The Cultural Heart of Morocco
Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and the undisputed cultural and spiritual heart of the country. Founded more than twelve centuries ago, it is home to the best-preserved medieval city in the Arab world, a place where ancient traditions of craft, learning, and faith continue much as they have for a thousand years. For travellers who want to experience the authentic, historic soul of Morocco, Fes is essential, offering an immersive journey back through the centuries.
While Marrakech dazzles with energy and colour, Fes offers something deeper and rarer: a living medieval city of extraordinary atmosphere and heritage. Its labyrinthine medina, historic monuments, living craft traditions, and profound sense of history make it one of the most fascinating destinations in Morocco. Fes is also a superb gateway to the Sahara desert, sitting closer to the great dunes than Marrakech. In this travel guide, we explore the best things to do in Fes, so you can make the most of your visit. Few cities anywhere in the world offer such an authentic and complete window into the medieval past, and for travellers seeking the real, historic soul of Morocco, Fes is without rival, a city that stays with you long after you leave. Our 9 Days Stargazing Morocco Tour from Casablanca includes time to discover the wonders of Fes.
Exploring the Medieval Medina
The heart of Fes and its greatest treasure is Fes el-Bali, the old walled medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest car-free urban area in the world. Entering through one of its grand gates, such as the magnificent blue-tiled Bab Boujloud, is like stepping into another century. The medina is a labyrinth of thousands of narrow, winding alleys where donkeys carry goods, artisans work by hand, and the scents of spices, leather, and fresh bread fill the air.
Exploring the medina is an immersive, sensory experience unlike anywhere else, a functioning medieval city home to tens of thousands of residents living much as their ancestors did. Because the maze is so complex, a local guide is highly recommended to help you navigate and understand what you are seeing, though getting a little lost is part of the magic. The Fes medina is the single most compelling reason to visit the city, a genuine living relic of the medieval world, and it rewards curiosity at every turn with hidden workshops, historic fountains, and unexpected corners. Our 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour allows time to explore this extraordinary place.
The Famous Tanneries
Among the most famous and unforgettable sights in Fes are the Chouara tanneries, one of the oldest in the world, where leather has been produced using traditional methods for nearly a thousand years. Viewed from the balconies of surrounding leather shops, the tanneries present an extraordinary spectacle: a honeycomb of stone vats filled with natural dyes in vivid shades, where workers process animal hides by hand exactly as they have for centuries.
The scene is a riot of colour and a genuine glimpse into a craft tradition that has endured for generations. The powerful smell is part of the experience, and shopkeepers often offer a sprig of mint to hold to your nose. Visiting the tanneries also gives you the chance to browse and buy high-quality leather goods, from jackets and bags to poufs and slippers. It is a sensory experience unlike any other and a highlight of any visit to Fes. Our 5 Days Fes to Marrakech Stargazing Tour can include a guided visit to the tanneries.
Madrasas and Historic Monuments
Fes is home to several stunning madrasas, or Islamic colleges, which rank among the most beautiful buildings in Morocco. The Bou Inania Madrasa, dating from the fourteenth century, is the grandest, with breathtaking carved cedar woodwork, sculpted plaster, and dazzling zellij tilework covering every surface, and it is open to non-Muslim visitors. The Al-Attarine Madrasa is another exquisite jewel, smaller but equally beautiful, rewarding close inspection.
Fes is also home to the al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 and recognised as the oldest continuously operating university in the world, along with numerous historic mosques, fountains, and gates. These monuments reveal the city’s enduring role as a centre of learning, faith, and craftsmanship. Exploring the madrasas and historic sites offers a peaceful, contemplative contrast to the bustling streets and reveals the sophistication of Moroccan Islamic art and architecture. Our 3 Days Fes to Marrakech Stargazing Tour can guide you to the city’s historic monuments.
