Fes 1 Day Itinerary: The Oldest City in Morocco
Fes is sure to be an eclectic and eventful experience. Being the oldest city in Morocco and once the capital city, Fes is steeped in character and history. On our trip to Morocco, we spent 3 days exploring everything Fes had on offer. We were instantly absorbed by the chaotic personality that Fes exudes, with its tight winding streets filled with artisan stalls to the stench of the large traditional leather tanneries that are all located within the medina walls. We have put together this 1-day itinerary for Fes to help you in exploring all the very best highlights of this incredible city. If you are visiting Fes on a wider Moroccan trip (see our 10-day Morocco itinerary here) or just making a short trip over a weekend, this is the itinerary for you. Fes really is a feast for the senses, and we hope you have an absolutely fascinating 1-day trip.
About Fes
Fes, founded in 789 AD, is one of Morocco’s most iconic cities. It has served as the capital many times throughout the ages, though Rabat now holds that title. Steeped in rich culture and history, the Medina of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the planet’s largest and oldest urban pedestrian zones. Within the sprawling, labyrinthine layout of this historic medina, an estimated 146,000 to 200,000 residents live here, resulting in a remarkably high population density which fuels its chaotic charm. Amid the bustle, the University of al-Qarawiyyin, established in 857 AD, stands as the oldest continuously operating university on Earth.
Where To Stay
When deciding where to stay in Fes, we recommend situating yourself inside or just outside the medina, somewhere reasonably close to the city walls. This way it will be easy to find on your arrival and get your bearings for your time in the city. There are many beautiful hotels, hostels and riads located in Fes.
Moroccan Dream Hostel is our top budget hostel for Fes. A dorm bed costs around €8 per person per night. It has lovely shared spaces and bonus rooftop views over the city!
If you’re not a fan of dorms or are travelling as a couple, we recommend Riad Amimi Fes as a good budget option. They charge €18 for a double room per night and breakfast is included!
Or for an additional €5 per night Dar Berrada also offer standard double rooms and include a Moroccan breakfast in the price.
Both of these are located close to the Bab Jdid gate into the medina (south of the city).
When deciding where to stay, we recommend picking somewhere that has been reviewed by fellow travellers and ideally provides instructions on how to find them from the medina entrance, most accommodations will include this on the booking for you.
Getting Around Fes
Before you arrive at the airport, bus or train station in Fes, we suggest booking yourself a transfer to your accommodation. Taxis will be available on arrival, but you will be expected to haggle for these. After a long journey and a sometimes very exhausting wait at Moroccan customs, it’s a nice relief to see your name on a driver’s sign and hop straight into their car, at an already agreed and clear price.
Once in the city, it is pretty easy to walk around (especially in the Medina where you don’t actually have another option). If you are going further afield, petit taxis are available and can be flagged down very easily. Just make sure to ask for the meter to be switched on immediately or negotiate an amount you’re happy with before you set off. Some drivers like to pretend the meter is broken in order to charge an exorbitant amount later, so make sure this is dealt with before starting your trip. Petit taxis take up to 3 persons, whereas grand taxis can take up to 6 persons but will cost more for the same distance. Note that taxi drivers may pick up other passengers if there are spare seats. This is completely normal here – don’t worry!
InDrive, Morocco’s answer to Uber, is an app that can be downloaded onto any smartphone. The premise is great as you are able to agree on a price in the app (bartering is in their blood!), and once a price is accepted by a driver, they’ll pick you up and take you to your desired location. This works in most of the major cities in Morocco, but it is worth noting that the app is actually unlicensed and the drivers using it are going against the law. You are not doing anything illegal by using the app yourself, but we have experienced first-hand that if you order to be picked up near a taxi rank, taxis will quite often mob the car and shout at you and the driver, not allowing you to get in. We have read lots of stories online of people using the app to get around quite happily, however, there are others that have had similar experiences to us, so we recommend never ordering one near a station, airport or taxi rank if you can help it.
