Is Fes Worth Visiting? Find Out Now!

Are you planning an awesome Morocco itinerary and wondering, “is Fes worth visiting?” If so then this local’s guide is for you. 

I live in Morocco and have been living here since January 2023. My partner is Moroccan and I have been to Fes multiple times. 

So, I can say with absolute certainty that Fes is worth visiting. 

Is it my favorite city in Morocco? No. I get hit on 20+ times a day as a solo traveler in Morocco and that definitely tainted the experience for me. 

Therefore, if you can, walk around the city with a male, even if it’s a nice guy you meet at a hostel. 

So, while Fes is not my favorite city in Morocco, I definitely think it’s worth visiting. 

I mean, it is the oldest city in the country and was founded in 789 AD. Therefore, it’s a super historic place with tons of cool things to do. 

But, let’s dig a little deeper and explore all of the reasons to visit Fes.

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1. Fes is an Ancient City with Tons of Cool Things to do

I personally find other cities in Morocco more interesting. But, that’s not to say that there aren’t cool things to do in Fes. 

Some of the best things to do in Fes for a day (or more) include:

• Explore the Medina – Yes, basically every city in Morocco has a Medina. But, the one in Fes is extra special. It’s filled with people and home to an array of shops, cafes, mosques, fountains, and hammams that are fun to explore. 

• Bab Bou Jeloub – The stunning city gate serves as a grand entrance to the Medina and features a blue side (for Fes) and a green side (for Islam) that are well worth seeing. 

• Chouara Tannery – Easily the most famous tannery in the country, pay someone around the tannery to take you to a local rooftop so that you can get a good view. They’ll chat with you about the tannery and give you some mint to help with the smell.  

• Bou Inania Madrasa – It’s a beautiful school and you can visit a courtyard where you stand in awe of the building’s stunning architecture. 

• Funduq al-Najjariyyin – Formerly a hotel for traveling merchants, the building is worth visiting to learn about the history of the city. Head to the roof for awesome panoramas of the city. 

• Moulay Idriss II shrine – This is the tomb of Moulay Idris II and it is pretty important because he is said to have established Fes. You can enjoy the exterior but can’t go inside if you’re not Muslim. 

• Kairaouine Mosque – This is the most sacred mosque in the country and Morocco’s second largest. Sadly, as a non-Muslim, you can only enjoy the exterior. 

• El Glaoui Palace – This palace is home to exquisite tile-work and an amazing place to explore since everyone thinks its closed! So, you could have the place all to yourself. 

• Borj Nord – This is a large fort that surrounds the city and that offers stunning panoramic views from the roof. There is also a military museum here that displays an assortment of weapons.  

• Jnan Sbil – This is cute little park near the city center that has a nice pond, lovely gardens, and some birds in pens. Stop by fi you need a break from the chaos of the city. 

• Royal Palace – It’s huge but you are not allowed inside. You can marvel at the exterior and take pictures of the amazing doors near the Medna. 

• Dar Batha – This is a former royal palace of Dar Batha that was transformed into a museum in 1915. You’ll find 6,500 traditional artifacts related to arts and crafts inside. There’s also a nice garden near the entrance. 

2. Fes Has a Greet Food Scene

There is a vibrant, and delicious, food scene in Fes. So, take some time to enjoy it by sipping on mint tea, taking a drag from a hookah, and sampling local delicacies. 

Embark on a culinary adventure where you indulge in brochettes (grilled meat skewers), sweet treats, and some fresh squeezed orange juice. 

However, if you’re looking for something a bit more modern, or European, then head to the New Town (Ville Nouvelle) and dig into pastillas (a sweet-savory meat pie) as well as a variety of fusion dishes. 

Some of my favorite restaurants in Fes include La Maison Bleue, La Maison Blanche, and Riad Fes L’Ambre. 

So is Fes worth visiting? If you are foodie it is the destination for you!

3. Fes is Cheaper than Other Cities

Is Fes worth visiting? If you are looking for a budget vacation then it is!

When deciding between Fes or Marrakech, I found that Fes tended to be a lot cheaper when it came to food, accommodations, and activities. 

So, if you want to pick up some cool souvenirs, visit a local hammam, or stay at an amazing riad then you can do all of these things for a lot less money in Fes. 

That’s why, I would save my shopping, trip to the Hammam, and stay in a riad for Fes. Just to give you an example, 

As an example, I stayed in a 4-bed dorm in Marrakech and spent around $30.00 per night. 

In contrast, I stayed at a private room in a riad (meant for two people at Dar Lalamoune) near the Medina in Fes for $25.00 per night. 

The room was great and even included breakfast. So, your money will go a lot further in Fes. 

4. The Medina is Compact and Easy to Navigate

One of the main reasons why you should visit Fes is that the Medina is small, compact, and easy to get around.

Unlike in Marrakech, the Medina sits on a hill. So, that fact makes it easier to get around. Go down the hill and you head toward the tanneries. 

Go up the hill and you’ll make your way to the main gate and out of the Medina. 

Sure, you can absolutely get lost in the Medina. But, all of the main attractions in Fes are in or around the Medina. 

Therefore, it’s easy to see a lot of Fes attractions in a short amount of time since you don’t need to use a taxi or hop on a bus. 

