked stew made from meat and fruit, such as lamb with prunes or chicken with lemons and olives.
Couscous (usually semolina) is served with vegetables, meat, and broth, usually on a large plate with various sauces.

Morocco is also known as the land of spices, as almost every main dish is seasoned with flavorful spices like cumin, saffron, parsley, coriander, cinnamon, and ginger.

If you’re a fan of mint tea, you’re in the right place! The most popular drink in Morocco is thé à la menthe (mint tea).

Moroccans drink it with fresh mint leaves (usually spearmint) and lots of sugar.

If you prefer fresh and fruity, don’t miss the freshly squeezed juices from oranges or pomegranates, which you can find almost everywhere in the city.

You can find more information in our post "Morocco: Tips & General Information for Your Dream Trip“.

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT FÈS

Fès can be visited year-round, so the best time to travel depends on your personal preferences.

The months from November to March are ideal for a city trip, with consistently pleasant, mild daytime temperatures.
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During Christmas and the New Year, many travelers from around the world visit the comparatively warm Morocco, making these months, along with the summer, the peak travel season.

From April to October, coastal regions offer perfect weather conditions for a beach holiday, but the high temperatures make city trips less suitable.

We visited Fès just after Christmas, which is a busy period, but still recommend traveling during the off-peak times for a more relaxed experience.
The pleasant daytime temperatures of around 18°C and the continuous sunshine contributed to our wonderful stay in the city.

GETTING TO FÈS

If you don't need to travel during peak holiday periods or weekends, flights are often quite affordable, thanks to budget airlines like Ryanair.

Air France and Air Arabia Maroc also offer nearly daily flights to Fès. Be sure to compare flights on platforms like skyscanner.com to find the best deal.

The average flight time to Fès from major international hubs is typically around 3 hours from Europe, 6-8 hours from North America, and varies further depending on your departure location.

Most travelers can enter Morocco with a valid passport or temporary passport, and all travel documents must remain valid until the end of the trip.

A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days for citizens of many countries, but this varies depending on nationality.
For longer stays or more detailed information, check with your country's embassy or consulate.

From Fès-Saïss Airport, located 17 km away, there are several ways to reach the city center.
The cheapest option is the Airport Shuttle Bus (Line 16), which stops on the left after the terminal exit. The bus runs every hour between 6:00 am and 7:00 pm.

You can also take one of the many taxis in front of the terminal, though taxi drivers often charge exorbitant prices. Always negotiate the fare before getting in.

Another option is to book a taxi in advance through your accommodation. The driver will wait for you with a sign at the terminal and usually take you straight to your accommodation.
If that’s not possible due to the narrow streets, they’ll walk with you to your destination. This is especially recommended for early or late arrivals.

GETTING AROUND IN FÈS

The city center of Fès, the Medina, can only be explored on foot.

Most of the sights are scattered throughout the Medina, so make sure to bring comfortable shoes – you’ll appreciate having them as loyal companions!

If you want to explore sights outside the city center or the outskirts, we recommend taking one of the Petit Taxis.
For more details on taxis, check out our article “Morocco: Tips & General Info for Your Dream Trip”. ‍

Note: If you want to get from the Medina to the airport, you’ll first need to take a Petit Taxi to the train station and then a Grand Taxi to the airport.
Petit Taxis from the Medina don’t go to the airport.
The Grand Taxis are larger cars, better suited for longer distances outside the city center, but they cost a bit more than the Petit Taxis.

CURRENCY & PAYMENT METHODS

The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

The Dirham cannot be brought into or taken out of the country.
We recommend withdrawing cash at ATMs with a credit card instead of exchanging money at airport counters, where the exchange rate is usually worse than in the city.

Most ATMs at major banks like Attijari-wafa, BMCI, or BMCE allow you to withdraw cash with major credit cards.
Check with your bank to see if withdrawing money in Morocco is possible and what fees may apply.

ACCOMMODATION IN FÈS

Fès offers a wide range of hotels and accommodations, making it difficult to choose the right one.
From budget hotels to mid-range hotels, luxury all-inclusive hotels, to family-run Riads, there’s something for every taste.

You’ll also find plenty of self-catering options on platforms like Airbnb or booking.com, offering apartments, holiday homes, hostels, and Riads.

We stayed for 2 nights at Riad Fès Madaw, which we can recommend.

Good to know: While it may sound tempting, we advise against booking accommodation in the heart of the Medina.
The Medina is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, where even Google Maps struggles. Once you’re inside, it’s hard to get out, especially at night and with all your luggage.
‍Our beautiful Riad was located on the edge of the Medina, offering the perfect location for us.

Are you planning a round trip through Morocco? Then our following posts might be of interest to you:

• Exploring Morocco: 2-Week Roadtrip – Route, Tips & Highlights
• Marrakech – Sights, Highlights & Tips
• Morocco: Tips & General Info for Your Dream Trip

Enjoy browsing and planning!

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• Incredible Tours across Morocco
• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• The best Travel Guides for Morocco

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Note: This blog post contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or purchase something through these links, we earn a small commission. There is absolutely no change to the price for you.