Located in the interior of Northern Morocco sits Fes, a Unesco World Heritage Site.  Even with hundreds of years of history, in two days you can visit all the best things to do in Fes Morocco. 

What to know before visiting exciting Morocco

How to Get to Fes

Although Fes is a popular site to visit, it is not as easy to travel to as the other major cities in Morocco.  You can fly to Fes from Marrakech, and other cities, but flights are limited.  Your best bet is to take the train.  From Rabat the train ride is around 3 hours, and about 10.5 hours to/from Marrakech. 

This is also a wonderful way to see a different part of the country.  You’ll be able to see rolling hills and fields of olive trees once you head inland towards the mountains. 

To learn more read: Helpful tips: Traveling By Train in Morocco

Another option, if you have a longer trip planned, is to take a tour from Marrakech through the Sahara and up to Fes (or vice versa).  Sahara tours typically last two to three days, including the transportation between cities. 

Things to do in Fes: Take a Walking Tour

I love a walking tour! For me, it’s the easiest way to quickly get your feel for a new city with the benefit of learning from a local guide.  Every walking tour varies but you will often get a history of the city with a quick view of some of the important historical sites.  Since old Fes is not  driveable, walking is the only way to access the best things to see in Fes Morocco within the medina. 

Fun fact: The roads in the medina are considered 1 camel or 2 camel roads based on the width of the road. 

Airbnb Experience tour with Jamal

During my time in Fes I took a 3 hour walking tour that was booked through Airbnb Experiences. This was truly a fantastic tour because not only did I see some of the top things to do in Fes, since no one else booked for the afternoon, I had a private tour. 

I can’t recommend Jamal enough, he is super friendly, and knowledgeable. When I ran into him the next day even, he helped me find a cafe to use the restroom (rather than the public ones).  In addition to Arabic, he also speaks English and Spanish. 

Depending on your group size, he will customize the tour but here’s what you can expect to see and do during your tour:

• Visit Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts
• Visit Al Attarine Madrasa
• Walk through the Souk
• Visit a traditional Moroccan mint tea shop in the medina
• Visit the tannery

Since I love textiles and weaving, we also went to a caftan and textile shop that had weavers working in the shop. 

Things to do in Fes: Museums and cultural sites

There are a few museums and cultural sites in and around the medina that are some of the more interesting things to do in Fes.  Some of these may be included as stops on a walking tour (like the one above) but the admission is typically an additional fee.  Don’t be discouraged as that price ranges from $2-3 USD per person. 

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts

This museum is located deep in the medina and is dedicated to wood arts.  The three story building has some of the most beautiful wood carvings you’ll find in Morocco.  Within the museum is a central atrium that has detailed railings and wood screens surrounding each floor.  Within the rooms, you will see a mixture of the different woodworking tools used throughout the centuries and incredible furniture and decorative items.  This museum is perfect for anyone that can appreciate the handicraft of carving and inlay.  There is also access to a balcony that overlooks the medina 

If you’re not interested in walking through the museum, it is worth stopping to see the incredibly ornate entry doors.  These have stone carvings around the door, with an intricate wood carved mantle overhead. 

Al Attarine Madrasa

This is a must visit location in Fes for any decorative arts lover. This is a former school of Islamic study that is now accessible to the public.  Unlike other Muslim countries, Morocco does not allow non-Muslims into mosques (with the exception of one in Casablanca).  You can easily identify a religious building with the rich green tiles, as these are a symbol of Islam.

This museum is one of the best places to see 14th century Moroccan architecture and design.  The central courtyard is adorned from floor to ceiling with tile, wood and stone carvings.  Every surface is intricately decorated.  In Muslim culture you do not see figural representations, especially in religious spaces. Instead, you see geometric and abstract patterns that have different significance and meaning. 

When you continue inside to the old school rooms and dormitories, you will see the wood railings and lattice work, similar to the Nejjarine Museum nearby.  In contrast to the ornate courtyard, these spaces are much simpler and more austere, but no less beautiful.  There are also views of the mosque next door with its rich green roof tiles and the tower for the call to prayer. 

