Fes Tours & Travel Guide
Fes is the oldest of Morocco's four imperial cities and home to Fes el-Bali, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Founded in the 9th century, it holds the al-Qarawiyyin — recognised as the world's oldest continuously operating university — along with the Chouara tanneries and the Bou Inania Madrasa. Two days is the usual stay.
- Region
- Fès-Meknès
- Suggested stay
- 2 days
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October. Fes sits inland and gets hotter than the coast in summer, with cold, wet spells in winter.
About Fes
Fes el-Bali is a genuine maze: several thousand alleys, most too narrow for vehicles, with goods still moved by handcart and mule. This is the main practical difference between Fes and Marrakech — Fes feels less adapted to tourism, which is exactly why many travellers prefer it. A local guide is close to essential on a first visit, not for safety but for navigation.
The Chouara tanneries are the city's signature sight, worked by hand with methods largely unchanged since the medieval period. Surrounding leather shops let visitors onto their terraces for the view. The Bou Inania and al-Attarine madrasas show Marinid-era craftsmanship at its peak, and the Dar Batha museum holds the city's ceramics collection — Fes blue pottery is made nowhere else.
Fes works well as the northern anchor of a Morocco circuit. From here it is a straightforward drive to Chefchaouen in the Rif, to Meknes and the Roman ruins at Volubilis, or south through the Middle Atlas cedar forests towards Merzouga and the Sahara.
What to see in Fes
- Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Chouara tanneries, viewed from the leather-shop terraces
- Al-Qarawiyyin mosque and university
- Bou Inania and al-Attarine madrasas
- Bab Bou Jeloud, the blue gate
- Fes blue ceramics and traditional zellige workshops
Tours that include Fes
All private and fully customisable — durations and routes can be adjusted.
Morocco Imperial Cities Tour: Casablanca to Marrakech
Explore Morocco's contemporary and historic cities on an eight-day journey that begins and ends in Casablanca, the country's economic hub. Travel north to see the capital city of Rabat, take in the sunset over the blue city of Chefchaoeun, visit artisan workshops in the cultural center of Fes, and travel back in time to the Roman era at Volubilis. Finish in bustling Marrakech and explore Jemaa el-Fna, Africa's busiest plaza.
Northern Morocco: A 5-Day Imperial Cities Tour
Five days is all you need to discover why Morocco's imperial north has been captivating travelers for centuries. This efficiently designed private tour takes you from Casablanca's Atlantic coastline through the capital city of Rabat, up into the dreamlike blue streets of Chefchaouen, past the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and deep into the medieval soul of Fes. There's no desert, no long cross-country drives — just the rich, concentrated history and culture of northern Morocco, at a pace that lets you breathe it in. Perfect for first-time visitors or anyone with limited time who refuses to compromise on depth.
9 Days from Casablanca: The Itinerary That First-Timers Trust Most
Experience the magic of Morocco on this unforgettable Morocco desert tour from Casablanca to Marrakech. Journey through ancient imperial cities, sleep under desert stars during the best Morocco desert tour with camel trekking, and discover authentic Berber culture in remote mountain villages. This carefully crafted imperial cities and Sahara desert experience combines Morocco's greatest highlights with intimate cultural encounters, perfect for travelers seeking both adventure and authenticity in one incredible journey.
Casablanca to the Sahara: 10 Days of Private Morocco with a Local Guide
Morocco is one of those countries where the difference between a great trip and an overwhelming one comes down entirely to who's guiding you. This 10-day private journey from Casablanca is built around that insight. From the moment your flight lands, a dedicated English-speaking driver and local experts in Fes and Marrakech handle every detail — so you can focus entirely on what's in front of you. You'll walk the blue-washed alleys of Chefchaouen, get lost in the ancient 9,000-street labyrinth of Fes medina, ride a camel into the Sahara at sunset, sleep under the stars at a luxury desert camp, and finish in the electric heart of Marrakech. Ten days, one seamless private journey — Morocco the way it was meant to be experienced.
Fes to Marrakech in 6 Days: Medinas, Sahara & Spice Markets
Six days is enough time to fall completely in love with Morocco — if you take the right route. This carefully crafted journey connects three of the country's most iconic worlds: the medieval labyrinth of Fes, the golden silence of the Sahara desert, and the electric energy of Marrakech. You'll ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, sleep under a sky full of stars at a luxury desert camp, and wake up to cross the High Atlas Mountains toward the Red City. Fast-paced but never rushed — this is Morocco's greatest hits, done properly.
Morocco Tour from Casablanca: North, Desert & Coast
This is the tour for travelers who want to leave Casablanca's airport and return having seen everything. Over 12 days, your private driver takes you on a complete loop through the Kingdom — north to Tangier's cosmopolitan medina, into Chefchaouen's blue mountain calm, through the ancient alleys of Fes, south across the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, through the kasbahs and gorges of the south, into Marrakech's electric energy, and finally west to the windswept Atlantic coast of Essaouira before returning to Casablanca. No connecting flights, no logistical stress. Just one seamless, private journey through all of Morocco.
Fes: common questions
Is Fes or Marrakech better to visit?
They serve different appetites. Marrakech is livelier, better set up for visitors and closer to the desert and mountain routes. Fes is older, denser and more intact — the better choice if your interest is history, craft and architecture. Most of our longer circuits include both.
Do you need a guide in the Fes medina?
For a first visit, we strongly recommend one. Fes el-Bali has thousands of unnamed alleys and mapping apps lose signal between the walls. A licensed guide also gets you into workshops and terraces you would otherwise walk straight past.
How far is Fes from Chefchaouen?
About 200 km, or four hours by road through the Rif Mountains. It is a common leg on northern circuits and easily done in a morning.
Often combined with
Want Fes in your itinerary?
Tell us your dates and we'll build a private route around it — free proposal within 48 hours, no obligation.