Fes is a fascinating city steeped in history, it is also a hectic and all-encompassing place, where we recommend staying alert of where you are going. In Fes, Google Maps is not the best at showing the medina accurately, so using it more for a general sense of direction is our best tip, but don’t be alarmed if a path isn’t quite where it says – and don’t believe anyone who tells you a road is closed! (More on that in a bit)
Top Tips For Your Trip to Fes
- The best time to visit Fes is between the spring and autumn when the weather is milder, ideally March-May or September-November. The summers often exceed temperatures of 30°C, turning Medina exploration into a sweaty slog!
- Navigating the 9,000+ streets (yes, you read that correctly!) of the Fes medina can feel like a challenge, but it’s made a little simpler by the designs of their street name signs. A square or rectangle sign with the name indicates a street with an exit/through road. A hexagon-shaped sign represents a street with no exit/dead end.
- As Morocco is a Muslim country, make sure to dress modestly when visiting the many majestic mosques and religious sites, with your shoulders and knees.
- Payments are expected in cash for pretty much everything. If withdrawing money when reaching Fes, use the Al Barid cash points as these do not charge a withdrawal fee. Note that the only Al Barid ATM, within the medina itself, is located next to the Al Attarine Madrasa.
- Haggling is expected in the souks, so be prepared to negotiate for the best prices. We suggest initially countering to around 25%-30% of the offered price, before incrementally working towards an agreement.
- Learn a few basic phrases in Arabic before you go. This will help you communicate with locals and get around the city. ‘Salam alaikum’ (or just ‘Salam’) for a friendly ‘Hello’, ‘Shukran’ for ‘Thank you,’ and ‘La shukran’ meaning ‘No thank you’, to politely fend off pushy souk vendors.
Potential Scams
- “This way is closed” – This is a commonplace scam in Fes which involves local people telling you places and roads are closed, then offering you directions and expecting payment. Don’t buy it! Stick to your route, politely decline, and just keep walking. If you get stuck or lost, we recommend asking shopkeepers for directions – they’ll usually point you in the right way. Most locals we met in Morocco were lovely and wanted to help, but we experienced a fair amount of misleading information in Fes!
- Unofficial ‘Official’ Guides – Be wary of people approaching you claiming to be “official guides.” Legitimate guides in Morocco carry identification cards issued by the Ministry of Tourism. If someone offers to guide you, you can politely ask them to see their official ID card. Unofficial guides may take you to shops where they receive commissions or charge excessive fees for their services.
- The Photography Fee – At the tanneries or other tourist spots, locals might offer to take you to “the best spot for photos”, then demand cash after. Similarly, craftspeople or shop owners may encourage you to photograph them or their work, only to request money once you’ve taken the picture. In these instances, always ask permission before photographing and clarify if there’s a fee involved.
- Restaurant Bill Padding – Some touristy restaurants may add items that you didn’t order to your bill. Always check your bill carefully before paying and don’t be afraid to question any discrepancies.
For our full guide to backpacking Morocco head here:
Fes 1 Day Itinerary
Morning
Fes is particularly well known for its traditional leather tanning methods. There are various tanneries around the city, and they are very popular for tourists to visit to view the dying of the leather and take pictures of the process. First, animal hides are soaked in large vats filled with a mixture of water, lime, salt, and cow urine to remove hair and flesh. Then a second soak in a solution containing pigeon droppings to soften the leather. The hides are then naturally dyed with indigo, henna, and poppy flower, and dried in the sun. This traditional process is largely done by hand and (as you can probably imagine) does not smell amazing!
There is a lot of differing information online about how to visit these tanneries as there is no set entry fee or price. If you enter through a leather shop, they will usually invite you to view the Tannery, and may or may not ask for a tip in return. We visited the Chouara Tannery through shop #10, but at no point were we asked for a tip or any payment. They showed us their products, we had a look at the tannery itself, took some photographs, and then politely declined to purchase anything and left. However, we have read differing experiences online describing shop owners not allowing people to go until they bought something, so it’s best to be mindful they may expect a small tip.
