Fez (or Fès) is one of Morocco’s oldest imperial cities and the country’s cultural capital. Here, you’ll be welcomed to a city that stimulates all your senses—from donkeys laden with carts meandering through the narrow, winding alleys to the myriad scents and colors that greet you in the world’s largest medina. Fez is considered the cradle of Moroccan civilization and remains to this day a vibrant city steeped in tradition and culture. Anyone traveling to Morocco should not miss a visit to Fez. Here you’ll find the best things to do, the tastiest restaurants, and where to stay in Fez.!
8 Best Things to Do in Fez, Morocco
Fez was once the capital of Morocco and boasts a long history of tradition and culture. Not only will you find the world’s largest car-free city center and the oldest still-active university there, but also the iconic tanneries where leather has been dyed by hand using traditional methods for centuries. If you want to experience authentic Morocco, a visit to Fez is a must!
1) Tanneries of Fez (Chouara Tannery)
In Fez, you’ll find the oldest tannery in the world, where leather has been produced using traditional methods since the Middle Ages. Fez once had 80 to 100 tanneries, but now only three are still in operation. The best-known one is the Chouara Tannery, an absolute must-see during your visit to Fez. Near the tannery, you’ll find plenty of shops you can browse through, offering views of the colorful vats. Most shops do expect you to buy something afterward or leave a small tip. It’s good to know that the tanneries smell incredibly bad, but when you enter a shop, you’ll often be given a sprig of mint to mask the odor. Despite the smell, it’s one of the most impressive things to do in Fez!
Chouara Tanneries Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Admission: small fee
2) Al-Attarine Madrasa (Quranic school)
Right next to the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque—the world’s oldest continuously operating university, dating back to 859—you’ll find the beautiful Al-Attarine Madrasa. This 14th-century Koranic school is a prime example of Moroccan architecture, featuring intricate wood carvings, colorful mosaic tiles, and a beautiful courtyard. The mosque itself is open only to Muslims, but visitors are welcome to enter the madrasa. After visiting the courtyard, be sure to head up to the upper floor. There you’ll see the various small rooms where classes were held.
Al-Attarine Madrasa Hours: Daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. – Admission: 20 DH per person
3) Getting Lost in the Medina
If you visit any of the attractions listed above, you’ve probably gotten lost a few times already. That’s not unusual, because after all, you’re walking through the largest medina in the world. Narrow alleys branch off in every direction, stalls are overflowing with spices, leather, and ceramics, and on every corner there’s a scent that transports you to another world. Simply getting lost and following your instincts is the best way to explore the medina and one of the most enjoyable things to do in Fez. Be sure to also check out the Seffarine Square, where copper smiths hammer copper and brass.
TRAVEL TIP: Download the map from Google Maps to help you find your way around, although even Google Maps doesn’t always know where you are. The main streets in the medina are Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira; you can recognize them because they’re a bit wider and busier.
4) Sunset at the Marinid Tombs
Around sunset, leave the hustle and bustle of the medina behind for a moment and walk toward the Marinid Tombs, located on a hill just outside the city walls. From here, you’ll have a fantastic view of the old medina of Fez and you’ll also see just how large the city of Fez really is. In the background, the old city gives way to the new city, and the green hills and countryside provide a beautiful backdrop. It’s just a short walk of about 20 minutes from the old medina, but it’s definitely worth the effort.
5) Bab Bou Jeloud: the gateway
Bab Bou Jeloud is the iconic blue gateway to the medina of Fez and perhaps the most photographed spot in the city. The gate dates back to 1913 and stands out for its bright blue tiles on the outside and green tiles on the inside—a nod to the colors of Islam. Take a seat at one of the outdoor cafes near the gate and watch daily life in Fez unfold. Right by the gate, there’s also a stall where you can get freshly squeezed fruit juice and pomegranate juice—delicious! Within walking distance, you’ll find Jardin Jnan Slib, a botanical garden featuring various types of plants and flowers, as well as a large pond.
