Fes is Morocco’s oldest and most complex Imperial City — a living medieval metropolis that has operated continuously for over 1,200 years. The medina of Fes el-Bali is the world’s largest car-free urban zone and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. For travelers on Morocco tours, Fes rewards patience and a spirit of genuine exploration. It is a city that defies easy comprehension — its 9,400 alleys, 10,000 workshops, and labyrinthine covered souks make it simultaneously the most disorienting and most exhilarating destination in North Africa.
Getting to Fes
Fes-Saïss Airport (FEZ) has direct connections to European cities including Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Madrid. The airport is located 15 kilometres south of the medina. Trains connect Fes to Casablanca (3.5 hours), Rabat (3 hours), and Tangier (5 hours) via ONCF, Morocco’s national rail network — one of Africa’s best and most reliable. Fes is 340 kilometres northeast of Marrakech (5 hours by road).
Top Attractions in Fes
Chouara Tannery
The Chouara Tannery (also spelled Chouwara) is one of the oldest leather tanneries in the world, in continuous operation since the 11th century. Located in the Andalusian quarter of Fes el-Bali, the tannery consists of a series of stone pots filled with natural dyes (saffron for yellow, poppy for red, indigo for blue, cedarwood ash for white) and chemical agents used to soften and color raw animal hides. The best views of the tannery are from the surrounding leather goods shops, which offer free access to their rooftop terraces in exchange for a browse of their products. The smell is powerful — shops provide sprigs of fresh mint to hold under your nose.
Bou Inania Madrasa
The Bou Inania Madrasa, built between 1350 and 1357 by Sultan Abu Inan Faris, is the only religious building in Fes open to non-Muslim visitors and one of the finest examples of Merinid architectural craftsmanship in Morocco. The madrasa features a stunning central courtyard with a marble floor, a central fountain, carved cedarwood upper walls, geometric zellij tile dado, and intricate stucco stalactite ceilings. The prayer hall is open for viewing. Admission: MAD 70.
University of al-Qarawiyyin
Founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest continuously operating university. Originally a mosque and madrasa, it became a full university offering instruction in theology, grammar, rhetoric, logic, and astronomy. The building is not open to non-Muslims, but the main entrance and surrounding neighborhood (the Qarawiyyin quarter) are part of any Fes medina walking tour.
Navigating the Fes Medina
Navigating the Fes medina independently is genuinely challenging — and part of the charm. Google Maps works reasonably well in Fes el-Bali. The main artery is Talaa Kebira (the main street leading from Bab Bou Jeloud, the medina’s main gate, down through the souk). The medina is divided into the older Fes el-Bali (founded 789 AD) and the newer Fes el-Jdid (founded 1276 AD). Most visitors hire a licensed local guide for their first day — rates are approximately MAD 250 to 400 for a half-day guided tour (EUR 23 to 37).
Fes Day Trips
Fes is an excellent base for day trips. See the related article: Fes Day Trips — the complete guide to excursions from Fes including Meknes, Volubilis, Chefchaouen, and the Cedar Forests of the Middle Atlas.
