Fes Travel Guide: Exploring Morocco’s Ancient Imperial City❤️
Fes is not a city you simply visit. It is a city you enter, layer by layer, sound by sound, scent by scent. For many travelers, Fes feels overwhelming at first — and that reaction is completely natural. This Fes travel guide is written to help you move through Morocco’s oldest imperial city with confidence, respect, and curiosity, the same way I guide travelers on the ground.
Fes does not try to be easy. It offers depth instead. If you allow yourself time and patience, it becomes one of the most meaningful places you will experience in Morocco.
Why Visit Fes?
Fes is Morocco’s spiritual and intellectual heart. It is home to the world’s oldest continuously operating university, thousands of artisans, and the largest living medieval city on earth. Unlike other destinations, Fes has not been softened for tourism. Daily life continues exactly where it has for centuries.
This is not a city of spectacle. It is a city of continuity.
Understanding Fes: The City’s Structure
Fes is divided into three main areas, each with a different role.
- Fes el-Bali: The ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Fes el-Jdid: The royal and Jewish quarter
- Ville Nouvelle: The modern city built during the French period
Most visitors spend their time in Fes el-Bali, but understanding the whole city adds valuable context.
When to Visit Fes
Best Time of Year
- Spring (March–May): Ideal temperatures, lively atmosphere
- Autumn (September–November): Warm days, cooler evenings
Summer can be extremely hot, especially inside the medina. Winter is quieter but can be cold at night.
Best Time of Day
Mornings are calm and productive. Afternoons are busy. Evenings are atmospheric but easier with guidance.
How to Get Around Fes
Fes el-Bali is entirely pedestrian. Movement is on foot.
- Wear comfortable, closed shoes
- Expect stairs, slopes, and narrow alleys
- Taxis are used outside the medina only
Getting lost is normal — and often part of the experience.
Where to Stay in Fes
Staying inside the medina transforms your experience.
Riads in Fes el-Bali
Traditional riads offer calm courtyards, rooftop terraces, and direct immersion.
- Best for atmosphere and authenticity
- Often quiet once inside
- Personal service and local advice
Hotels Outside the Medina
More space and easier access, but less immersion.
Choose based on comfort level and travel style.
Things to Do in Fes
Explore Fes el-Bali Medina
The medina is the main reason to visit. It is dense, chaotic, and alive.
Walk slowly. Let the rhythm guide you. Do not rush from sight to sight.
Visit Al Quaraouiyine Area
While non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque, the surrounding streets reveal the city’s spiritual core.
This area has been a center of learning for over a thousand years.
See the Tanneries
The leather tanneries are one of the most famous things to do in Fes. View them from terraces above.
Go in the morning for the clearest light.
Walk Through the Artisan Quarters
Fes is organized by craft: metalworkers, woodcarvers, weavers, and potters.
These are working spaces, not demonstrations.
Visit Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah
The former Jewish quarter tells an important chapter of the city’s history.
The architecture here feels different — more open, more formal.
Panoramic Views from the Hills
Viewpoints above the medina reveal its scale and complexity.
This helps first-time visitors understand what they are navigating.
Food and Dining in Fes
Fes is known for refined Moroccan cuisine.
- Expect slow meals
- Classic dishes are prepared with care
- Dinner often starts early
Street food exists but choose carefully and observe where locals eat.
Cultural Tips Foreigners Should Know
- Dress modestly, especially in the medina
- Greetings are important
- Ask before photographing people
Courtesy opens doors in Fes.
Do’s and Don’ts in Fes
Do
- Hire a local guide for your first day
- Take breaks inside riads or cafés
- Stay patient and curious
Don’t
- Follow strangers offering unsolicited help
- Rush through the medina
- Expect modern convenience everywhere
Local Insights Google Maps Won’t Tell You
Some alleys are dead ends — this is normal.
Early mornings are quieter and more authentic.
The medina changes mood throughout the day.
How Long Should You Stay in Fes?
Two days allow basic exploration. Three days allow understanding.
Fes reveals itself slowly.
Is Fes Difficult for First-Time Visitors?
Yes — and that is part of its value.
With preparation and patience, Fes becomes one of the most rewarding cities in Morocco.
Final Thoughts on the Fes Travel Guide
This Fes travel guide is not about mastering the city. It is about letting the city teach you.
The true things to do in Fes are not limited to monuments. They are moments: a craftsman at work, a call to prayer echoing through stone, a quiet courtyard after noise.
Fes does not adapt to visitors. Visitors adapt to Fes — and those who do leave with something deeper than memories.
If you give Fes your time and attention, it gives you history that is still alive.
