Fez

Labyrinthine Medina, Living Moroccan Heritage

Fez stands as one of Morocco’s oldest cities, founded over a thousand years ago. Its medina holds narrow lanes lined with shops selling handmade crafts and spices. The city is home to the Al Quaraouiyine University, recognized as one of the world’s earliest centers for learning. Historic sites like the Bou Inania Madrasa showcase intricate tilework and carved wood. Fez remains a place where traditional markets thrive alongside centuries-old mosques and fountains that still draw visitors seeking culture and history.

Add to list Map view

City in Morocco

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 5.5

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	2
Tap water:	4

Read details

3/5

English is spoken in most hotels, riads, and by guides, but less so in local shops and markets. French is widely used. Basic English will get you by in tourist areas, but learning a few words of French or Arabic helps.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 28 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Fez Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Famous for medieval medina culture. Wander maze-like markets, watch traditional crafts, visit historic mosques and experience vibrant street life.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Crafts shopping

Architecture

Historic sites

Guided tours

Traditional culture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 5

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

🕌 10

Halal

❤️ 7

Couples

Morocco – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Moroccan Dirham (MAD) £1 ≈ MAD 13.11
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are increasingly accepted in Morocco, especially in urban areas and tourist destinations. However, cash is still widely used, particularly in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Morocco, with a standard of 10-15% in restaurants. Taxi drivers expect small tips, and hotel staff appreciate a few dirhams for their service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited in Morocco, and it is advisable to consume alcohol in licensed venues such as bars and hotels.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in many public areas, including outdoor cafes and restaurants, but may be restricted in some indoor public places.

Eid al-Fitr (dates vary)	A religious celebration marking the end of Ramadan
Throne Day (30 July)	Celebrating the King’s ascension to the throne

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 19 (Police), 177 (Gendarmerie), 15 (Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Careem
Other:	Morocco offers an exciting mix of cultural experiences, historic sites, and natural beauty. Visitors should prepare for heat and the possibility of basic infrastructure outside major cities.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Fez, Morocco

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	April - May, Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June, Sep., Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset, medina quieter by day and lively after dark

June to August: temperatures regularly above 38°C, medina best explored early morning or evening

Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, usually late May to June

Don't miss

🏘️ Explore the ancient Fes Medina with its winding alleys
👜 Visit the world-famous Chouara Tannery for unique views
🕌 Admire intricate tilework at Bou Inania Madrasa
🚪 Walk through Bab Boujloud, the iconic Blue Gate
🏺 Discover Moroccan art and history at Dar Batha Museum
🌳 Relax at Jnan Sbil Gardens, a peaceful green oasis

You've been here?

Why travel to Fez?

Fez is Morocco’s cultural and spiritual heart, home to the world’s largest and most intact medieval medina. You’ll get lost (literally and figuratively) in its maze of souks, discover centuries-old madrasas and watch the mesmerizing process of leather-making at the iconic tanneries. The city’s history is everywhere, from the Kairaouine Mosque – the oldest university in the world – to the intricate mosaics and hidden gardens. Beyond the medina, you’ll find peaceful parks, panoramic tombs and a more local pace in neighborhoods like Fes El Jdid. But Fez isn’t for everyone: the medina is chaotic, crowded and easy to get lost in. Scams and pickpocketing can happen, especially in touristy areas and the heat in summer can be intense. Still, if you’re up for an adventure and want to experience Morocco at its most authentic, Fez is unforgettable.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Bou Inania Madrasa
2 Madrasa al-Attarine مدرسة العطارين
3 Marinid Tombs
4 Bab Bou Jeloud
5 Chouara Tanneries

🎡Places for activities

1 Souk el Henna

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Jnan Sbil Gardens

🎈Events

Fez Festival of World Sacred Music (June)
Fez Festival of Sufi Culture (October)
Ramadan (dates vary)
Mawazine Festival (regional)
Traditional artisan fairs
Local religious celebrations
Spring Festival in Jnan Sbil
National Independence Day
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Adha

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Hire a licensed guide; the medina is maze-like.
Wear closed shoes in the old city; alleys can be uneven, crowded and slippery.
Expect polite but persistent touts; agree prices upfront for guides, taxis and purchases.
For classic views, visit the Merenid Tombs at golden hour, then explore Bab Boujloud after dark.

How to travel to Fez

Fez is served by Fès–Saïs International Airport, with flights from Europe and Moroccan cities. Taxis and an airport express bus connect the airport to the city center. Trains and long-distance buses link Fez to Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. The main train and bus stations are in the Ville Nouvelle, a short taxi ride from the medina.

Access summary

From Fès–Saïs Airport (FEZ): Line 16 bus or taxi, about 15–40 min.
From Casablanca: Direct trains or intercity buses, usually around 3–4 h.
From Marrakech: Long-distance trains via Casablanca or buses, typically 6–8 h.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Fez

Fez offers everything from luxurious riads in the medina (for atmosphere and tradition) to modern hotels in the Ville Nouvelle. Riads are a highlight, often with beautiful courtyards and rooftop views, but can be tricky to find-ask for directions or arrange pickup. Budget hostels and guesthouses are plentiful, but book ahead in peak seasons.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Barcelo Fes Medina Hotel

8.6

Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace

Dar Bensouda Guest House

9.1

Riad Amor

9.2

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Fez

The medina is best explored on foot, but it’s a true labyrinth – bring a guide, GPS or a good map. Taxis are cheap and easy for longer distances or getting to the Ville Nouvelle. Local buses are reliable for getting around the city, but can be crowded. For day trips, consider organized tours or car hire, but be prepared for aggressive driving and busy streets.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-58 %

Daily expenses in Fez are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MAD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£22	£54	£163
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£23	£60
🍝 Food per day	£12	£28	£95
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£4	£8

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£10.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£4.10
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4
☕ Cappuccino	£1.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£3.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.33
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£4.90
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.05

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£4.30
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£19
🤧 Cold medication	£2
💇 Basic haircut	£1.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Fez is generally safe, but pickpocketing and scams can occur, especially in the medina. Stay alert, keep valuables secure and avoid walking alone at night in deserted areas. Some touts can be persistent — be polite but firm.

Health & Medical

Medical care is available, with clinics and pharmacies in the city. Tap water is not recommended for drinking — use bottled water. Street food is tempting but stick to busy, reputable stalls if you have a sensitive stomach.

Accessibility

The medina’s narrow, uneven streets and many steps can be tough for those with mobility issues. Ville Nouvelle and main roads are more accessible. Some riads and attractions lack ramps or lifts — check ahead if accessibility is a concern.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is cheap and widely available. Public fountains are rare — carry a refillable bottle and stay hydrated, especially in summer.