Bou Inania Madrasa

A short walk from the Bab Bou Jeloud, or the Blue Gate entrance into the medina, you’ll find the Bou Inania Madrasa.  The madrasa is a 14th century religious school built during the Marinid regime of Fes. Similar to the Al Attarine Madrasa, it features a beautifully preserved courtyard with ornate tile, stucco and wood detailing.  On one side of the courtyard there is a prayer hall with different stained glass windows overhead. 

The madrasa is open daily, but closed during the call to prayer.  There is a small entry fee as well.  If you really love the ornate courtyards, you can easily visit both madrasas, but if you are limited on time you can just pick one. Visiting a madarsa is a must on your list of things to do in Fes.

Things to do in Fes: The tanneries

Visiting the tannery is one of the most popular things to do in Fes.  That said, I have mixed feelings on the tannery experience.  

The tannery is most easily accessed with a tour or tour guide.  Your guide will take you to the location, then leave you with one of the tannery guides.  The experience of seeing the process of how the hides get processed and dyed is really interesting.  You will read that there is a very strong smell, which is true, but you are given mint leaves to help offset the aroma. My issue with this visit is after you get the information and photos on the rooftop, you are then taken down to the shop. 

I absolutely hated this part of the visit. Culturally, Moroccans are negotiators and push for the sale, but this place is next level.  They do not want you to leave without buying anything. Worst of all, there are no prices, so you best believe they are going to give you the tourist price and hope you’re not willing to argue.  You will pay 3-4x more there than you will with a small stall in the souk for the exact same products.  There is nothing there that is unique or exceptional.  I bought something solely for the purpose of being able to leave the shop.  Be direct and firm and just keep walking to the exit.  

If you choose to visit, the best time is late morning through mid-afternoon which is when the men are working in the pools. 

Things to do in Fes: Shopping

One of the most popular things to do in Fes or Morocco in general, is to shop.  One thing you always hear about Morocco is winding through the maze like souks to go shopping.  But the reality is, there are shops EVERYWHERE, especially in the medina.  As soon as you make your way through the gates you’ll come across shops and small street vendors well before you ever get deep into the souk.  

You can find some great deals in Fes, and some vendors even take credit cards, but just remember everything you buy has to get to your next destination somehow. 

The biggest headache about shopping in Morocco is negotiating.  There are very few shops that actively display price tags, and most of those are limited to caftan shops outside of the main tourist areas. You’ll see online that the rule is usually take what they say and offer 25-30% of that cost, then work from there.  I truly hate negotiating.  I am from the midwest, I just want a 50% off sale and call it good.  Have a limit on what you will spend and don’t be afraid to walk away. 

Souks

Fes has the oldest medina and souk in Morocco. The souk is more like a Moroccan shopping center.  There are seemingly endless stalls and shops.  Some of which are built into the stone and have been around since the 1300s. Within the souk you’ll find sections of like items: electronics, metalsmiths, shoes, caftans, spices, etc. 

Along the larger streets in the medina however, you’ll find more of the leather goods, carpets, ceramics and shops more geared towards tourists rather than locals. 

If you have the ability, I strongly recommend buying a rug in Morocco.  You can get a hand woven rug, made of natural material rather than synthetic fibers, that no one else will have, for a fraction of the price you can get in the US. 

Cooperative Artisanal de Fes

Before visiting Morocco I knew the one thing I really wanted to find was a rug for my living room.  As an interior designer I have very specific taste, especially when it comes to my own space. I knew I wanted something colorful and that wouldn’t look like all the mass produced polyester rugs you find in America. 

Enter Adil, my rug knight. I entered the store mostly because there was a man walking behind me that gave me creepy vibes, so the idea of being sold something seemed better than that. Little did I know I was entering a Moroccan shopping emporium.  

They have everything from leather goods, ceramics, Moroccan tea glasses and best of all an entire floor just for rugs. This is by far the biggest store I found in all the shops and cities during my trip to Morocco. This shop has three floors of goods and the best part, they take Visa and Mastercard, and they will ship internationally. 

The top floor is one giant rug showroom with stacks and stacks of rugs.  While there, my new friend Adil showed me different styles of rugs, explaining what region of the country they came from, and then from there I could let him know which ones I gravitated towards until I finally found *the one*. Like any respectable Moroccan shop, you’ll be offered mint tea while you peruse.  A couple of weeks later my (2) rugs and blanket arrived in perfect condition. 

