What to Do in Fes: Sights, Medina and Local Experiences 2026

Fes, Morocco's spiritual capital and oldest imperial city, hosts the largest inhabited UNESCO medina in the world. Two to three days are needed to explore its essentials: thousand-year-old tanneries, Merinid madrasas, historic mosques, artisan workshops passed down through generations. This guide gathers the 20 experiences that genuinely earn your time, with practical tips and common mistakes to avoid.

1. The unmissable monuments of Fes el-Bali

Bou Inania Madrasa

Built in the 14th century by Merinid sultan Abu Inan Faris, Bou Inania madrasa is one of the masterpieces of Moroccan architecture: polychrome zellige tiles, carved cedar ceilings, Arabic calligraphy, central fountain. Open to non-Muslims, unlike many mosques. Go early (9am) to avoid groups.

Plan: 1-1.5h visit. Entry 20-30 MAD depending on season.

Attarine Madrasa

Smaller than Bou Inania but often considered more refined by purists. Beautifully restored central courtyard, fine mosaics, intimate atmosphere. Located in the perfumers' quarter (Souk Attarine).

Karaouiyne Mosque

The oldest continuously operating university in the world (founded 859). Exterior visit only for non-Muslims, but you can observe the monumental doors and glimpse the courtyard from neighboring alleys. Several cafés and terraces offer interesting photo angles.

Nejjarine Fountain and Wood Museum

The Nejjarine fountain (18th century) is one of the medina's most beautiful public fountains, with cedar woodwork and zellige tiles. Next door, the Funduq Nejjarine houses the wood and crafts museum (antique doors, ceilings, instruments).

Bab Boujloud

The iconic blue gate marking the main tourist entrance to Fes el-Bali. Blue on the outside, green on the inside (color of Islam). Many cafés nearby to watch medina life flow in and out.

R'cif Square and Bab R'cif

The medina's south entrance, accessible by car. More popular, less touristy. It's the practical drop-off if you arrive by taxi avoiding crowded Bab Boujloud.

Private guided Fes medina tour (½ day)· GetYourGuide

See options on Viator· Viator

2. Tanneries and craftsmanship

Chouara Tanneries

This is Fes's iconic image: huge colored vats where leather is treated using medieval methods. A major tourist activity, absolutely worth seeing.

How to visit:

• Approach via the Souk Chouara streets
• Neighboring leather shops let you up on their terraces to photograph (10-20 MAD tip)
• You'll get a sprig of mint to hold to your nose: tannery odor is strong, especially in summer
• Visit lasts 15-30 min depending on your photo pace

Required purchase? The shops hope you'll buy leather. Not mandatory — but a chance to compare quality (bag, belt, leather pouf).

Pottery and Zellige Workshops

The Aïn Nokbi quarter (outside the medina) hosts traditional pottery and zellige (Moroccan mosaic) workshops. Visits with demonstrations: throwing, drying, firing, painting, zellige cutting. Excellent for understanding craftsmanship before buying.

Souks by Specialty

The medina is organized by trade:

• Souk Attarine: spices and perfumers
• Souk Cherratine: leather
• Souk Henna: henna, black soap, traditional cosmetics
• Souk Saffarine: copperware
• Seffarine Square: metal artisans at the rhythm of hammers
• Souk Chouara: tanneries

Shopping tip: negotiation is expected. Start at 30-40% of the first asking price.

3. Beyond the medina

Fes Jdid

Built in the 13th century by the Merinids, Fes Jdid hosts:

• The Mellah: former Jewish quarter with distinctive balconies and Ibn Danan synagogue (paid visit 20 MAD)
• The Royal Palace gates (Dar el-Makhzen): seven monumental bronze gates, photos only from outside
• The Bou Jeloud gardens: peaceful green space
• Alaouites Square: modern tilework, viewpoint over the royal gates

Borj Nord and Merinid Tombs

For the best panoramic view of Fes el-Bali, climb Borj Nord (Saadian fortress, housing the arms museum) or the Merinid Tombs (romantic ruins on the north hill). Best at late afternoon for golden light.

Borj Sud

Less visited, south of the medina. Offers the other view angle over the medina.

New City (Dar Dbibegh)

Hassan II Avenue and the French-protectorate avenues feature interesting art deco architecture but lower tourist priority than the medina.

4. Local experiences

Traditional Cooking Class

Several riads and culinary schools organize classes to prepare pastilla, tagine, couscous. Plan €50-90 for a half-day including spice market, preparation and tasting.

