Best Things to Do in Fes, Morocco — First-Time Visitor's Guide

Best Things to Do in Fes, Morocco — First-Time Visitor's Guide

Fes, the soul of Morocco.

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Fes is not Marrakech with a different colour scheme. It is fundamentally different. Where Marrakech opens itself to tourism, Fes makes you work for its rewards. The medina — Fes el-Bali — is the world's largest car-free urban area: over 9,000 narrow alleyways, 360 mosques, and a continuous history of craftsmanship that has not stopped since the 9th century.

This guide covers the essential things to do in Fes for a first-time visit. It assumes you already have a cultural context (covered in our Fes Cultural Travel Guide), know where to eat (Best Restaurants in Fes), where to shop (Fes Shopping Guide), and where to stay (Where to Stay in Fes). Here, we focus on what to actually see and do.

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1. Watch the Tanneries in Action 🧵

The Chouara Tannery is the reason many people come to Fes. It is the oldest tannery in Morocco — operating since the 11th century — and one of the largest in the world. From the surrounding terraces, you watch men standing knee-deep in stone vats filled with coloured dyes: red from poppy, blue from indigo, yellow from saffron, brown from cedar wood.

The process has not changed for a millennium. Raw hides are soaked in a mixture of water, lime, and pigeon droppings to soften them, then dyed naturally, then dried on the rooftop under the Fes sun.

Practical tips:

• Entry to viewing terraces is free, but the leather shops that own the views expect you to buy something or pay a small "entrance fee" (10–20 MAD). This is normal.
• Go in the morning (8:00–10:00 AM) when the dye pits are freshly filled and the light is best for photos.
• You will be given a sprig of fresh mint to hold under your nose. Use it. The smell is intense.
• The best terrace view is at the Leather & Pottery Cooperative on the tannery's south side.
• Time needed: 30–45 minutes.

Not sure if Fes is the right city for you? Try the Morocco City Matcher — it matches you to your ideal city in 30 seconds.

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2. Step into the World's Oldest University 🕌

The University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, is recognised by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world. It predates Bologna, Oxford, and Al-Azhar by centuries.

Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, but you can see the main courtyard and its intricate zellij tilework from the entrance. The library — which holds some of the world's oldest Islamic manuscripts, including a 9th-century Quran — is occasionally open to researchers by appointment.

Practical tips:

• Entrance is through the side door near the Bou Inania Madrasa.
• Best viewed as part of a medina walking tour that starts at the Qaraouiyine Mosque precinct.
• Time needed: 15–20 minutes at the entrance; 1 hour if you arrange a library visit.

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3. Admire the Bou Inania Madrasa 🏛️

The Bou Inania Madrasa (built 1350–1355) is the only religious building in Fes that non-Muslims can enter fully — and it is worth it. This is Merinid architecture at its peak: a central courtyard of white marble and carved stucco, cedar wood ceilings painted in geometric patterns, and a vertical rhythm of zellij tilework that rises in bands of green, white, and blue.

Unlike many restored madrasas in Morocco, Bou Inania functions exactly as it did in the 14th century: students still live and study in the upper rooms. The on-site mosque is still active, so visits are suspended during prayer times.

• Entry: 20 MAD
• Best time: Morning (opens 8:00 AM) or late afternoon (4:00–5:00 PM)
• Time needed: 30 minutes
• Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered (standard for all religious sites in Morocco)

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4. Walk the Entire Talaa Kebira 🚶

Talaa Kebira is the main artery of Fes el-Bali — a 2-kilometer market street that runs from Bab Boujloud (the famous blue gate) to the heart of the medina. Walking its full length takes about 40–60 minutes if you keep moving, but you will not keep moving. The street is a living bazaar: spice mountains, copper beaters, live chickens, textiles, slippers, mint, olives, and the constant call of "balak, balak!" (watch your back) from donkey drivers carrying goods through the narrow lane.

Why do it: This is the most immersive experience in Fes. Unlike a curated museum visit, Talaa Kebira is functional, messy, and completely real. You see how 150,000 people live, work, and trade inside a medieval city every day.

