Fes is a special city in Morocco where old meets new. When you walk in Fes, you feel like you’re in a different time. The city has tiny streets where cars can’t go. People use donkeys to carry things instead!

Fes has buildings that are more than 1,000 years old. The walls of the old city keep many secrets. You can find shops selling everything from spices to rugs to leather goods.

Many people go to Marrakech when they visit Morocco. But Fes is just as amazing! It has fewer tourists, so you can see how locals really live.

In Fes, you can:

• Get lost in the maze-like old city
• See how people make things by hand
• Eat tasty Moroccan food
• Stay in old homes turned into beautiful hotels

This guide will show you the best things to do in Fes. We’ll tell you when to visit, where to stay, and what to see. By the end, you’ll be ready for your own Fes adventure!

The Story of Old Fes

Fes began a long time ago in 789. A man named Idris I started building it. His son, Idris II, made it bigger and called it his capital city. This was the start of something big!

Two groups of people came to live in Fes. Some came from Spain and some from Tunisia. They built two different areas of the city. Later, these areas grew together into one big city.

In old times, Fes was very important. It was like the brain of Morocco. People came from far away to study here. They learned about stars, numbers, and religion.

UNESCO made Fes el-Bali (the old part) a World Heritage Site in 1981. This means it’s a special place that the whole world should protect. The old city has 9,000 small streets and tiny paths! Some are so narrow that only one person can walk through at a time.

Fes has the oldest university in the world that still works today. It’s called Al-Qarawiyyin. A woman named Fatima al-Fihri built it in 859. She used money from her father to make a place where people could learn.

The city has many holy places too. There are over 300 mosques in Fes! The biggest one is the Karaouine Mosque. It can hold many thousands of people who come to pray.

In Fes, old skills stay alive. People still make things the same way they did hundreds of years ago. They make colorful tiles, fine leather, and beautiful cloth. In the famous tanneries, workers use natural colors to make leather, just like their great-great-grandparents did.

Fes was Morocco’s capital four times in history. Even when it wasn’t the capital, it stayed an important place for learning and trading. Kings and queens built beautiful buildings here. You can still see many of them today.

When you walk in Fes el-Bali, you’re walking in a living museum. The streets, houses, and workshops look almost the same as they did 800 years ago!

5 Amazing Places to See in Fes

Must-See Attractions in Fes

After learning about Fes’s long history, you’ll want to see the special places that make this city famous. Here are five spots you shouldn’t miss when you visit!

The Old City (Fes el-Bali)

The old part of Fes has tiny streets that twist and turn. There are more than 9,000 small paths! Cars can’t drive here, so people walk or use donkeys to carry things.

The old city has tall walls around it. These walls kept people safe long ago. You can enter through big gates called “Bab.” The most famous gate is Bab Boujloud. It has blue tiles on one side and green tiles on the other.

Walking in the old city feels like going back in time. You might get lost, but that’s part of the fun! Many people say getting lost in Fes is the best way to find cool things.

Al-Qarawiyyin: The Oldest School in the World

Did you know the oldest university still working today is in Fes? It’s called Al-Qarawiyyin. A woman named Fatima started it in 859!

Al-Qarawiyyin has a big mosque too. The mosque has space for many people to pray. It has beautiful wood carvings and colorful tiles.

Visitors can see some parts of Al-Qarawiyyin, but not all of it. Some areas are still used for prayer and study.

The Colorful Tanneries

One of the most famous sights in Fes is the tanneries. These are places where workers turn animal skins into leather.

The Chouara Tannery is the biggest one. It has many round pits filled with colored dyes. Workers stand in these pits to color the leather. They use the same methods people used 800 years ago!

The tanneries smell very strong. Shop owners will give you mint leaves to sniff while you watch the workers. The best views are from leather shops around the tannery.

Beautiful Bou Inania Madrasa

A madrasa is a school for studying religion. The Bou Inania Madrasa is one of the prettiest buildings in Fes. It was built in the 1300s.

This madrasa has amazing art inside. There are carved wood ceilings, tiles with patterns, and pretty writing on the walls. Unlike many religious places in Morocco, visitors can go inside this one.

The Bou Inania has a special water clock outside. It was used to tell time hundreds of years ago.

The King’s Palace (Dar el-Makhzen)

The Royal Palace in Fes is very big and beautiful. It has huge golden doors with brass knockers. The king of Morocco still uses this palace sometimes.

Visitors can’t go inside the palace, but the outside is worth seeing. The area around the palace is clean and not as busy as the old city. It’s a good place to take a break from the crowded streets.

Near the palace is the Jewish Quarter called Mellah. Jewish people lived here for hundreds of years and made beautiful buildings too.

These five places show why Fes is special. They mix history, art, and the daily life of people who live here. When you see these places, you understand why people love Fes so much!

Fun Things to Do in Fes:

Now that you know the must-see places in Fes, let’s talk about fun things to do! These activities help you feel what life is really like in this old city.

Shop in the Colorful Markets

After seeing the big sights, you’ll want to explore the markets. Fes has some of the best shopping in Morocco!

