When you only have one day in Fes, it can be hard to choose what to see and do. But what if I tell you that you can actually see all the main sights in just one day if you plan it well? Here is your ultimate guide to a day trip to Fes including itinerary!
Table of Contents
- One Day in Fes
- Places to eat
- Places to stay
- Pin it for later so you don’t forget how to spend one day in Fes!
- Book your stay for one day in Fes
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One Day in Fes
Why you should visit Fes
Fes is the cultural capital of Morocco. Here you will find craftsmen and artists and the most beautiful architecture. It is home to one of the oldest continually-operating universities in the world which was founded by a woman! The city still feels very authentic and is a true challenge to visit with its almost 10 000 little streets in the medina. Why not find out if you are one of the few people who will not get lost in this crazy maze, looking for the tanneries or one of the breathtaking madrasas?
Where is Fes and how can you get there?
Fes is situated in the north of Morocco, about 200 kilometers east from Rabat. This royal city is easy to reach by train from any other big Moroccan city. It takes about 30 minutes to drive from the international airport of Fes to the medina.
If a train connection takes too long or you come from a smaller town like Chefchaouen, you can always hire a driver online or take a taxi. If you want a cheaper option, you can take the CTM bus.
When is the best time to go on a day trip to Fes?
Try to avoid Fridays. Friday is the most important day to muslims so most shops will be closed and you will not get the full experience. Ramadam is also not an ideal period, because you won’t be able to eat or drink in public and shops will close during prayer time.
The best time to visit Fes is during Spring and Fall. Then temperatures are still bearable and you will be able to walk and see a lot.
How to make the most of your one day in Fes?
When spending only one day in Fes I suggest to start early in the morning so you will have enough time to explore the main sights without rushing too much. It will also be less crowded at the madrasas (religious schools) and the tanneries.
If you don’t want to waste too much time looking for the sights, I definitely recommend taking a guide! Even locals get lost in the narrow streets of the Fes medina. Trust me, Google Maps and GPS don’t work here! If you read my blog post about solo female travel in Morocco, you know I had a great guide!
Not only is a guide handy to find your way, but he can teach you so much about the history of this ancient royal city. It would be a shame to miss out on this!
Check my Fes video on the YouTube channel!
Need to know before going to Fes
To avoid getting scammed or get into trouble always make sure to discuss prices beforehand with your guide. Make sure to book an official guide. (you can book them at your hotel or ask them to show their badge) There will be a lot of men offering to guide you around in the streets of Fes, but they are not real guides and they will ask way too much money. In the end they will also try to charge you more with a lame excuse.
When you are lost in the streets (which will definitely happen), try to ask for directions in a shop. If anyone offers help to guide you to your destination, be aware that they will always ask for money in return.
If you do decide to look for the tanneries on your own, don’t believe the men stating you can’t take a certain street because “it is closed”. They will try to lure you into their shop and almost force you to buy something. Be firm and make it very clear you don’t appreciate this. The terraces with a view on the tanneries are free, but are always located in one of the leather shops surrounding the tanneries. You are not obliged to buy anything and where I went they didn’t expect a tip. But I think that was because I was there with Kamal. Just be careful which shop you choose and often if you keep smiling, people are very nice to you. I wouldn’t have minded to pay a small tip, after all you are able to get a fantastic view from their property.
What are the best things to see and doon your one day in Fes?
Gates of the Royal Palace
Since the Royal Palace is situated outside of the Fes medina, I recommend taking a taxi to get there. That way you don’t loose any time. You can’t enter the palace, but the royal gates alone are worth visiting. These massive golden doors surrounded by colorful mosaics are a sight for sore eyes!
Entrance fee: free
Bab Bou Jeloud
A 20 minute walk from the Royal Palace will take you to the Blue Gate, which is the western main entrance to the Fes medina. The entry side of the gate that greets new visitors is blue and represents the color of the city of Fes, which is famous for its pottery with blue designs. The reverse side, which faces the medina, is green, the color of islam.
Rainbow Street
Even though this is not a real “monument” I think it is a cute street you should visit. It is a little side street on the way from Bab Bou Jeloud to the Madrasa Bou Inania. There are cute little shops where they sell colorful paintings and souvenirs and the street itself is painted in rainbow colors. Make sure not to miss it, because it is well hidden.
Madrasa Bou Inania
The Madrasa Bou Inania is the biggest Quran school in Fes. It even houses a complete mosque! Coming early in the morning is strongly advised, because it is the most visited madrasa in Fes. But with a little creativity and patience, you are still able to take nice pictures.
Why you should visit the Madrasa Bou Inania? Because of its architectural beauty! The mosaic tile work, the carved plaster, the cedar screens and massive doors are absolutely breathtaking!
Entrance fee: 20 dirham
Chouara Tanneries
This is probably the most famous “attraction” of Fes, but very hard to find on your own. Try to find someone who can take you inside the tanneries instead of just standing on a terrace of one of the leather shops. It is a unique experience to walk between the tanning pits filled with pigeon shit and natural coloring products such as cedar wood (brown), poppy flower (red), indigo (blue), henna (orange), mint (green) and saffron (yellow). You will get a “behind the scenes” and meet with the people working there.
I’m sure you heard a lot of stories about the smell. During my visit it wasn’t too bad. Of course it stinks, but it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. You get offered mint to put under your nose, but I didn’t really need it (and I am very sensitive about smells). Maybe when the weather gets really hot, the smell is worse.
