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Things to Do in Fes (2026)
Begin your Fes adventure in the UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali, the world's largest car-free urban zone. Enter through the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud gate, where the vibrant Blue Gate… 🏛️ Start at the Medina
Begin your Fes adventure in the UNESCO-listed Fes el-Bali, the world's largest car-free urban zone. Enter through the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud gate, where the vibrant Blue Gate marks the start of the medina's maze-like alleys. Hire a licensed guide for your first visit to avoid getting lost and to uncover hidden courtyards and artisan workshops.
🎓 Visit the University
Explore the University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD and recognized as the world's oldest existing university. While non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, you can view the stunning courtyard and library from the entrance. The adjacent Bou Inania Madrasa, open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM for about 20 dirhams, offers a glimpse into Marinid architecture.
👑 Royal Palace Views
Admire the Royal Palace of Fes, also known as Dar el-Makhzen, from its grand golden gates, which are a masterpiece of zellige tilework and brass. The palace itself is not open to the public, but the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter nearby, is worth a stroll. Visit the Mellah's cemetery and the Ibn Danan Synagogue, one of the few remaining active synagogues in Morocco.
🎨 Artisan Crafts and Souks
Wander through the souks of the medina, where you can watch craftsmen dyeing leather, weaving textiles, and hammering brass. The Chouara Tannery, the largest in Fes, offers terraces with views of the colorful dye pits; expect a sprig of mint to mask the smell. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the quoted price and negotiate politely.
🍽️ Savor Local Cuisine
Taste traditional Fassi dishes like pastilla, a sweet and savory pie, or a hearty lamb and prune tagine. For a memorable meal, book a table at Dar Roumana or The Ruined Garden, both set in restored riads with atmospheric courtyards. For street food, head to the night market near Bab Bou Jeloud, where grilled meats and fresh juices are served until late.
🌿 Escape to Jnan Sbil
Take a break from the medina's hustle in Jnan Sbil, a tranquil 7-hectare garden created in the 19th century. The park features centuries-old trees, fountains, and a rose garden, and is free to enter daily from sunrise to sunset. It's a perfect spot for a picnic or a quiet afternoon read, located just outside the medina walls near Bab Bou Jeloud.
🏺 Explore the Pottery Quarter
Venture to the potters' quarter of Ain Nokbi, just outside the medina, to see artisans shaping clay into intricate zellige tiles and ceramics. The cooperative offers free tours of the workshops and kilns, and you can purchase pieces directly at fair prices. Don't miss the chance to see the traditional technique of firing tiles in wood-burning ovens.
🌆 Best Evening Spots
As the sun sets, climb to the Merenid Tombs for a panoramic view of the entire city, with the medina's minarets silhouetted against the sky. The site is free and popular with locals, so bring a blanket and some tea. For dinner, try a rooftop restaurant like Café Clock, which also hosts cultural events and cooking classes.
The guide nails the big sights, but don't skip the tanneries' early morning light. If you get to Chouara right when it opens around 8 or 9 AM, the dye pits are still vivid and the workers are actively prepping hides, way less crowded than midday. Also, for a quick bite, grab a msemen from a stall near the Bou Injeloud side of the medina, it's a flaky fried bread that beats any sit-down breakfast I've had here. The Merenid Tombs are a solid sunset pick, but locals also head to the Borj Nord hill for a similar view with fewer tourists, and it's a shorter walk if you're tired.
good list honestly. one thing i'd add is to skip the official guides and just get lost on purpose for an hour, you'll end up in some random foundouk or a rooftop with old ladies hanging laundry and it's way more memorable than any curated tour, just keep a rough mental note of where the blue gate is. also for the pottery quarter, the free tour is nice but the real deal is asking the guys if they'll let u try throwing a pot, they usually charge like 20 dirhams and it's a hilarious mess but u get a weird souvenir out of it. and if u're at the merenid tombs at sunset, bring extra water, the climb is steeper than it looks and there's no vendors up there, learned that the hard way
Solid list. One thing I'd add is to hit the tanneries first thing in the morning, before the tour groups roll in. I showed up around 8 AM and had the whole terrace almost to myself, plus the light makes the dye pits look way more vivid. Also, if you're near the Blue Gate after dark, the grilled sardines at the little stalls by the square are stupidly good, cheap too.
Where to Stay in Fes (2026)
The ancient Medina is the heart of Fes, with winding alleys and historic riads. It's perfect for first-timers who want to be steps from the souks and monuments. Budget travelers ca… 🏘️ Medina Magic
The ancient Medina is the heart of Fes, with winding alleys and historic riads. It's perfect for first-timers who want to be steps from the souks and monuments. Budget travelers can find simple guesthouses for around 150-300 MAD per night, while mid-range riads cost 400-800 MAD. Be prepared for noise and a labyrinthine layout, so pack light and consider hiring a porter.
