A One Day in Fes Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal

If you’re planning a quick one day in Fes itinerary then you made the right choice. I know you may think it’s not enough time to see everything but trust me when I tell you that the Medina is small.

Yeah, you could easily walk around the entire Medina in a day and not run into any problems.

Don’t get me wrong, Fes itself is a giant city. But, I personally found the New Town to be boring since it felt just like any other big city.

Yeah, I have been to Fes many times since I live in Morocco and have never really fallen in love with that part of the city.

But, the Medina is where it’s at and filled with amazing Fes attractions that you will absolutely love. So, if you’re wondering where to stay then definitely make sure you are within walking distance of the Medina.

It will make your life a lot easier since you’ll be well-located near all the best things to do during your 24 hours in Fes itinerary.

Other than that, just enjoy this ancient city. The whole place is a vibe and the Medina definitely has an old world charm about it, just like the one in Marrakech.

I also found the Medina in Fes easier to navigate than the one in Marrakech since all you have to do to get out of the Medina is go uphill.

Yeah, the Medina slopes down this hill, with the tanneries at the bottom and the main gate at the top. Therefore, you should have no problem navigating through this maze of tiny streets as you discover the best things to do in Fes.

So, let’s swan dive into this epic local guide and see how you can spend a day in Fes.

Local Tip: If you want more of a chill day in Fes, then consider heading to one of the coolest hammams in Fes. It’s a great place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.

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The Royal Palace

Start your one day in Fes itinerary by getting out of the Old Town and by exploring a slightly different part of the city.

The royal palace is a bit far away from the Medina and around a 30-minute walk away. So, feel free to take a taxi here and back before continuing into the Medina.

You can’t go inside but the architecture along the exterior is impressive and well worth photographing. It’s also right near the Mellah, aka the Jewish Quarter. So, you could walk through this area on your way to the Medina.

It’s a bit far from the Medina, so feel free to skip it if it’s too far or you just want to enjoy a more chill day since you can always walk around the Medina instead.

If you do visit, you’ll be delighted to know that the complex was built in the 1960s and features seven ornate gates with amazing woodwork and tilework, as well as lovely gilded bronze doors.

You can also say hi to the guards standing watch and relax beneath some lemon trees planted in the area.

The Mellah

On the way back to the Medina, feel free to take a stroll through the Mellah, or the Jewish Quarter in Fes since it is literally right here. It was established in 1438 and was actually the country’s first official Jewish neighborhood.

At its biggest, upwards of 250,000 Jews lived here. But, today, only a few remain and are scattered throughout Ville Nouvelle. It’s still a cool place to walk around and see traces of the old community.

You can walk down Rue des Mérinides since it is the main street through the area and see lots of homes with balconies. There isn’t much to do per se but it’s just a neat part of the city to explore.

Dar Batha Museum

This is by far and in a way one of my all-time fave things to do in Fes. I was just so impressed by the collection of artifacts here and by the beautiful Andalusian/Arabic-style garden that they have on-site.

It’s also pretty awesome that this museum is totally free to visit after massive renovations that left this epic spot closed for years.

So, if you are short on time, DEFINTELY make this place a priority. I loved my time here and easily spent an hour exploring the wealth of carpets, tiles, woodwork, minbars, and the famous blue pottery that Fes is known for.

I also love that this museum actually used to be a Palace and was converted into a museum in 1915., hence the grand architecture and the amazing ambiance all around you.

Bab Bou Jeloud

After a 30-minute walk from the Royal Palace, you’ll discover the entrance gate into the Medina, aka the ancient walled part of the city.

I know this gate might look old but it only dates back to 1913, when it was built by the French. I would get here early if you love taking photos since this spot is always packed with people.

Also, if you walk through the gate and turn back to look at the other side of the gate, it features amazing green tilework. That’s because blue represents the city of Fes and green represents the Islamic religion.

This place is just a photo op so spend as much time as you like here. It’s quite beautiful and I wouldn’t blame you if you spent a ton of time taking photos here.

Stop by Colour Street

As you pass through Bab Bou Jeloud and make your way along the main street through the Medina, you will probably see a cute little street filled with color off to the side.

It’s nothing major and just a nice little place to take photos since the floor is painted in lots of bright colors and the walls are lined with colorful souvenirs like paintings, knick-knacks, carpets, and more.

Feel free to do a bit of shopping or take a photo or two before moving on to the next stop during your 24 hours in Fes.

Madrasa Bou Inania

There are many religious colleges in Fes. But this one probably features the best architecture. It’s also hella old since it was constructed between 1351 and 1357 by by the Merinid sultan Bou Inan.