A & E Recommend: Visit early in the day for epic morning light, fewer tourists and shadow-free photos.
Next, it’s time to explore Fes’ massive maze of a medina! We recommend starting with a visit to Place Seffarine, which is the main square in Fes. Place Seffarine is known for its copper and bronze workers who line the edge of the square, making and selling their products. The chorus of these workers banging on various metal objects rings through the square. Located in one corner of Place Seffarine is Cremerie La Place, the ultimate spot to sit and have a morning coffee while soaking up the atmosphere and watching the craftsmen at work.
From here you are now perfectly placed to pay a visit to Abdullah Thé & Café. This tea veteran has been blending 8 herbs to make his unique mint tea for over 50 years. Abdullah is a very sweet and friendly gentleman who is eager to show you his work, and the tea itself is delicious! Visiting his tea shop is up there with our favourite activities in the whole of Morocco. It can be a bit tricky to find as it is hidden away off the street and up some steep stairs, and does not look like the entrance to a cafe! But we promise that it is worth it.
Afternoon
The Fes medina has two main streets: Talaa Kbira and Talaa Sghira. Start with Talaa Kbira, stopping at Al Attarine Madrasa on the way. Madrasas are Islamic educational institutions, this madrasa is one of the most important spiritual centres in Fes and is an absolutely breathtaking example of intricate Moroccan architecture. There is a small entry fee, but it’s well worth it!
In the same area, you will find Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II, another stunning Moroccan building. This one is a mausoleum and only accessible to Muslim visitors, but the gorgeous exterior can still be enjoyed by non-Muslims.
Keep heading along Talaa Kbira and you will pass many local artisan and Moroccan vendors. Feel free to stop along the way and make any purchases that take your interest – remember you will be expected to haggle for these!
Fancy lunch? Make a stop at La Tarbouche. This place serves delicious Moroccan cuisine at a very good price. We sat outside the front and loved every second, watching the busy world of the medina go by and stroking the stray cats that stopped to say “Salam”.
After lunch, stroll on to Bou Inania Madrasa, another architectural stunner which is open to tourists for a small entrance fee.
Once you reach the end of Talaa Kbira, you will see the iconic Blue Gate. This gate is the grandest entrance to the Fes medina and was built in 1913 by the French during Morocco’s Protectorate. The colour blue represents the city of Fes, which is famous for its cobalt blue pottery. The colour green on the trim signifies Islam. This area is surrounded by many cafes, restaurants and traditional Moroccan snack bars, if you fancy lunch here instead.
Now loop back down through Talaa Sghira to can capture all the Medina’s main shops, stalls and chaos.
Evening
For dinner, head to the Ruined Garden. The restaurant is situated within the ruins of a courtyard house in the ancient imperial city. The traditional Moroccan tagines are incredible here and the setting is magical.
If You Have More Time
Jewish Quarter / Mellah – The Jewish Quarter, also known as the Mellah, was established in the 14th century and offers a fascinating glimpse into Fes’ multicultural past. Walking through its streets, you’ll notice different architecture from the rest of the medina, with balconies facing outward rather than inward courtyards. A highlight in this area is the beautifully restored Ibn Danan Synagogue, one of the oldest in North Africa. The Jewish Quarter is less crowded than other parts of Fes, making it a pleasant place to wander and absorb the city’s diverse heritage.
Royal Palace of Fes & Bab Al Amer – The Royal Palace of Fes (Dar el-Makhzen) is still used by the Moroccan royal family when they visit the city. While the palace interior isn’t open to the public, the magnificent brass doors and intricate tile work at the entrance are well worth seeing. The Bab Al Amer (Royal Gateway) features stunning examples of Moroccan craftsmanship. The plaza in front of the palace makes for a great photo opportunity and provides a moment of calm away from the bustling medina streets.