🌆 Ville Nouvelle
The French-built Ville Nouvelle offers a more modern, spacious alternative to the Medina. It's ideal for families and those who prefer wider streets and easier parking. Hotels here range from 300-700 MAD for standard rooms, with upscale options like the Palais Medina & Spa starting around 1,000 MAD. You'll find plenty of restaurants, cafes, and shops, plus easy access to the train station.
🌙 Nightlife Hub
For evening entertainment, the Ville Nouvelle's Avenue Hassan II is the main strip, with bars and lounges like the Skybar at the Hotel Les Merinides. The area around the Borj Fez Mall also has a few modern cafes and restaurants that stay open late. Expect to pay 40-80 MAD for a local beer or cocktail. This is the best spot for travelers who want a lively night scene without straying far from their hotel.
💸 Family Friendly
Families often prefer the calm of the Ville Nouvelle or the edge of the Medina, where riads have more space and easy access for taxis. The Riad Fes Maya in the Medina offers family suites and a pool, with rates from 900 MAD. In the Ville Nouvelle, the Ibis Fes (around 400 MAD) is a reliable budget choice. Look for accommodations with courtyards or gardens where kids can play safely.
💻 Digital Nomads
Digital nomads will find the Ville Nouvelle more practical, with reliable Wi-Fi and coworking spaces like the CoWorking Fes near Place Florence. Monthly apartment rentals in this area range from 3,000-5,000 MAD, including utilities. For a riad experience with good internet, try the Riad Dar Bensouda in the Medina, which offers a shared workspace. Cafes like the Clock Cafe in the Ville Nouvelle are also laptop-friendly during the day.
💰 Budget Stays
Backpackers can find dorm beds in the Medina for as little as 60-100 MAD at hostels like the Funky Fes. Simple guesthouses, known as dar, offer private rooms for 150-250 MAD, often with breakfast included. In the Ville Nouvelle, budget hotels like the Hotel Central start around 200 MAD. Always check if the price includes breakfast and whether there is hot water, as some budget options have limited amenities.
🚌 Getting Around
From the Medina, the main gate Bab Boujloud is a hub for taxis and buses. A petit taxi ride within the city costs about 10-20 MAD, while a grand taxi to the airport is around 120 MAD. The city bus line 19 connects the Medina to the Ville Nouvelle for just 5 MAD. For exploring the hills, consider hiring a private driver for the day, which typically costs 300-500 MAD.
Solid breakdown, the Medina vs Ville Nouvelle split is spot on. I'd add that if you're in the Medina, don't bother trying to navigate by map alone, just ask shopkeepers or kids for directions to Bab Boujloud and they'll point you through the maze. For a quieter stay with a view, check out the riads up near the Borj Nord, you're a bit removed from the souk chaos but the terrace sunsets over the whole city are worth the walk. Also, the petit taxi drivers from the Ville Nouvelle often refuse to go deep into the Medina after dark, so if you're out late, plan to get dropped at the nearest gate and walk the last bit, it's safe and locals do it all the time.
honestly the guide nails the basics but one thing it misses is how much the medina changes after dark. if you're staying there, the riads lock their front doors around 11pm and you get a key to the main gate, but the alleys are pitch black and the souks empty out fast. i learned that the hard way stumbling back from a rooftop dinner near the tanneries, so bring a phone flashlight or a headlamp, it's non-negotiable.
also for the nightlife crowd, the Skybar at Les Merinides is cool for the view but the drinks are tourist prices. instead, hit the little wine bar tucked behind the Hotel Batha, it's mostly locals, a bottle of local red runs like 80 MAD and they serve decent tapas. not fancy but way more fun.
and if you're on a budget, skip the hostel dorms and look for a dar near the Andalusian quarter, that side of the medina is quieter and you can find rooms for 120 MAD with a killer rooftop. the walk to Bab Boujloud is 15 mins but you'll pass the best bakeries on the way, fresh msemen for 2 MAD.
The guide is pretty much on point, I'd just say don't sleep on the Ville Nouvelle for food. The medina gets all the hype for street eats, but some of my best meals in Fes were at simple spots around Place Florence, especially the grilled meat places that do kefta and brochettes for like 30 MAD. Also, if you're in the medina in summer, pack earplugs, the dawn call to prayer echoes off those narrow walls like crazy, and the roosters start before it anyway.