Pay 20 Dirhams $2.00) to enter and see highlights like amazing brass doors as well as an inner courtyard exploding with impressive plasterwork, exquisite zellige tilework, and beautiful, wood lattice screens.

You can even see the green minaret of the school’s adjoining mosque as you enter through Bab Bou Jeloud.

TBH, a visit here probably won’t take that long. You’ll probably just admire the building’s beauty, take some photos, and then continue on your merry way.

Chouara Tanneries

If you only see one landmark during your one day in Fes itinerary then let this be it. Because the tanneries are easily one of the most famous things to do in Fes.

You’ll find them all the way at the bottom of a hill at the edge of the Medina. They sit by a river and workers still use traditional methods to make some of the best leather goods in the country.

So, if you’re looking for a leather bag, jacket, or pair of rad shoes while in Morocco, this is the place to buy them.

Anyway, back to the tanneries. The reason they are famous is that they date back to the 16th century. The vats here are also filled with amazing, super colorful dyes that are most impressive when viewed from above.

Therefore, you’ll need to pay (around 20 Dirhams or $2.00) to enter one of the shops surrounding the tanneries. A local shop owner will then give you some mint (for the smell) and take you to the roof.

This way you can get a great aerial view of the tanneries and take lots of photos. Many of the guides will also give a brief history of the tanneries and then try to sell you their goods.

I didn’t find them overly pushy and was easily able to leave if I didn’t want to buy anything.

Two of the best places for good views of the tanneries are shop No. 10 on Derb Chouara or shop No. 64. If you can’t find them, don’t freak out. I promise that you’ll get a good view of the tanneries no matter where you go.

Just enjoy the view and remember that while the smell isn’t AMAZING, it definitely wasn’t as bad as I thought it was gonna be.

Al Attarine Madrasa

For just 10 Dirhams ($1.00) you’ll be able to enter the interior courtyard of this ancient school founded in 1325.

Yes, the courtyard is small. But, it probably features the most beautiful architecture of all the schools you’ll see since the mosaic tiles, epic plasterwork, and carved cedar are just mind-blowingly beautiful.

If you want, you can even head upstairs and explore the less-than-magnificent rooms that students got to sleep in. Yeah, these rooms did not make me want to enroll here.

Mosque and University Karaouiyne

Full disclosure, you cannot enter this mosque and university unless you are Muslim. However, I am adding this spot to your one day in Fes itinerary because the doors and architecture along the exterior of the building are just really lovely.

Plus, the university is super historic since it was founded in 859 and is actually considered to be the world’s oldest university. It is also a BIG school where over 20,000 students can study the Quran.

For the best chance of catching a glimpse of the inner courtyard of the Mosque, head to Chemmaine and on Derb Boutouil. You can also enjoy stellar views of the complex from just about any rooftop in the city.

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts

This is probably one of my favorite places in Fes since the architecture is stunning and the woodwork is some of the best I’ve ever seen.

Well, I guess that’s because the building is a Fondouk from the 18th century that was once used by merchants traveling to and from the Sahara.

I also love that it is a full-on museum where you can explore former merchant rooms and see displays filled with artifacts like doors, musical instruments, and prayer beads and musical instruments.

The museum is spread out across three floors so you could easily spend an hour here. There is also a low-key cafe on the roof where you can sit and take in views of the city. Tickets are also fairly cheap and just 10 Dirhams ($1.00) per person.

Cherratine Madrasa

This large and historic school for students of the Quran was founded in 1670 and is a great place to visit since it’s large and not as popular among tourists.

That being said, the decor isn’t as impressive as some of the other schools on this Fes itinerary. But, it’s still worth exploring since you can visit a bunch of student rooms that are spread across three floors of the building.

In fact, the structure was designed to house up to 150 people. Also, be sure to take photos of the courtyard from the second or third floor of the building since the views are pretty great.

I also like that this place still actually looks old and is not as fully “restored” as some of the other buildings in the Medina.

Jnan Sbil Park

This cute little park outside the medina sometimes has wonky opening hours. So, it may or may not be open when you visit.

However, it’s pretty close to the Medina so, worst case scenario just stop by and admire the park from the gate outside.

It’s not super big but it does feature a pond, well-manicured gardens, some pens full of doves/peacocks, as well as some fountains with elaborate tile mosaics behind them.

If you’re lucky, you might even catch a free musical performance during your visit since this is a popular hang-out spot among locals, especially at dusk.

Catch the Sunset from the Merinid Tombs

The Merinid Tombs are about a 30-minute walk away from Jnan Sbil Park. It’s not a difficult walk but it is uphill.