Borj Sud Viewpoint – For the best panoramic views over Fes, head up to Borj Sud, a 16th-century Saadian fortress perched south of the medina. The fortress itself is worth a look, but the real highlight is the sweeping vista of the entire city below. The ancient medina spread out before you, with its countless minarets, terraces, and satellite dishes creating a mesmerising urban landscape. We recommend visiting around sunset, once the fading light casts a golden glow over the ancient city and the calls to prayer echo from the mosques below. A petit taxi can take you up for around 30-40 dirhams, or you can hike up if you’re feeling up to it.
Cafe Clock – This cultural hub is more than just a cafe; it’s an institution in Fes. Set in a beautifully restored traditional house across multiple levels, Cafe Clock offers delicious locally-influenced food (including their famous camel burger), refreshing drinks and regular cultural events. The rooftop terrace provides amazing views over the medina, while inside you might catch traditional music performances, storytelling nights or cooking classes.
Day Trip from Fes – The below day trip tour is a fantastic way to visit the following sites outside of Fes’ city centre.
- Volubilis is an exceptionally well-preserved ancient Roman city dating back to the 3rd century BC and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Once a thriving Roman provincial capital, Volubilis is now home to Morocco’s best-preserved archaeological site.
- Moulay Idriss is one of Morocco’s most important pilgrimage sites named after the founder of Morocco’s first Islamic dynasty. This sacred Islamic town is stretched across two scenic hills and was closed to non-Muslims until 1912.
- Meknes is one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the capital of Morocco under Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century, Meknes is often called the “Versailles of Morocco” due to its grandeur.
Guided Tour
Fes can feel like an overwhelming place at times and is easy to get lost in. A guided tour is a brilliant way to navigate this iconic city while soaking up its history and vibe all at once. Below are two that we think are perfect options to get an authentic experience, while taking in the atmosphere in the city of Fes.
This 3.5 hour walking tour offers an excellent introduction to Fes with an expert local guide. You’ll explore the main highlights of the medina including the tanneries, madrasas, and artisan quarters.
For foodies that want to experience Fes through its cuisine, this tour is perfect. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll wind through the medina’s narrow streets stopping at food stalls, bakeries, and small restaurants that tourists typically miss, savouring traditional dishes like harira soup, various hearty tagines, sweet pastries, and of course Moroccan mint tea. The tour lasts approximately 5 hours and is a fantastic way to experience authentic Moroccan cuisine while learning about the cultural significance of different foods in Fes.
Beyond Fes
If you have longer in Morocco and wish to venture to more of this incredible country, we have put together a 10-Day Morocco Itinerary including day by day plans for Marrakech, the Sahara Desert and the coastal city of Tangier.
Spending More Than 1 Day in Fes?
If you’re lucky enough to have more days in Fes, you can explore at a more relaxed pace and venture beyond the main medina highlights. Use your first day to follow our core itinerary, focusing on the tanneries and central medina attractions. On your second day, venture to the Jewish Quarter, visit the Borj Sud viewpoint for spectacular city views and perhaps indulge in a traditional hammam experience to soothe your tired muscles after all that walking.
Final Thoughts for 1 Day in Fes
Fes truly is a city like no other, where medieval and modern life coexist in fascinating harmony. The medina can be overwhelming with its maze-like streets and sensory overload, but that’s precisely what makes it so unforgettable. Take time to get lost (safely), chat with locals, sample street food, and absorb the atmosphere of a place that has remained remarkably unchanged for centuries. Remember to approach Fes with patience and an open mind. The vendors can be persistent and navigation challenging, but the rewards—enchanting architecture, delicious cuisine, and glimpses into a traditional way of life—make it all worthwhile. Fes isn’t just a destination; it’s a journey back in time and an experience that will stay with you long after you have returned home.