Art D’Argile

Since I must have seemed like someone with lots of money to spend, Adil offered to take me to a few other artisans.  I thought this meant on foot, but he had a brand new Jeep waiting nearby.  Due to my female guilt of not making a situation weird or causing an international faux pas, I agreed (sorry mom & dad).  But I clearly made it out alive as I’m writing this post. 

Not only did Adil take me to a street vendor for lunch (try the Kefta), we also visited the Art D’Argile, a ceramic shop on the other side of town.  Here I was given a tour of the ceramic studio where I could watch the artisans make the various pots and mosaic tiles.  Of course, there was a shop to explore after the tour. But, feeling the expense of my new rug and my upcoming train to Marrakech, I kept that purchase to a minimum. 

Things to do in Fes: Explore “New” Fes

Just outside the medina walls and to the west is “New Fes” also known as Fes El Jdid.  This is not to be confused with the Ville Nouvelle (Fez City),  which is actually the newer part of the city founded in the French colonial period. New Fes is still very old, and was founded in the late 1200s.  The area is quite small, but has a lot to explore. 

The Royal Palace

There are a number of royal residences throughout Morocco, due to the capital moving throughout history.  Fes ruled as the capital city in the 13th and 14th centuries before moving to Marrakech. The palace is not accessible as it is an government building, but the main entry gates are a popular spot for photographs.  The gates have some of the best preserved tile and wood carvings that you’ll find in Fes. 

Mellah/Jewish Quarter 

In ancient times, each major city in Morocco used to have a dedicated Mellah or Jewish Quarter, where most of the Jewish community lived.  In Fes, this is located just outside the medina walls in New Fes, near the palace. 

The architecture in this area is also very different than in the medina. Here you’ll notice exterior balconies above the retail shops which you do not see in the old town.

If you are interested in shopping for jewelry, this is where you will find most of the jewelry shops in Fez Morocco.

Within the Jewish Quarter is the Danan Synagogue. There is a small donation requested for entry. The space is an interesting contrast to see compared to the madrasas.  This space is small and relatively simple with only one decorative wall. Be sure to visit the rooftop for views of the cemetery and rolling hills beyond the edge of the city. 

Jardin Jnane Sbil

The Jardin Jnane Sbil is the perfect contrast to the frenzy of the Fes medina. Located just outside the old town, and leading into New Fes, is a sprawling garden with shaded tree lined paths, fountains and a large water feature.  When the old city can feel crowded and chaotic, this is the perfect place to sit quietly or enjoy a leisurely stroll. If you’re looking for free things to do in Fes this is a perfect spot to visit, as they often have different special events happening at the garden. 

*Note: the location for the Jnan Sbil gardens is wrong in Google Maps, and is listed as a nearby city.  However, it is correct in Apple Maps. It’s the large park between the medina walls and New Fès, you can’t miss it.

Walk the side streets

Take some time to wander through the more residential streets of New Fes.  During the day these streets are mostly empty, unlike in the medina, and you can find some beautifully colored walls and interesting street art. 

Things to do in Fes: Sunset hillclimb

One of my must do “things to do in Fes” is to do a mini hike up to the Marinid Tombs at sunset. For those staying in the medina, if you are a quick walker like I am, plan to take at least 20 minutes to get up to the top of the lookout.  Since Fes is a very short city (nothing is taller than the mosque towers) you can see the entire city and valley stretch out below.  At the top of the lookout are the ruins of the 14th century Marinid Tombs. 

You can do this walk/hike at any time of day. I recommend sunset because you can get the cotton candy skies and rich orange sunset off in the distance and see the city lit from below. This is a popular spot, particularly at sunset, but it is not overcrowded.  There were even mounted police there for additional safety. This walk was recommended by my riad, and I’m so glad I went. 

FAQs

Additional posts on traveling in Morocco :

• Morocco Travel Guide: Everything you need to know
• The Best Things To Do In Rabat Morocco in One Day
• Helpful tips: Traveling By Train in Morocco
• For the Best Meal of Your Trip, Take a Marrakech Cooking Class

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