Morocco
Fes
Give Fes two days with a licensed guide for the first medina morning; the old city is the largest car-free urban area in the world. This guide pulls together 7 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- November
7 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat
Morocco Imperial Cities
from our route notes
38°C / 101°F avg high
16°C / 61°F avg high
about 116 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Fes
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Fes in Fes el-Bali. 4 of them are free.
Photo: Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeBab Bou Jeloud
Blue-and-green tiled gate that is the main entrance to Fes el-Bali.
Tip Start medina walks here; Talaa Kebira leads downhill.
Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but pl · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeBou Inania Madrasa
Marinid madrasa with carved stucco and cedar and a working minaret.
Tip Closed to visitors at prayer times; go mid-morning.
Photo: Robert Prazeres · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeAl-Attarine Madrasa
Small 14th-century madrasa with some of the finest zellige tilework in Morocco.
Tip Combine with a look into Al-Qarawiyyin's doorway nearby.
Photo: Soufiane El Kadaoui · GoogleSeeAl-Qarawiyyin Mosque
Founded in 859 and among the world's oldest universities; non-Muslims view from the doors.
Tip Peek through the main door into the courtyard.
Photo: Mustapha Taleb · GoogleSeeNejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts
Restored fondouk with carved cedar work and a rooftop cafe.
Tip Have tea on the roof terrace.
Photo: Uwe Brodrecht · CC BY-SA 2.0SeeChouara Tannery
Medieval tannery with stone dye vats, viewed from leather-shop terraces.
Tip Visit before noon; take the mint sprig offered for the smell.
Photo: Robert Prazeres · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeBorj Sud
Restored 1582 Saadian fort on the hill south of the medina, now a fortifications museum with sweeping old-city views.
Tip Walk up from Bab Jdid; go late afternoon for the light and calls to prayer.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Fes.
Photo: Robert Prazeres · CC BY-SA 4.0OutdoorsJnan Sbil Gardens
Restored royal gardens with fountains and shade between the medina and Fes el-Jdid.
Tip A good quiet break after the medina.
Eat
2 places to eat in Fes el-Bali, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Cafe Clock · GoogleEatCafé Clock
Multi-level cafe in a medina house, known for camel burgers and cultural events.
Tip Check the schedule for storytelling and music nights.
Photo: The Ruined Garden · GoogleEatThe Ruined Garden
Garden restaurant in a ruined riad serving Moroccan street food and slow-cooked dishes.
Tip Order mechoui a day ahead.
How to fit Fes into a trip
Fes is stop 2 of 3 on our Morocco Imperial Cities route. Follow it as-is or lift Fes into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 3
Morocco Imperial Cities
Marrakech, Fes & Sahara edge
- Trip length
- 8 days
- Best season
- Mar – May
- Pace
- moderate
Getting here and onward
- Fes to MerzougaMerzouga is about 340 km / 211 mi away in a straight line
- Marrakech to FesMarrakech is about 384 km / 239 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Fes month by month
Average daily highs run from 16°C / 61°F in January to 38°C / 101°F in August. November is the wettest month, with about 116 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan16° / 61°F average high
- Feb18° / 64°F average high
- Mar21° / 69°F average high, in our recommended season
- Apr24° / 75°F average high, in our recommended season
- May28° / 82°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun33° / 92°F average high
- Jul38° / 100°F average high
- Aug38° / 101°F average high
- Sep33° / 91°F average high
- Oct28° / 82°F average high
- Nov21° / 69°F average high
- Dec18° / 64°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Fes weather and the best time to visit →
Near Fes
5 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Fes questions, answered
How many days do you need in Fes?
Our route notes suggest 2 days in Fes. On our Morocco Imperial Cities route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 7 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Fes best known for?
Give Fes two days with a licensed guide for the first medina morning; the old city is the largest car-free urban area in the world. Standouts on our list: Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue-and-green tiled gate that is the main entrance to Fes el-Bali); Bou Inania Madrasa (Marinid madrasa with carved stucco and cedar and a working minaret); Al-Attarine Madrasa (Small 14th-century madrasa with some of the finest zellige tilework in Morocco).
When is the best time to visit Fes?
Our Morocco Imperial Cities route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (38°C / 101°F), the coolest in January (16°C / 61°F) and the most rain in November (about 116 mm).
What are the best things to do in Fes?
Start with Bab Bou Jeloud, Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Attarine Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 7 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat.
Where should a group eat in Fes?
Our picks: Café Clock (Fes el-Bali); The Ruined Garden (Fes el-Bali). Check the schedule for storytelling and music nights (Café Clock).
What is near Fes?
The closest destinations in our guides are Ronda (about 304 km / 189 mi), Merzouga (about 340 km / 211 mi) and Granada (about 374 km / 232 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Fes with your crew
Open the Morocco Imperial Cities route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.