Quick Answer
Fez is famous for having one of the world's largest medieval walled cities, the Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hotels start around $70/night. The best time to visit is March through May or September through November, when temperatures are mild and crowds are manageable.
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Top Tours in Fez
Fez Medina Food and Culture Walking Tour
Walk through the Rcif souk and Bab Bou Jeloud area sampling bastilla, msemen flatbread, and fresh-squeezed orange juice with a local guide who explains craft guild history along the way.
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Full-Day Volubilis Roman Ruins and Meknes Day Trip from Fez
Travel by private van to the UNESCO-listed Volubilis ruins and the imperial city of Meknes, including Bab Mansour gate and the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, with a local guide.
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Fez Traditional Cooking Class with Market Visit
Shop for ingredients in the Attarine spice souk before learning to prepare harira soup, bastilla, and a tagine in a riad kitchen in the Fes el-Bali medina.
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The experiences travelers come back to Fez for, year after year.
Itineraries for Fez
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Fez in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Fez for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Fez with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Fez
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Best Time to Visit Fez
Best months to visit Fez: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Fez?
Travelers find Fez to be one of the most intact medieval cities in the Arab world, and wandering through Fes el-Bali feels genuinely disorienting in the best way. The medina’s 9,000-plus alleyways are car-free, so the dominant sounds are craftsmen hammering copper, the call to prayer echoing off tiled walls, and the occasional loaded donkey passing through a narrow souk. The Bou Inania Madrasa, a 14th-century theological school, is open to non-Muslim visitors for a small entry fee of around 20 dirhams (roughly $2) and its carved cedarwood and zellige tilework is some of the finest you will see anywhere in Morocco.
The famous Chouara Tannery is best viewed from the leather shop terraces above it, usually for free if you tolerate a brief sales pitch. The tannery has been operating since the 11th century and the honeycomb of stone vessels filled with dyes and pigeon dung for softening hides is a striking industrial scene unlike anything in a typical city tour. Nearby, the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts sits inside a beautifully restored 18th-century caravanserai and charges around 20 dirhams entry. Travelers also find it worth the short taxi ride to the hilltop Marinid Tombs, which offer a panoramic view over the entire medina at no cost. For food, the thing to eat in Fez specifically is bastilla, a sweet-savory pigeon or chicken pie dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, available at sit-down restaurants near Bab Bou Jeloud for around 60 to 100 dirhams ($6 to $10).
Outside the medina walls, the Ville Nouvelle district built during the French protectorate period offers wider streets, cafes with outdoor seating, and a noticeably different pace. It is useful as a base for travelers who want easier logistics while still being a short petit taxi ride from the medina gates. The Fes el-Jdid neighborhood, sitting between the two, contains the Royal Palace and a historically significant mellah (Jewish quarter) with a working synagogue. Most travelers find three to four full days gives enough time to cover the main medina sights without feeling rushed, with room for a half-day cooking class or a day trip to the Roman ruins at Volubilis, about 60 kilometers northwest of the city.
Frequently Asked Questions — Fez
How much do hotels in Fez cost?
Budget hotels and small riads in the medina start around $70 per night. Mid-range four-star options like Hotel Batha Fes sit close to that floor as well. Boutique luxury riads and five-star properties with spa facilities typically run $180 to $300 per night depending on the season.
When is the best time to visit Fez?
March through May and September through November are the most comfortable periods, with daytime temperatures generally ranging from 18 to 26 degrees Celsius. Summer months, particularly July and August, can push above 38 degrees Celsius inside the medina's narrow streets, making long walks difficult. December and January are cool and relatively quiet, which suits travelers who prefer fewer crowds.
How many days do I need in Fez?
Three to four days is a practical amount of time to cover Fes el-Bali's main sites including the Chouara Tannery, Bou Inania Madrasa, and Nejjarine Museum without feeling rushed. A fourth or fifth day allows for a day trip to Volubilis or a cooking class. One or two days is possible but means skipping significant parts of the medina.
Is Fez safe for tourists?
Fez is generally considered safe for tourists, including solo travelers. Petty theft and persistent unofficial guides near Bab Bou Jeloud are the most commonly reported issues rather than serious crime. Hiring a licensed guide through your hotel for the first medina visit helps with orientation and reduces hassle from touts.
What area should I stay in?
Staying inside or just outside Fes el-Bali puts you closest to the main sights and gives the most atmospheric experience, particularly in a riad near Bab Bou Jeloud or the Andalusian quarter. The Ville Nouvelle is quieter and easier to navigate by car, useful if you have early flights or prefer wider streets. Fes el-Jdid is a middle option between the two.
How do I get around Fez?
The Fes el-Bali medina is pedestrian-only, so most sightseeing is done on foot. Petit taxis are small, metered, and inexpensive for trips between the medina, Ville Nouvelle, and the train station, typically costing 15 to 30 dirhams. Fez has a train station with connections to Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, making it straightforward to reach from other Moroccan cities.
What food should I try in Fez?
Bastilla is the dish most closely associated with Fez, a flaky pastry pie traditionally made with pigeon or chicken, eggs, almonds, and a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar. Harira, a thick tomato and lentil soup, is eaten throughout Morocco but is especially common as a street food near Rcif market. Medfouna, a stuffed bread sometimes called Berber pizza, and mechoui slow-roasted lamb are also worth seeking out in the medina's food stalls.