Read more about my experience here.
Entrance fee: the terraces of the shops are free to visit, but you can always give a tip. The price for the tour inside the tanneries depends of your guide.
Al Attarine Madrasa
This is my favorite quran school: Al Attarine Madrasa. The courtyard is much smaller than the one of Bou Inania, but its architecture is way more impressive. The tiled floor, the marble fountain in the center, the walls decorated with intricate zellige mosaic tiles, Arabic calligraphy and carved stucco ornamentation, marble columns holding elaborately carved wooden arches are all awe-inspiring.
Another plus is that you can go upstairs and visit the student accomodations. Which are way more simple than the courtyard and the prayer hall.
Entrance fee: 10 dirham
Mosque and University Karaouiyne
You can’t enter the mosque but you can admire its courtyard through the entrance doors, if you are lucky. It is also worth it to take a walk around its walls and admire all the gorgeous decorated doors. Sometimes a door is open and you can take a look inside. But always show respect towards people entering and leaving the mosque and don’t take photos of people praying. I had the luck Kamal suggested to take my camera to take a few shots inside, because the courtyard looks amazing! If you are less lucky; enjoy the photos beneath. 🙂
Fondouk el-Nejjarine
Fondouk el-Nejjarine is a museum about woodcrafting. It used to be a resting place for travelers, a “traveler inn”. Because of all the wooden ornamentation it received its name “Nejjarine”, which means carpenter. I was impressed by all the wooden objects in this museum. The details in each work show true crastmanship.
Entrance fee: 10 dirham
Cherratine Madrasa
This is the third madrasa you can visit in Fes. It is less decorated but has two floors of student rooms. Not too many people visit this one because it is really tucked away in the medina.
Entrance fee: 10 dirham
Places to eat
Lunch at Fassie Délecie
During my day in Fes I had lunch at a small restaurant under an arch near Place Seffarine with a very local feel called Fassie Délecie. The guy working here is very funny and friendly. He used a hair dryer to light his grill fire. The food was traditional and very good.
Address: 1 bis sefarine boutouil, Medina
Rooftop dinner at Palais de Fes Dar Tazi
My guide took me here for dinner, because I asked if he knew a great place with a fantastic view. Well, he surely didn’t disappoint! I am pretty sure it has the best view in town! It was just magical to sit on the terrace watching the sun set behind the hills and see all the minarets light up. During the call to prayer you could hear all the muezzins sing in the different quarters.
Address: 15-MAKHFIA ERCIF A COTE DU CINEMA AMAL
Café Clock
This place is situated across the Madrasa Bou Inania. I didn’t include this place in the itinerary, but it is a good option if you would do the walk in the opposite direction. Their menu is a combination of both modern and traditional dishes. They also have a rooftop terrace, but the view isn’t as impressive as the one from Palais de Fes Dar Tazi. Make sure to try the camel burger!
Address: 7 Derb el Magana، Rue Talaa Kebira, Fes, Morocco
Places to stay
Riad El Amine
This riad is situated just outside the medina, which made it easier to access. There is a parking lot nearby where you can catch a taxi. The staff working here is extremely helpful and nice. I felt like royalty staying here with my giant princess bed. My room (Kenza Suite) was decorated in traditional Moroccan style with mosaic tiles on the walls and floor, carvings and stained glass windows. The breakfast was delicious and extensive.
Address: 94-96 Bouajjara, Derb Bab Jdid, Fes 30000, Morocco
Book Riad El Amine here
Riad Rcif & Spa
This place looks like a museum. The central courtyard where you can have breakfast, lunch and dinner is so extensively decorated you don’t know where to look first. This riad is absolutely gorgeous. Intricate woodwork, ceramic-tile mosaics, a fountain, arches, … you will find it all here, even in your room! The staff was nice, but I didn’t like the manager. He seemed a bit grumpy and not so nice to his people. But I managed to make him smile one time!
The only downside to this riad is that it is in the middle of the medina and that it is very hard to find! I needed help everytime from locals to find this place.
Address: Avenue Ben Mohamed El Alaoui, N° 1 Takharbicht، Laayoune Rcif
Book Riad Rcif & Spa here
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Book your stay for one day in Fes
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Don’t hesitate to leave comments or questions down below!
Thank you for this informative guide. Very helpful. Can you please tell me what is the expected guide fee, and tipping is required. Also, I read that the guides normally take you to shops and the expectation is that you must purchase. Was that the case with your guide?
Many thanks for your help
Hi!
With Kamal this was not the case.
Make sure to book an official guide (you can often ask your hotel/riad to book one for you) and just make clear you are not interested in shops and what you are interested in.
If you are interested in shops, it is OK to look around, but no one can ever force you to buy anything.
I don’t know the guide rates, it depends on how long the tour is and which guide you have.
Just discuss prices before hand, so there can be no discussion at the end of the tour.
I hope this info helps you!
Maybe I’ll add this in the article later! Thanks for your feedback 🙂
Beautiful article about fes city! very informative.
Dear,
I’m going to Marocco next month for about 7 days with 2 children. I had contact many travel agencies and last I found with good price is this UrExcurxion we have paied them 500USD as a deposit do you think travel with a travel agency is the best choice.
Anna
Hi Anna,
I mostly organize all my trips myself so I wouldn’t know.
Such a beautiful article and well explained the experience of your one day in fes morocco!! Thank you so much for sharing! We are always happy to know that it is a happy experience to be in our country!