Crafts, Souks, and Cuisine
Fes is renowned throughout Morocco for the quality of its handicrafts, and the souks of the medina are a treasure trove of traditional crafts and a feast for the senses. Organised by trade, the markets wind through the medina, with areas for coppersmiths, spices, textiles, ceramics, woodwork, and leather. Watching artisans at work, using techniques passed down through generations, is one of the most authentic experiences the city offers, and the souks are excellent for finding genuine, handmade souvenirs.
Fes is also famous for its cuisine, considered among the finest in Morocco, with rich tagines, savoury pastilla, and traditional dishes to enjoy in atmospheric restaurants and riads. Staying in a traditional riad within the medina, with its tranquil courtyard and rooftop views, greatly enhances the experience. The combination of exquisite crafts, wonderful food, and atmospheric accommodation makes Fes a deeply rewarding destination for the senses as well as the mind. Our 9 Days Stargazing Morocco Tour from Casablanca pairs beautifully with time exploring the crafts and cuisine of Fes.
Fes as a Gateway to the Sahara
Beyond its own considerable attractions, Fes is an excellent base for reaching the Sahara desert, and in particular for a stargazing tour. Fes sits closer to the great dunes of Erg Chebbi at Merzouga than Marrakech does, making it a superb starting point. From Fes, you can travel south through the Middle Atlas cedar forests and the beautiful Ziz Valley to reach the desert, either as a round trip or as a one-way journey to Marrakech.
This makes Fes an ideal place to combine culture and adventure. You can spend a day or two immersed in the city’s medieval medina and historic sights, then set off into the desert for a camel trek and a night of stargazing beneath a sky full of stars. Many travellers structure their Morocco trip to include Fes precisely because it offers both a profound cultural experience and convenient access to the Sahara. Our 3 Days Fes to Merzouga Desert Tour connects the cultural riches of Fes with the magic of the desert.
Making the Most of Fes
To do Fes justice, plan to spend at least a full day exploring the city, and ideally two, which allows time to wander the medina with a guide, visit the madrasas and tanneries, and absorb the atmosphere at a relaxed pace. Because the medina is so labyrinthine and its history so rich, a local guide is highly recommended, transforming a potentially bewildering experience into a fascinating one. Staying in a traditional riad within the medina adds to the magic.
Fes combines beautifully with the rest of Morocco: with the Sahara desert to the south, the blue city of Chefchaouen and Tangier to the north, and Marrakech via the classic desert route. Including Fes ensures you experience the authentic, historic heart of Morocco alongside its natural wonders. It is a city that rewards curiosity and leaves a lasting impression. To plan your Fes visit and combine it with a desert stargazing tour, use the booking button below, and saharastargazing will craft the perfect itinerary for you. Whether you are drawn by its living history, its extraordinary crafts, its cuisine, or simply the atmosphere of its ancient streets, Fes rewards curiosity at every turn and offers one of the most immersive cultural experiences in all of Morocco. Our 5 Days Fes to Marrakech Stargazing Tour makes an ideal complement to your time in Fes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Fes?
The best things include exploring the medieval medina of Fes el-Bali, visiting the Chouara tanneries, admiring the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, seeing the al-Qarawiyyin university, and browsing the craft souks, all within the world’s largest car-free medina.
How many days do you need in Fes?
At least a full day, ideally two, to explore the medina with a guide, visit the tanneries and madrasas, and absorb the atmosphere at a relaxed pace. The labyrinthine medina and rich history reward unhurried exploration.
Do I need a guide in the Fes medina?
Highly recommended. The medina’s thousands of narrow alleys are genuinely maze-like, and a local guide transforms a bewildering experience into a fascinating one, adding history and context while helping you navigate the world’s largest car-free urban area.
Can you reach the Sahara for stargazing from Fes?
Yes. Fes sits closer to the Merzouga dunes than Marrakech, making it a superb base for a stargazing tour. You travel south via the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley to the desert, as a round trip or a one-way journey to Marrakech.
Useful Resources
For more background on the destinations and experiences mentioned in this guide, explore these authoritative resources: Gnawa music — Wikipedia, Medina of Marrakesh — UNESCO World Heritage, Merzouga — Wikipedia, and Riad (architecture) — Wikipedia.
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