Things to Do in Fes
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Fes, Morocco, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Fes. Oldest university in the world, no pressure, a properly staggering claim for a city to hold, and it backs it up with one of the largest car-free urban areas anywhere, thousands of narrow alleys where donkeys still do the heavy lifting. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Fes: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth getting properly lost for. Six main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The University of Al Qarawiyyin
Fes is home to the world's oldest continuously operating university, founded in the 9th century, founded by a woman, reportedly (Fatima al-Fihri), older than most European universities by centuries, a remarkable claim to hold and one Fes takes real, quiet pride in. The mosque and university complex isn't fully open to non-Muslim visitors, but the exterior and the surrounding medina streets give a real sense of its scale and significance.
The nearby Al-Attarine Madrasa, a stunning example of Marinid-era Islamic architecture and open to visitors, gives a good sense of the artistic and architectural traditions tied to this scholarly heritage.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–6pm
Address Fes el Bali, Fes
Fes el Bali Medina
Fes's old walled city, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, is known as the Fes el Bali medina, thousands of narrow alleys, no cars, just donkeys and foot traffic, best city for a pigeon to navigate, honestly, given the sheer density and lack of any vehicle traffic to dodge. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and properly easy to get lost in, deliberately so, in the best sense, the medina rewards wandering without a fixed plan far more than it rewards trying to hit a checklist.
Hiring a local guide for at least the first half-day is well worth it here, more than in most other Moroccan cities, the medina's scale and maze-like layout make independent navigation considerably harder than elsewhere.
Best time Morning, before the medina reaches its busiest, most crowded hours
The Chouara Tannery
Fes is famous worldwide for its traditional production of leather, the tanneries are famous, and famously pungent, the Chouara Tannery, dating back centuries, still processes hides using traditional methods, stone vats of dye and treatment solutions arranged in a striking, colourful mosaic pattern viewed from surrounding leather shop terraces.
The smell is properly intense, most viewing terraces offer fresh mint to hold under your nose, a traditional and genuinely necessary bit of visitor accommodation. Leather goods sold from the surrounding shops are often good quality and reasonably priced given you're buying close to the source.
Best time Morning, when the tanneries are most active
Address Chouara Tannery, Fes el Bali
The Royal Palace Gates
The Royal Palace of Fes, an official residence not open to the public, has properly spectacular bronze doors, intricate geometric brasswork that's become one of the most photographed spots in the city despite visitors never actually going inside.
It's a free, quick stop, worth combining with a wander through the nearby Mellah, the historic Jewish quarter, distinct architecture and a noticeably different atmosphere from the rest of the medina.
Address Place des Alaouites, Fes
Borj Nord & the Merenid Tombs
A 16th-century fortress overlooking the medina from a hilltop, now home to a weapons museum, worth the trip primarily for the sweeping view over the entire old city, thousands of rooftops and minarets stretching out below.
Nearby, the ruined Merenid Tombs offer an even more atmospheric, free vantage point, particularly at sunset, worth the short walk between the two for a proper overview before or after a day in the medina below.
Best time Sunset
Getting there A short taxi ride or uphill walk from the medina
Fassi Cuisine
Fes is widely regarded as home to some of Morocco's finest traditional cuisine, pastilla (a sweet-savoury pigeon or chicken pie, a genuine Fassi specialty), and slow-cooked tagines, worth seeking out a proper riad restaurant or an authentic local spot within the medina rather than a tourist-facing rooftop.
Prices remain reasonable, worth trying a proper multi-course Moroccan meal at least once here specifically, given the city's culinary reputation.
Best time Lunch or dinner
Best time to visit Fes
March through May and September through November give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking through the medina this list involves, mild without summer's intense heat.
Summer in Fes gets properly hot, and the dense, enclosed medina holds heat considerably more than open city streets elsewhere, worth avoiding July and August if possible, or planning around early morning and evening.
Getting around Fes
Fes el Bali medina is entirely pedestrian, no cars, walking (or hiring a local guide, strongly recommended) is the only way through. For sights outside the medina, like Borj Nord, taxis are cheap and straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Fes worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, the medina alone is one of the most atmospheric urban spaces anywhere, and the university, tanneries, and Fassi cuisine all add real depth beyond just wandering the alleys.
- How many days do you need in Fes?
- Two to three days covers the medina, tanneries, and a hilltop viewpoint comfortably, with a guide for at least part of the visit.
- Is Fes expensive?
- No, genuinely affordable, generally among the cheaper stops in Morocco for food, guides, and shopping.
- What is Fes famous for?
- Being home to the world's oldest continuously operating university, its vast car-free Fes el Bali medina, and its traditional leather tanneries.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