The markets (called “souks”) sell all kinds of things. Each area sells different items:

• Henna Souk has natural makeup and beauty things
• Attarine Souk has spices that smell amazing
• Seffarine Square has people making things from metal
• Carpet shops have beautiful rugs made by hand

When you buy things in Fes, you need to bargain. This means asking for a lower price. It’s like a friendly game! Start by offering half the first price, then go from there.

The best things to buy in Fes are:

• Leather bags and shoes (made at the tanneries you visited)
• Blue and white pottery
• Spices like saffron and ras el hanout
• Argan oil for cooking or skin care
• Pretty metal lamps that make designs on the walls

Taste Yummy Moroccan Food

After shopping makes you hungry, it’s time to eat! Fes has some of the best food in Morocco.

Try these tasty dishes:

• Pastilla: a sweet and salty pie with meat, sugar, and cinnamon
• Tagine: meat and vegetables cooked slowly in a clay pot
• Harira: a thick soup with beans, lentils, and tomatoes
• Mint tea: very sweet tea poured from high up

You can eat in small food shops in the old city. Or try a fancy restaurant in a riad (old house). Some places have roof tops where you can see the whole city while you eat!

For a really special time, take a cooking class. A local person will show you how to make Moroccan food. Then you can make these dishes at home for your friends!

Visit a Hammam Bath

After a day of walking around Fes, you might feel tired. Time for a hammam! A hammam is a public bath where local people go to get clean and relax.

Going to a hammam is like going back in time. There are different rooms with different heat levels. First, you sit in a hot steam room. Then, someone scrubs your skin with a rough glove. It feels strange at first but makes your skin super soft!

You can visit a local hammam where Moroccans go. These are very basic and cost just a few dollars. Or you can go to a fancy hammam made for tourists. These have nice smells, massage, and pretty rooms.

Make Your Own Crafts

The last fun thing to do is learn how things are made. Fes is famous for its crafts. People make things the same way they did hundreds of years ago.

You can visit workshops where people make:

• Blue and white pottery (Fes is famous for this!)
• Colorful tiles called zellij
• Brass trays with tiny hammered designs
• Woven cloth on old wooden looms

Some places let you try making things yourself! You can paint your own pot or help make a tile. This makes a special souvenir to take home.

One cool place to see crafts is the Craft Museum (Dar Batha). It shows the best examples of things made in Fes. You can see how beautiful these handmade items can be!

These fun activities help you understand daily life in Fes. You’re not just looking at old buildings – you’re joining in local traditions! Next, we’ll talk about when is the best time to visit Fes for your trip.

Best Times to Visit Fes

Now that you know what to see and do in Fes, let’s talk about when to go! The time you visit can make your trip better or worse.

Weather in Fes:

Fes has hot summers and cool winters.

Spring (March to May) is a great time to visit. The weather is warm but not too hot. Days are sunny and nice for walking around. Flowers bloom and make everything pretty.

Fall (September to November) is also good. The summer heat goes away, but days are still warm. Nights start to get cooler, which feels nice after a hot day.

Summer (June to August) gets very hot! Temperatures can reach 100°F (38°C). The sun is strong, and walking in the old city can be tiring. If you visit in summer, do things early in the morning or late afternoon.

Winter (December to February) is cooler with some rain. Temperatures can drop to 40°F (4°C) at night. Bring a jacket! Some days are still sunny and nice.

Fun Festivals in Fes:

Fes has special events that make your trip extra fun! Here are some to check out:

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (June): Musicians from around the world play in old palaces and gardens. You can hear amazing sounds from many countries!

Fes Festival of Sufi Culture (October): This celebrates spiritual music and dance. You can watch whirling dervishes who spin around while they pray.

Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (dates change each year): These Muslim holidays bring big celebrations. Families gather, streets fill with happy people, and there’s special food everywhere.

Ramadan (dates change each year): This is when Muslims fast during the day. Things are quieter during the day, but very lively at night when everyone eats together!

Avoiding Crowds:

Nobody likes waiting in long lines or pushing through crowds. Here’s how to have a more peaceful visit:

Avoid weekends in the old city. Friday is the Muslim holy day, and many Moroccan people visit Fes on weekends. Come on Tuesday or Wednesday for fewer people.

Start early in the morning. Most tourists sleep late. If you start at 8:00 AM, you’ll have many places almost to yourself!

Visit popular spots late in the day. The tanneries and big madrasas get crowded mid-day. Go around 4:00 PM when tour groups leave.

Think about religious times. During prayer times, especially Friday midday prayer, many shops close and areas near mosques get busy.

Pick shoulder seasons. April-May and September-October have good weather but fewer tourists than summer.

The best time for most people is spring or fall. You get nice weather without extreme heat or crowds. But any time can work if you plan right!

Now that you know when to visit Fes, let’s talk about where to stay for your trip.

Best Places to Stay in Fes

Where to Stay in Fes

Now you know when to visit Fes and what to do there. But where should you sleep? Fes has many types of places to stay that fit different budgets and styles.

