Fes in 2 Days: the Ideal Itinerary
Fes el-Bali, the Fes medina listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, is one of the largest car-free medieval cities in the world. Two days are enough to grasp its essence, provided you plan well. Here is a tested day-by-day programme.
To visit Fes in 2 days, spend day 1 in the Fes el-Bali medina: enter through Bab Boujloud, see the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the surroundings of the Al Quaraouiyine mosque-university, Nejjarine square and the Chouara tannery seen from the terraces. On day 2, discover Fes el-Jdid with the Royal Palace gates and the Mellah, take a cooking class or wander the souks, then end at sunset at the Marinid tombs, overlooking the whole medina. An official guide saves a lot of time in this maze: the guided medina tour with the Al-Attarine madrasa and the tannery has more than 2,000 reviews (from €11). With an extra day, add Volubilis and Meknes or Chefchaouen.
At a Glance
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania | Al-Attarine, Quaraouiyine, Chouara tannery | Dinner in a riad |
| 2 | Fes el-Jdid, Royal Palace, Mellah | Cooking class or souks | Sunset at the Marinid tombs |
Day 1 — The Fes el-Bali Medina
Enter through the blue gate of Bab Boujloud, then visit the Bou Inania madrasa. Walk down the Talaa Kebira to the Al-Attarine madrasa, a gem of zellige and stucco, then skirt the Al Quaraouiyine mosque-university (the interior is reserved for Muslims). Pass through Nejjarine square and its fountain, then climb to a terrace to watch the Chouara tannery and its coloured vats. See the Fes medina and tanneries.
Day 2 — Fes el-Jdid and the Heights
In the morning, discover Fes el-Jdid: the monumental gates of the Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen) and the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter. In the afternoon, take a cooking class or wander the artisans' souks. Late in the day, climb to the Marinid tombs for a sunset over the whole medina. See cooking classes in Fes.
Tours to Book
| Tour | Rating | Reviews | Duration | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medina, Al-Attarine madrasa, Chouara tannery and museum | 4.5 | 2,108 | 3.5 h | €11 |
| Medina walking tour with a local guide | 4.7 | 1,538 | 3 h | €9 |
| Royal Palace, madrasa, tannery, souks and medina | 4.4 | 925 | 4 h | €13 |
| Souk visit and traditional cooking class | 4.9 | 256 | 3.5 h | €37 |
| Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes (day trip) | 4.7 | 2,992 | 9 h | €14 |
Ratings, reviews and prices taken from GetYourGuide; they vary with the season.
Book a guided tour of the Fes medina· 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
Transport and Practical Tips
- Arrival: see arriving at Fes airport or, from Marrakech, Marrakech to Fes.
- Finding your way: download an offline map; lanes change names and GPS sometimes gets lost.
- Guides: choose an official guide booked in advance rather than guides who approach you in the street.
- Clothing: covered shoulders and knees make visits to religious sites easier.
Variants by Profile
Where to Stay
A riad in the medina, near Bab Boujloud or the Talaa Kebira, lets you do everything on foot. See where to stay in Fes and the best riads in Fes.
See riads in the Fes medina· Booking.comFree cancellation on many properties · the best-rated places fill up firstNo prepayment needed on many offers: lock in your room now
Mistakes to Avoid
FAQ — Fes in 2 Days
Are two days enough to visit Fes?
Do you need a guide to visit the Fes medina?
Can you visit the Al Quaraouiyine mosque?
Where can you watch the sunset in Fes?
What can you do in Fes with an extra day?
Conclusion
Two well-planned days in Fes give you the heart of Morocco's oldest imperial city: the medina and its madrasas on day 1, Fes el-Jdid and the panoramas on day 2. To go further, see day trips from Fes and the desert tour from Fes.