6) Sample Moroccan cuisine
A visit to Fez isn’t complete without a hearty serving of Moroccan food. In the medina, you’ll find plenty of authentic little restaurants where you can enjoy delicious tagines, couscous, and bastilla. The latter is a typical dish of this region of Morocco—a savory, stuffed pastry made with paper-thin puff pastry. These are our favorite restaurants in Fez:
- Dar Hammad: This is where we had the best chicken bastilla, and it offers a fantastic view of the city.
- Foundouk Bazaar: a more modern restaurant offering a variety of Middle Eastern dishes and a beautiful rooftop terrace
- La Tarbouche: a tiny little restaurant serving delicious local dishes.
- Fez & Friends: located just outside the medina, with an extensive menu and refreshing iced teas.
7) Day trip to the blue city of Chefchaouen
About a 3.5-hour drive from Fez, you’ll find the ‘“The Blue Pearl of Morocco”. The picturesque town of Chefchouen is located in the Rif Mountains and is perhaps the most beautiful town in Africa. The entire medina is painted blue, and although no one knows exactly why, it makes this a very photogenic place. Chefchouen also feels completely different from Fez—smaller and more intimate. Lose yourself in the colorful streets of the medina, haggle for the best souvenirs, or settle down in the square by the Kasbah. Chefchouen is a great place to visit if Day trip from Fez. But it’s even more fun to spend the night there so you can experience the town without all the day-trippers.
8) Staying in a riad
When you’re in Morocco, you should definitely stay overnight in a traditional riad. As you stroll through the medina, you might walk right past them, but behind those unassuming doors often lies a beautiful riad. Here, you’ll step into an oasis of tranquility with courtyards, fountains, and colorful tiles. Where to stay in Fez? Here are three beautiful riads right in the heart of the historic medina:
- Budget (€): Dar Moulin – an affordable riad where you still feel pampered
- Comfort (€€): Dar Victoria – here you’ll sleep in a work of art, with the floor, walls, and ceiling adorned with beautiful mosaics and wood carvings
- Luxury (€€€): Riad Semlalia – a large riad with a rooftop pool, perfect for cooling off after a day of wandering through the hot medina
How many days in Fez?
Two to three days is more than enough to explore the highlights of Fez. That gives you plenty of time to experience the city in all its colors and scents and to spend at least one night in an authentic riad. Staying in a riad is a unique experience in itself—a must-do in Morocco!
How to Visit Fez in Morocco
The best way to visit Fez is during a Tour of Morocco. It’s about a 3-hour drive from the capital, Rabat, to Fez, and from Marrakesh it takes about 6 hours. Fez also has an international airport with flights from various European cities. From Fez, you can then rent a car and start your road trip through Morocco, either beginning or ending in Marrakesh. We traveled around Morocco in a camper. We took the ferry from Spain to Tangier Med, and from that port, it’s about a 5-hour drive to Fez.
Please note that the medina of Fez is car-free . You can easily visit all the attractions described on foot. The Fez airport is located a bit outside the city. Most riads and hotels offer transfers that you can book in advance. There are also plenty of taxis in Morocco to get around—a very common mode of transportation. Here you’ll find the cheapest flight deals to Morocco!
Visiting Fez by Train
Would you rather not drive yourself in Morocco? You can also visit Fez by train from major Moroccan cities. There are direct trains from Casablanca (4 hours), Rabat (3 hours), and Tangier (2.5 hours). From Marrakesh, the trip takes about 7 to 8 hours, and you’ll need to transfer in another city. You can find all the information about trains in Morocco and how to buy tickets on this official website.
Best Time to Visit Fez, Morocco
The best time to visit Fez and Morocco is from March through early June and from September through early November. During these months, temperatures range from 20°C to 25°C, making it pleasant to explore the medina. Summers in Fez are hot and dry, with temperatures that can reach 40°C, and in the narrow alleys of the medina, this can be extremely stifling. We visited Fez during Ramadan. In small villages, many restaurants and shops are closed during the fast, but in Fez we hardly noticed this.
Do you have any questions about what to do in Fez, Morocco? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more information for your next trip? Don’t hesitate to contact us or feel free to send an email to info@snoezelsontheroad.com
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