Moroccan cooking class in Fes· GetYourGuide

Traditional Hammam or Spa

Two options:

• Neighborhood hammam: 15-30 MAD entry + your own black soap and kessa glove. Mixed but men/women separate spaces. Raw, popular experience.
• Spa hammam: €40-90 for a 2h full ritual (scrub, rhassoul mask, massage). More comfortable. Addresses: Palais Faraj, Riad Salam, Spa Laaroussa.

Arabic Calligraphy Workshop

1-2h sessions with local master calligraphers. Beautiful personalized souvenir (your first name in ancient Arabic).

Fassi Cuisine Tasting

Fes cuisine is considered the most refined in Morocco. Specialties to try:

• Pigeon pastilla or seafood version
• Lamb tagine with prunes and almonds
• Tfaya couscous (raisins, candied onions)
• Mssemen and beghrir for breakfast
• Briouates (savory or sweet pastries)

Renowned gastronomic restaurants: Palais Faraj, Numéro 7, Le Restaurant du Riad Fes.

Sacred Music Festival of the World

Annually in June since 1994, this festival draws artists worldwide: Sufi music, liturgical chants, sacred music of India, Africa, Asia. Free programming at Bab Boujloud + paid concerts in smaller venues.

5. Day-trips

Volubilis + Meknes

The classic must-do:

• Volubilis (UNESCO): Morocco's only well-preserved Roman ruins. Exceptional mosaics, basilica, Caracalla arch. Plan 1.5-2h.
• Meknes: Ismaïl's imperial city, immense Bab Mansour gate, Heri Souani (granaries), UNESCO medina. 2-3h visit.

Distance: Fes → Volubilis 75 km (1h15), Volubilis → Meknes 30 km (40 min), Meknes → Fes 60 km (1h). Typically an 8-10h day-trip.

Volubilis + Meknes day-trip from Fes· Viator

See GetYourGuide options· GetYourGuide

Middle Atlas (Ifrane and Cedars)

Ifrane, nicknamed "Morocco's little Switzerland", is a temperate-climate altitude station. Centuries-old cedar forests host Barbary macaques (protected species). With luck, snow in winter. 1-1.5h from Fes.

Chefchaouen Day-trip

Possible but long: 4h drive each way. Better to spend 1 minimum night if you want to photograph the blue pearl.

Sefrou

Small medina town 30 km south of Fes, UNESCO-listed for its lesser-known architectural heritage. Peaceful atmosphere, cherry festival in June. Short day-trip possible.

Profile-based programs

Indicative daily budget

• Monument visits: €10-25/day
• Volubilis-Meknes excursion: €30-60/day
• Class / hammam: €50-90 per session
• Food: €8 (street food) to €50 (fine dining)
• Intra-city transport: €5-10/day
• Half-day official guide: €25-40 (split between travelers)

Average activities budget: €70-120/day/person.

Transport tips

• On foot in Fes el-Bali: 90% of sites are walkable.
• Petit taxis (red): 10-30 MAD intra-city, 40-80 MAD to new city. Meter or negotiated price up front.
• Car rental: useful for Volubilis-Meknes, Middle Atlas, Chefchaouen. Not needed in town.
• ONCF train: from new city station to Casablanca-Rabat-Tangier-Marrakech.

Compare Morocco car rentals· Discover Cars

Safety and etiquette

1. Pickpockets: stay vigilant at Bab Boujloud and busy souks.
2. Fake guides: don't follow someone offering to show you "the secret fountain." They aim for friend shops.
3. Photographing artisans: always ask first. 10-20 MAD tip if the photo centers on the person.
4. Dress: modest in medina for women (shoulders, knees). More relaxed in new city.
5. Drinks: bottled water only, juice at busy stalls.

Mistakes to avoid

FAQ — What to do in Fes

Bottom line

Fes rewards patient, curious travelers: a city that demands you stop, observe, talk with artisans. In 3 days, you combine medina + tanneries + madrasas + Volubilis-Meknes + a workshop or hammam. Ideal pace: 4-5 main activities/day, no more.

My 3 key tips:

1. Hire an official guide for 2-3 hours on day 1 — you'll gain in understanding and orientation.
2. Visit the tanneries from a leather shop terrace (10-20 MAD tip), with no purchase obligation.
3. Book Volubilis-Meknes as a full day on day 3 or 4 if your schedule allows.