• Start at: Bab Boujloud (the blue/turquoise gate — actually blue on one side and green on the other)
• End at: The Chouara Tannery area
• Time needed: 1–2 hours depending on stops
• Best with: A local guide for the first walk; solo exploration on day two

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5. Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts 🪵

Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century fondouk (merchant inn), the Nejjarine Museum showcases the finest Moroccan woodcarving. The building itself is the exhibit: a multi-story courtyard with carved cedar balconies, painted ceilings, and a central fountain. The collection includes Qur'an stands, jewellery boxes, musical instruments, and intricate doors from across Morocco.

The rooftop café offers one of the best views in the medina — a 360-degree panorama of satellite dishes, minarets, and orange-tiled rooftops stretching to the hills.

• Entry: 20 MAD
• Time needed: 40–60 minutes
• Best time: Late afternoon, end at the rooftop café for sunset

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6. Enter the Royal Palace Gates (from Outside) 👑

The Royal Palace of Fes (Dar el-Makhzen) is closed to the public, but the brass gates are spectacular enough to warrant the visit. Seven massive doors of golden brass, intricately engraved with geometric patterns, set into beautifully carved plaster arches. The scale is deliberately overwhelming — it is meant to convey the power of the monarchy.

The palace is located in Fes el-Jdid (the 13th-century "new city"), about a 15-minute walk from Bab Boujloud. Combine this with a stroll through the Mellah (the old Jewish Quarter), where you will find the Ibn Danan Synagogue and a very different architectural style.

• Entry: Free (exterior only)
• Time needed: 15 minutes for the gates; 30 minutes including the Mellah
• Best with: Morning visit before heading into the medina

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7. Take a Day Trip to the Roman Ruins at Volubilis 🏛️

Volubilis is Morocco's most important Roman archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies about 80 km north of Fes (1 hour by car or grand taxi) and is easily combined with a stop in Meknes or Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.

The site features remarkably preserved mosaics — depicting labours of Hercules, marine scenes, and mythological gods — basilicas, triumphal arches, and the outline of an entire Roman city that once supplied olive oil to the empire.

• Entry: 70 MAD
• Time needed: 1.5–2 hours
• Getting there: Grand taxi from Fes (~250 MAD round trip with waiting time) or guided group tour (~300 MAD per person)
• Best combined with: Meknes (30 min from Volubilis) or Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (15 min)

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8. Watch the Sunset from a Riad Rooftop 🌅

The medina of Fes has no shortage of rooftop terraces, but the experience of watching the sun set from above the ancient walls is something you should not skip. As the call to prayer echoes across the city and the light fades from gold to amber over the tiled rooftops, you understand why Fes is called Morocco's spiritual capital.

Most riads offer rooftop access to guests. For non-guests, many medina restaurants with terraces (particularly near Bab Boujloud and the tanneries) serve mint tea with a view.

• Best time: 30 minutes before sunset (check local sunset time)
• Recommended riads: Any riad in the Fes el-Bali plus a cafe on the Talaa Kebira for non-guests
• Cost: Free if staying in a riad; 10–20 MAD for mint tea elsewhere

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9. Take a Cooking Class 🍳

Fes is Morocco's culinary capital. A cooking class here — properly taught in a family home or a dedicated cooking school — teaches you more than recipes. You learn the logic behind Moroccan cuisine: when to use saffron vs turmeric, why tajine cooks in a cone-shaped pot, how pastilla layers sweet and savoury, and why Fes is famous for its rfissa (a ceremonial chicken and lentil dish served on msemen flatbread).

• Cost: 350–600 MAD per person (includes market visit + cooking + meal)
• Time needed: 3–4 hours (half day)
• Booking: Most riads can arrange a class with a local family. Dedicated schools: Cafe Clock Fes, Dar Pépée
• Best for: Couples, solo travellers, food-focused visitors

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10. Explore Fes el-Jdid (The Jewish Quarter) 🕍

Fes el-Jdid is the quieter, more spacious part of the old city. The Mellah (Jewish Quarter) features the restored Ibn Danan Synagogue, narrow streets with balconied houses (a rarity in Fes, where most homes face inward), and the Jewish Cemetery on a hill overlooking the city.