Live Like a Local in a Riad

The most special places to stay in Fes are riads. These are old family homes turned into small hotels. They have an open space in the middle with rooms around it.

Riads look plain from outside. But inside, they are beautiful! They have:

• Pretty tile work on walls and floors
• Fountains or small pools in the middle
• Plants and trees growing inside
• Roof tops where you can see the whole city

Staying in a riad puts you right in the old city. You can walk to all the main sights. When you step outside, you’re already in the action!

Some good riads are:

• Riad Laaroussa (has a nice pool)
• Dar Seffarine (very old building with beautiful wood)
• Riad Idrissy (near the main sights)

Riads cost from $50 to $150 per night. They usually include breakfast with Moroccan pancakes, fresh juice, and mint tea.

Fancy Hotels for Special Trips

If you want more luxury, Fes has fancy hotels too. These have all the modern things like pools, spas, and big rooms.

The best luxury hotels in Fes are:

• Palais Faraj (looks like a palace with amazing views)
• Hotel Sahrai (modern design with infinity pool)
• Marriott Jnan Palace (big rooms and gardens)

These hotels cost from $150 to $300 per night. They are often outside the old city in quieter areas. You need a taxi to reach the main sights, but you get more peace and quiet.

Cool Middle-Ground Choices

Between simple riads and fancy hotels, Fes has “boutique” hotels. These are special places with their own style. They have more services than riads but still feel very Moroccan.

Good boutique hotels include:

• Riad Fes (part of the Relais & Châteaux group)
• Karawan Riad (very stylish design)
• Le Jardin des Biehn (beautiful gardens)

These places cost about $100 to $200 per night. Many have restaurants with good food and nice places to relax after a day of exploring.

Tips for Picking a Place

How do you choose where to stay? Think about these things:

Location matters! Staying inside the old city (Medina) means you can walk to sights. But cars can’t drive there, so you walk from the nearest gate with your bags.

Check if they pick you up. Many riads send someone to meet you at a gate and help with bags. This helps a lot!

Look for air conditioning if you visit in summer. Old buildings can get hot.

Ask about stairs. Many riads have lots of stairs and no elevators. If climbing is hard for you, check before booking.

See if breakfast is included. Starting your day with a good Moroccan breakfast saves time and money.

Most people like staying in a riad best. It’s part of the Fes experience! You live in history and meet the family who runs it. They can give you the best tips about where to go and what to see.

Now that you know where to stay in Fes, let’s look at some trips you can take to places nearby!

Practical Travel Tips for Visiting Fes

Finding your way around Fes can be tricky. The old city has thousands of small streets that twist like a giant puzzle.

Most people get lost at least once, but that’s part of the fun! Getting a guide for your first day helps a lot.

When you walk alone, look for tall mosque towers as landmarks. This helps you know where you are in the maze.

Being polite matters in Morocco. Cover shoulders and knees when you go out, especially at religious places.

Always ask before taking photos of people. Many Moroccans don’t like having their picture taken.

When someone offers mint tea, it’s best to accept it. This small act shows respect for local customs.

Fes is mostly safe, but keep your bags closed in busy areas. Use only official taxis and agree on a price first.

Helpful words to know:

• Salam (Hello)
• Shukran (Thank you)
• La shukran (No thanks)
• Afak (Please)
• Bikam (How much)

Don’t worry about speaking perfectly. A smile and a few words go a long way in making friends!

These simple tips will help you enjoy the amazing sights in Fes without worry. You’ll feel ready to explore with confidence!

How to Include Fes in Your Morocco Itinerary

Fes is a must-see city in Morocco. Now let’s talk about how to fit it into your whole trip.

Most people spend 2-3 days in Fes. This gives you enough time to see the main sights and get lost in the old streets.

One day is not enough! You would miss too many good things. Four days might be too long unless you love history.

A good Morocco trip starts in Casablanca where most flights land. Spend one day seeing the big mosque there.

Next, go to Rabat (the capital) for a day. It’s smaller and easier to see quickly.

Then come to Fes for your 2-3 days of exploring the old city and trying good food.

After Fes, many people go to the Sahara Desert. You can ride camels and sleep in tents under the stars!

End your trip in Marrakech, the other famous old city. It has a big square with snake charmers and lots of action.

This whole trip takes about 10 days. It lets you see the best of Morocco without rushing too much.

If you have less time, focus on Fes and Marrakech. They show you the real Morocco better than other places.

If you have more time, add beach towns like Essaouira or mountain villages in the Atlas Mountains.

The best way to travel between cities is by private driver. Trains work too between big cities, but can’t reach the desert.

Remember that Fes is special because it feels so old. Give yourself time to just wander and soak it all in!

Conclusion

Fes is where time stands still. Inside old walls, ancient stories come alive as you walk the tiny streets.

People here still make things by hand just like their great-grandparents did. The colorful markets, hidden courtyards, and tall minarets create magic you won’t find anywhere else.

The best memories often come from simply wandering and getting lost. These special moments will stay with you long after your trip ends.

Ready for your Fes adventure? The ancient city waits for you!