Yes, Fes is big. But, you definitely don’t need to go to the New Town. I found it rather uninspiring and think you can give it a pass. 

Insead, stay at a riad in the Medina and you’re well positioned to see a lot of cool things in a short amount of time. 

But, if you’re worried about getting lost, you can always do a free walking tour or hire a guide to take you around the city. Most riads in Fes have this option. 

5. Fes is A Lot Less Touristy

Fes may be the oldest city in the country, but Marrakech has been receiving tourists for A LOT longer. 

After all, people like Winston Churchill, Yves Saint Laurent, and Josephine Baker have all been living in/visiting Marrakech since the early 1900’s. 

As a result, tourists are more aware of Marrakech and love the city since it has a lot more amenities for them. It’s also just a more worldly and liberal city as compared to Fes. 

Yeah, I actually got yelled at and asked to change when I was in Fes. 

Anyway, the result is a more authentic feeling experience that Marrakech can sometimes lack. Additionally, Fes is safe to visit if you do your research.

Yes, Fes is touristy and you definitely won’t have the place to yourself. But, it is a lot LESS touristy than Marrakech. 

So, is Fes worth visiting? If you are after a more authentic, local experience while in Morocco then definitely stop by Fes. 

6. Fes is Well-Connected to Other Cities

One of the many reasons I love to visit Fes is that it is very well-connected to other cities. 

In fact, you can easily use the bus station, train station, and Fes-Saiss International Airport to travel basically anywhere you like. So, its accessibility makes it a very appealing destination. 

I have taken the train from Marrakech to Fes a bunch and it find it to be super easy to use.

7.  You Can Do Some Cool Day Trips

There are some really cool day trips from Fes that you can do if you have a bit more time in the area. 

A popular one is this day trip to Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, and Meknes. I did this day trip from Fes and while I loved exploring the ruins at Volubilis, I thought Meknes was super boring. 

When I was there, everything was either closed or under construction. So, unless things have drastically changed I would try and see if you can just do a half day trip to the ruins from Fes. 

Another great day trip that many people don’t seem to do is one to Ifrane. The town is a little over an hour away from Fes and it’s a cool place to visit since it reminds me of Switzerland.

Yeah, it’s a place that gets a ton of snow and that has these cute little chalets that are very European in style. So, it’s totally different from anywhere else in Morocco. 

If you do the 3-day desert tour from marrakech you’ll stop here along the way. But, you’ll only be here for max, an hour, 

Finally, you could also do a day trip to Chefchaouen. I definitely don’t recommend this since it takes around four hours to get from Fes to Chefchaouen. 

Therefore, you’ll probably spend MAYBE four hours in the city, which is fine since it’s small. 

But, you definitely won’t have time to watch the sunset at the Spanish Mosque or do some cool hikes in the area. 

So, if you have the time try to at least spend one night in Chefchaouen, two if you can spare it. 

8. Enjoy Authentic Local Hammams

I love going to the hammams in Fes. Not only are they way cheaper than the ones in Marrakech, but they tend to be a lot more authentic. 

So, nestled within the labyrinth of alleyways, winding staircases lead to hidden hammams scattered throughout the city.

These bathhouses serve as sanctuaries for communal baths that feature waters of varying temperatures. 

While you’re allowed to wear a bathing suit, it’s customary to go naked and soak up the steam. You’ll then bathe in the water and scrub/wash all the dead skin off your body. 

Hammams are also segregated by gender, or have gender specific hours.

 But, you’ll need a khmiss (an exfoliating glove) and savon noir (black soap) to enjoy this ritual at a public bathhouse. 

9. Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Commonly referred to as the cultural capital of Morocco, Fes is the oldest city in the country. 

It was founded by the Idrissids, the first Muslim dynasty, near the Fes river in 789 AD. 

Since then, Fes became an important ancient city that was one of the country’s four Imperial cities.

As a result, Fes is home to many ancient palaces, mosques, madrasas, and souks that make up the Medina. 

Fes actually has one of the most extensive and best conserved old towns of the Arab-Muslim world, which is why the Medina became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. 

So, is Fes is worth visiting then the Medina alone is reason enough to plan a trip. 

Is Fes Worth Visiting FAQs

Which is better to visit Fez or Marrakech?

Fez is less touristy but Marrakech has a lot more to do. The Medina is also smaller in Fez and a lot easier to get around. Personally though, I would choose Marrakech over Fez. 

How Many Days Do you Need in Fes?

How many days you spend in Fes depends on what you want to do. I would spend at least two days in Fes. This way can explore at a more relaxed pace and have enough time to see all of the major highlights. Also, know when to visit Fes so that you can have the best trip possible.

Should I Visit Fez or Tangier?

I prefer Tangier to Fez. I find it a more beautiful city with a lot more to do. I also love that Tangier is a coastal city. 

However, if you’re looking for a more traditional or historic city then Fez is a better option. 

Which is Better, Fez or Casablanca?

I am biased and am not a fan of Casablanca. Yes it is the economic capital of Morocco but I found it dirty and lacking in things to do. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are some beautiful places to explore, but I just found them limited. 

It is also difficult to get around the city and you need to watch out for pickpockets in a lot of areas. So, if I had to choose between Casablanca and Fez, I would pick Fex. 

So, is Fes worth visiting? I hoped this article helped you decide and you now know all the reasons why you should visit Fes. 

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