0:00
Walk to the tanneries quarter
Your guide leads you through the medina lanes to the tanneries, explaining the craft on the way.
Fes, Morocco· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Leather workshop and tanneries visit
Look down on the stone dye vats of the Chouara tannery in Fes el-Bali, then follow the leather into a nearby workshop where artisans cut and stitch bags, poufs and babouches. You learn how hides are graded and how to tell good leather from poor. Allow about 2–3 hours, mostly on foot.
- Private or small-group
- A local guide with you
- Quoted for your dates
What it's like
The tanneries are the most photographed sight in Fes and one of the oldest working industries in the medina. At Chouara, beside the river, hides are softened, then dyed in a honeycomb of stone vats, and the work is still done largely by hand. Sidi Moussa is a smaller, quieter tannery in the same old city. You see them from the terraces of the leather shops that ring the pits.
Most visitors stop at the view. This visit follows the leather further, into a workshop where artisans cut, stitch and finish bags, poufs, jackets and babouches, the pointed Moroccan slippers. You see how the hides are graded, how a babouche is made, and how to tell good leather from poor.
Best for: First-time visitors to Fes; Anyone planning to buy leather in Morocco; Photographers wanting the classic tannery view.
- How long
- About 2–3 hours
- Where
- The tanneries quarter of Fes el-Bali and a leather workshop nearby
- How active
- Some walking
- Families
- Children welcome
How it runs
A typical running order. Timings shift with your group, the season and the day of the week.
0:30
The terrace view
From a leather-shop terrace, watch the tanners at work in the vats. A sprig of fresh mint helps with the smell.
1:00
How the hides are worked
Learn the stages: soaking and softening the hides, then dyeing, drying in the sun and finishing.
1:20
Into a leather workshop
See artisans cutting patterns, stitching and finishing bags and babouches by hand.
2:00
Telling good leather
Your guide shows you how to judge stitching, thickness and finish, useful if you plan to buy anywhere in Morocco.
Up close
Chouara tannery
The largest and best known of the Fes tanneries, a field of stone dye vats beside the river in Fes el-Bali.
Sidi Moussa tannery
A smaller, quieter working tannery in the old city, worth adding for a less crowded view.
Babouches
Soft, pointed leather slippers, stitched by hand in the medina in dozens of colours.
Private or small-group
Private
Your party with a guide, at your pace, with time to linger at the terrace and the workshop. Easily added to a medina tour.
Small-group
A guided walk with a few other travellers, following the same route.
Practical notes
Late morning is usually the best time to see the vats in use. The walk involves stairs up to the terraces and uneven lanes. Expect the leather shops to invite you to browse; there is no obligation to buy.
Good to know
The smell is strong but bearable; you are given mint to hold. Viewing terraces belong to leather shops, which is how access works. Wear shoes with grip; the lanes can be wet.
Before you knock
The questions people ask us most before they plan a trip.
Which tannery should I see in Fes?
Chouara is the largest and most famous. Sidi Moussa is smaller and quieter. On a private visit we can show you both.
Does the tannery smell bad?
Yes, the smell of the hides is strong, especially in summer. Shops hand out mint sprigs to hold under your nose, and most people find it fine after a few minutes.
Do I have to buy leather?
No. The terraces belong to leather shops, and they will invite you to browse, but there is no obligation. Your guide can help you judge quality if you do want to buy.
Pair it with
Zellige mosaic workshopWatch master cutters chip glazed tiles into geometric pieces by hand, then try the hammer yourself and set a small mosaic of your own.See how it runs
Medina photography walkGates, fountains, dye vats and rooftops in the best light, with a local guide who knows the angles and how to photograph people respectfully.See how it runs
Weaving & Fassi stitchSit at a loom with a weaver, then learn the terz fassi, the double-sided Fes embroidery stitched so the back looks the same as the front.See how it runsRead before you go: The best way to see the Chouara tannery, Shopping in the souks.
Send your dates. We'll fit this into your Fes days.
- Tell us what drew you in. Your dates, who is travelling and what you want to see.
- A person reads it. We write a day-by-day plan for your group, private or small-group.
- You change anything. Then we confirm the guides, drivers and riads.