Things to do · Fes
With only one day in Fes, the goal is to see the medieval medina's great landmarks in a sensible, walkable order rather than chase everything. This route starts at the Blue Gate, threads down through the souks to the spiritual heart of Fes el-Bali, takes in the tannery and the woodwork museum, and finishes at a hilltop viewpoint for sunset. Because Fes el-Bali is the world's largest car-free medina and famously easy to get lost in, going with a local guide for at least the medina section makes a single day far less stressful and far more rewarding.
10 experiences
Begin at the early-20th-century Blue Gate, the medina's most photographed entrance — blue zellij tilework on the outer face, green on the inner. It opens onto the two main arteries, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira, so it is the natural starting point for a day on foot.
Just inside the gate area, this 14th-century Marinid college is one of the few religious buildings in Fes open to non-Muslims. Its marble courtyard, carved cedar, stucco and zellij are among the finest in the city — a calm, beautiful first stop before the souks get busy.
Follow Talaa Kebira, the medina's main downhill street, through the working souks. You pass spice and food stalls, metalworkers, weavers and craftsmen at work — the everyday life of the medina — as the lane descends toward the Kairaouine quarter.
Founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, Al-Qarawiyyin is recognised as the oldest existing, continually operating university in the world and the spiritual heart of the medina. Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall but can glimpse the courtyard from its doorways.
Beside the Kairaouine, by the spice and perfume market that gives it its name, this small 14th-century medersa is considered one of the most beautiful in Morocco — intricate tilework, carved stucco and a cedar canopy in a tiny, exquisite courtyard.
A beautifully tiled fountain stands beside the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in a restored funduq (merchants' inn). It is a quiet stop with displays of traditional woodwork and a rooftop terrace with a fine view over the rooftops.
The largest of the city's medieval tanneries is best seen from the rooftop terraces of the leather shops around it, looking down on the honeycomb of stone dye pits. You are usually handed a sprig of mint to soften the strong smell of the natural dyeing process.
Break the day with lunch at one of the medina's rooftop restaurants or a traditional riad. Fassi cooking is among Morocco's most refined — a tagine, a bowl of harira or a pastilla over a view of the old city is a good way to rest your feet.
The coppersmiths' and brassworkers' square, where artisans still hammer pots, trays and pans by hand under a great plane tree. The ringing of the metalworkers is one of the most atmospheric sounds of the medina, and an easy detour near the Kairaouine.
End the day above the medina at the Borj Nord fortress or the ruined Merenid Tombs on the northern hillside. From here the whole of Fes el-Bali spreads out below, and the call to prayer rising across the city at sunset is an unforgettable close to the day.
Yes — one full day is enough to cover the highlights of Fes el-Bali on foot: the Blue Gate, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine medersas, Al-Qarawiyyin, the Nejjarine museum, the Chouara tannery viewpoint, Seffarine Square, and a hilltop viewpoint for sunset. You will not see everything, but you will see the essentials in a sensible walking order.
For a single day it is strongly recommended. Fes el-Bali is the world's largest car-free medina, with thousands of unmarked lanes, and it is genuinely easy to get lost. A local guide keeps the route efficient, explains the monuments and crafts, and lets you spend your limited time seeing rather than navigating.
Al-Qarawiyyin is an active mosque and university, so non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall. You can, however, see its courtyard and ornate doorways from the surrounding lanes, and the building is a key stop on any walk through the heart of the medina.
The Borj Nord fortress and the nearby Merenid Tombs, both on the northern hillside above the medina, give the classic panorama over Fes el-Bali. Arriving toward the end of the afternoon lets you watch the light change over the old city and hear the call to prayer rise across it.
See it with a local
We'll build a private, guided plan around the experiences you care about — with a driver, hand-picked riads and a written quote in 24 hours.
Contact us for pricingMore cities