So, if you’re not into walking that far, definitely grab a taxi and enjoy a quick ride (for 12 Dirhams) up the ruins of these tombs. They were supposed to be part of a royal necropolis for the Marinid dynasty that once ruled over Morocco.

They date back to the 14th century and the ruins are a great place to sit and watch the sunset over Fes. A lot of locals will be here and if you have time, you can head over to the outdoor patio at Hotel Le Meridien Merinides and enjoy a mint tea.

Yeah, the bar is open to the public and the views of the city are just really lovely from this spot.

Map of this One Day in Fes Itinerary

Where to Eat in Fes

There are some great restaurants in Fes that you will absolutely love. Some of my fave places include:

• Fes and Friends – This restaurant sits just outside the main gate of the Medina and features modern decor as well as an extensive menu filled with classic Moroccan dishes and more Western items. I got the falafel bowl and absolutely loved it. But, my friend ordered the lamb tagine and said it was excellent.

• Cafe Clock – This place has a great rooftop and my go-to order is the Berber Omelet. I also love their spiced cappuccino, which comes with lots of cinnamon and cocoa powder on top. My partner loves the pancakes but you can be adventurous and order the camel burger if you want to try something super unique.

• Le Tarbouche – This is a cozy restaurant where you can get amazing grilled chicken as well as great Kefta tagine. We tried the Pastalia with chicken, but it was sweet, which was kind of weird. However, the service is great. The place is small though, so try to book a table in advance.

Where to Stay in Fes

If you’re not sure where to stay after finishing your one day in Fes itinerary then here are some epic spots you’ll love. They are well-located and perfect for travelers of every budget.

• Dar Lalamoune (budget) – I stayed here and highly recommend this place. It’s well-priced and located on the edge of the Medina. So, it’s super easy to find. The rooms are also big and traditionally decorated inside this riad. I loved that breakfast was made to order every morning and that they always served something different. FYI, the food was good and the staff were very helpful. Yup, I would stay here again if I was in the area.

• Riad Laaroussa (mid-range) – There are so many things to love about this gorg, 4-star hotel that sits inside a former 17th century palace. They have a spacious heated pool on-site and are situated inside the Medina. There is also a hammam at the hotel and breakfast is offered daily, featuring decadent Moroccan cuisine. Plus, it’s a small riad with just 13 rooms. So, you’ll receive lots of personalized service.

• Riad Fes – Relais & Châteaux (luxury) – This 5-star hotel is fancy with a capital “F”! I mean, they have a great pool and uber-luxe rooms that look like they’re from a palace. It’s also well-located near the Medina and features a stunning rooftop terrace where you can relax after a long day in the city. Breakfast is also complimentary and resembles something delicious that Chef Gordon Ramsey would cook up.

FAQS

What is the Best Time to Visit Fes?

The best time of year to visit Fes is between October and December. Summer crowds are gone, prices are better, and you don’t have to deal with the intense heat of the summer.

Just be aware that Fes does get cold in the winter. So, if you do visit in November/December, check to make sure your hotel has a good heating system. Yeah, some hotels in Morocco don’t even have heat.

Is One Day Enough for Fes?

Yes, I think one day is enough for Fes. You can enjoy all of the city’s major highlights in a day since the Medina is small and all the city’s main attractions are centrally located there.

However, if you want to do a day trip to Meknes and Vollubis then you would need a second day in the city.

How Many Days Do You Need to See Fez?

If you have the time, I would spend two days in Fez. This will be enough time to experience all of the city’s highlights without feeling overwhelmed and rushed.

Is Fes Morocco Worth Visiting?

Fes is worth visiting since there are a lot of amazing things to do and see. It’s also much less touristy than Marrakech. So, you’ll get a better feel for local culture here. just learn a bit about safety in Fes before you visit.

Is There a Train from Casablanca to Fes?

Yes, there is a train from Casablanca to Fes and a train from Fes to Marrakech. Trains depart every hour daily and the trip usually takes just under 4 hours.

Conclusion

That wraps up this one day in Fes itinerary. Did your fave Fes attractions and activities make the list? If not then let me know.

Yes, spending one day in Fes means you won’t get to see everything. But, you can definitely experience the top attractions in Fes.

From wandering the alleys of the medina, exploring the tanneries, and visiting Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and the Bou Inania Madrasa, to discovering the Mellah and the grandeur of the Royal Palace, your day will be packed with culture, history, and stunning architecture.

Sure, Fes probably deserves more of your time. But, this well-planned day in Fes will allow you to immerse yourself in its magic, making even a short visit unforgettable.

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