The Jewish community of Fes was once one of the most influential in the world. The 14th-century Ramban (Nachmanides) taught in Fes. The Ben Attar family printed the first Hebrew book in Morocco here. Today, fewer than 200 Jews remain in Fes, but the Mellah preserves their architectural and cultural legacy.

• Synagogue entry: Free (donation expected, 10–20 MAD)
• Time needed: 45–60 minutes
• Best with: A guide who can explain Fes's Jewish heritage

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Sample Itineraries

One Day in Fes (Quick Visit)

Two Days in Fes (Recommended)

Day 1: Medina immersion — Bab Boujloud, Talaa Kebira, Bou Inania, Chouara, lunch, Nejjarine, rooftop sunset

Day 2: Fes el-Jdid + day trip — Royal Palace, Mellah, Ibn Danan Synagogue, afternoon trip to Volubilis + Meknes (return by 8 PM)

Three Days in Fes (Full Experience)

Add: cooking class, morning photography walk through the Dyers' Quarter, in-depth shopping in Kissariat El Kifah, and a hammam experience.

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Practical Tips for Fes First-Timers

• Get a guide for day one. The medina is genuinely disorienting. A licensed guide (250–400 MAD for half a day) saves you hours of getting lost on your first day. Walk alone on day two.
• Download offline maps. Google Maps works poorly inside Fes el-Bali. Download Maps.me with the Morocco map for usable offline navigation.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk 8–12 km per day on uneven stone surfaces. Closed shoes with grip are essential.
• Learn "la, shukran" (no, thank you). Fes has fewer touts than Marrakech, but shopkeepers will still invite you in. A polite refusal works.
• ATMs are outside the medina. Get cash before entering Bab Boujloud. Inside the medina, ATMs are unreliable and often empty on weekends.
• Don't overplan. The best experiences in Fes happen when you get lost and discover a small cooperative or an unexpected rooftop view. Leave 2–3 hours per day unplanned.
• Use the Trip Cost Calculator to budget your Fes stay — including guide fees, entry tickets, meals, and transport to Volubilis.

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FAQ

1. What is the best time to visit Fes?

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal. Summer (June–August) is hot, especially inland. Winter (December–February) is cool but can be rainy.

2. How many days do I need in Fes?

Two days is the recommended minimum: one day for the medina and key sights, one day for a day trip to Volubilis and Meknes. Three days allows for a more relaxed pace.

3. Is Fes safe for tourists?

Yes. Fes is one of Morocco's safest cities for tourists. The medina is crowded but not dangerous. Standard travel precautions apply — watch your belongings in crowded areas and avoid unlit streets at night.

4. How do I get from Marrakech to Fes?

By train (ONCF, approximately 7 hours), by bus (CTM/Supratours, approximately 6–7 hours), or by domestic flight (Royal Air Maroc, 1 hour). The train is the most comfortable option.

5. Do I need a guide for Fes?

A guide is highly recommended for your first day in the medina. The alleyways are genuinely disorienting, and a licensed guide helps you navigate, access locked sites, and understand the history. Walk alone on day two.

6. What is the entry fee for Bou Inania Madrasa?

Bou Inania Madrasa entry is 20 MAD. It is open daily except during prayer times. Morning (8:00 AM opening) is the best time to visit.

7. Can I visit Volubilis from Fes in one day?

Yes. Volubilis is about 1 hour north of Fes by car. A morning departure allows you to visit the site (1.5–2 hours), stop in Meknes on the way back, and return to Fes by evening.

8. What should I wear in Fes?

Conservative dress is recommended. For women, loose-fitting clothing covering shoulders and knees. For men, long trousers and covered shoulders. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the medina's uneven streets.