Things to do · Fes
Fes can feel intense for younger travellers — the medina is a busy, narrow maze — but the city pairs that history with green spaces, big viewpoints and hands-on crafts that children enjoy. With a little planning (and an easy day trip into the cedar forest), Fes makes a memorable family stop.
9 experiences
Historic royal gardens between the old and new medinas, with shaded paths, tall palms, a central lake and water features. The wide, flat walkways and open space make it an easy place for children to stretch their legs away from the crowds.
The 9th-century UNESCO-listed old town is the world's largest car-free medina. Its lanes are narrow and busy, so keep children close and consider a shorter, guided loop — it is fascinating, but best explored in small doses with little ones.
A 16th-century fortress on the hills north of the medina, now an arms museum, with a sweeping panorama over the whole old city. The open hilltop and big view make it an easy, rewarding stop for families.
The medina's famous gate is covered in blue zellige tiles on the outside and green on the inside. It is a bright, photogenic landmark that helps children orient themselves at the entrance to the old city.
Fes is famed for its blue ceramics and hand-cut zellige mosaic. A visit to a pottery cooperative lets children watch potters shape clay on the wheel and artisans chisel tiles by hand — a hands-on, memorable craft experience.
The ruined hilltop tombs of the Merenid dynasty give the best panorama over Fes, with the whole medina spread out below. The walk up is short and the open hillside is a good spot to take in the city, especially near sunset.
View the famous Chouara tannery's honeycomb of stone dye pits from the terrace of a surrounding leather shop. Shopkeepers usually offer a sprig of mint to hold against the strong smell — children often find the whole scene fascinating.
An hour or so south, Ifrane is a tidy alpine-style town of pitched roofs and gardens, cool and green in summer. Its famous stone lion statue and open parks make it a relaxed, family-friendly contrast to the medina.
Near Ifrane and Azrou, the Middle Atlas cedar forest is home to troops of wild Barbary macaques. Spotting the monkeys among the great cedars is a highlight for children — admire them from a respectful distance rather than feeding them.
Yes, with a little planning. The medina's lanes are narrow and busy, so families often balance shorter guided medina walks with green spaces such as Jnan Sbil, big viewpoints, hands-on craft workshops and an easy day trip to Ifrane and the cedar forest.
Ifrane, often called the 'Switzerland of Morocco', is a popular family day trip — a cool, green alpine-style town about an hour south. It pairs well with the nearby Middle Atlas cedar forest, where children can see wild Barbary macaques.
Yes. The Chouara tannery is viewed from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops rather than at ground level, so it is safe to watch from above. The dyeing process has a strong smell, and shopkeepers usually offer a sprig of mint to help.
It helps. The medina's thousands of unmarked lanes are easy to get lost in, and a licensed local guide can set an easy pace, keep the route manageable for children and add context to the crafts and history along the way.
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