Fes or Chefchaouen: Which City to Choose?
Both in northern Morocco, Fes and Chefchaouen offer opposite experiences: the country's largest medina, dense and intense, and a small, calm blue town at the foot of the Rif mountains. Here is how to choose.
Choose Fes for culture and history: its Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, is one of the largest car-free areas in the world, with the Chouara tanneries, Marinid madrasas and craft workshops. Allow 2 to 3 days. Choose Chefchaouen for calm and photography: a small medina of blue lanes, a relaxed atmosphere and hiking in the Rif, notably to the Akchour waterfalls. 1 to 2 days are enough. The two cities are about 200 km apart, or 3 to 3.5 hours by road: a Fes-Chefchaouen day trip exists (from €17, 4.6/5 from over 3,300 reviews), but it leaves little time there. Ideally, sleep one night in Chefchaouen, then continue to Tangier or return to Fes.
At a Glance
| Criterion | Fes | Chefchaouen |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Dense, intense, historic | Calm, relaxed, mountain town |
| Medina | Huge, maze-like, UNESCO | Small, easy to explore |
| Highlights | Tanneries, madrasas, Karaouiyine | Blue lanes, Outa el-Hammam square, Akchour |
| Nature | Trips to the Middle Atlas | Hiking in the Rif on the doorstep |
| Photography | Tanneries and medina rooftops | Blue lanes, morning light |
| Suggested stay | 2-3 days | 1-2 days |
| Access | Airport and train station | Bus or car, no train station |
The Medina
Fes's medina is total immersion: you need a guide on day one to find your way. Chefchaouen's can be explored in a few hours, stress-free. See what to do in Fes and what to do in Chefchaouen.
Tours to Book
| Tour | City | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chefchaouen day trip from Fes | From Fes | 4.6 | 3336 | Full day | €17 |
| Medina walking tour with a local guide | Fes | 4.7 | 1538 | 3 h | €9 |
| Chefchaouen hidden gems with mint tea | Chefchaouen | 4.8 | 163 | 3 h | €21 |
| Akchour waterfalls and God's Bridge | Chefchaouen | 4.8 | 110 | 6-8 h | €46 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they vary with the season.
See tours in Fes· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
See activities in Chefchaouen· GetYourGuideFree cancellation up to 24h before on most activities · the best time slots sell out first in high seasonReserve now, pay later on many activities
Doing Both
The most comfortable plan: 2 days in Fes, then the road to Chefchaouen for one or two nights, before heading on to Tangier. See the Chefchaouen day trip from Fes, Chefchaouen in 2 days and northern Morocco in 7 days.
Where to Stay
In Fes, a riad in Fes el-Bali; in Chefchaouen, a guesthouse in the blue medina. See where to stay in Fes and the best riads in Chefchaouen.
See riads in Fes· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Our Verdict
| Your profile | Our pick |
|---|---|
| History, crafts, monuments | Fes |
| Calm and photography | Chefchaouen |
| Hiking | Chefchaouen |
| First trip, short on time | Fes (and Chefchaouen if possible) |
| Northern route to Tangier | Both |
FAQ — Fes or Chefchaouen
Fes or Chefchaouen: which should you visit first?
How long is the drive between Fes and Chefchaouen?
Can you visit Chefchaouen from Fes in one day?
How many days in Fes and Chefchaouen?
Is there a train to Chefchaouen?
In Short
- Fes → UNESCO medina, history, crafts.
- Chefchaouen → blue lanes, calm, the Rif.
- Both → about 3.5 hours by road, one night in Chefchaouen.
