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Morocco · Fès-Meknès

Fes travel guide

The world's great medieval medina

The Fes medina from above. Photo: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3hflight from London
FEZnearest main airport
29° in Augwarmest month
10° in Jancoolest month

Fes is Morocco's spiritual and cultural capital, and its old medina, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO maze of 9,000 lanes, workshops and mosques, founded over 1,200 years ago.

It's more traditional and less touristy than Marrakech. A local guide for your first day helps.

Good forHistoryCraftsArchitectureFood

What Fes is known for

  • Fes el-Bali

    A car-free medieval city.

  • The tanneries

    Leather dyed in stone vats.

  • Al Quaraouiyine

    The world's oldest university.

  • Blue Gate

    Bab Bou Jeloud, the medina's entrance.

Top things to do in Fes

  1. 1

    The Chouara tannery

    View the dye pits from a leather shop.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Bou Inania Madrasa

    Carved cedar and fine tiling.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Bab Bou Jeloud

    The famous blue gate.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    A guided medina walk

    See the craft workshops without getting lost.

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See all tours and tickets in Fes

Where to stay in Fes

Find a hotel in Fes

Best time to visit Fes

Best value: Dec–Feb, Jun, Sep. March to May and September to November.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
9.9 C10°J10.9 C11°F13.6 C14°M16.1 C16°A19.8 C20°M24.5 C24°J28.6 C29°J29.3 C29°A24.8 C25°S20.5 C20°O14.2 C14°N11.2 C11°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Fes, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 3h from London to FEZ, and flights from most UK airports.

Walk in the medina and take a petit taxi to its gates.

Find flights to Fes (FEZ)

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Good to know

  • Hire an official guide, not a street one.
  • Shops on tannery views expect you to browse.
  • Friday is quieter as many shops close.
Morocco guidesTravel safetyLGBT+ travelWomen travellersTap waterEnglish spokenWhen to go

Fes FAQ

Fes or Marrakech?

Fes for history, Marrakech for variety.

How long in Fes?

Two or three days.

More places in Morocco

Back to the Morocco travel guide + Add Fes to your bucket list