Fez el-Bali (Old Medina)

Fez, Morocco

The vast medieval walled city, a UNESCO maze of souks, madrasas, mosques and the famous tanneries, entered through the blue Bab Boujloud gate. The soul of…

Explore Fez

Fez — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Fez — TL;DR

Fez is Morocco's spiritual and intellectual heart, home to the largest car-free urban area on earth: the Fez el-Bali medina, a UNESCO-listed labyrinth of 9,000 lanes where donkeys still carry loads past medieval madrasas, tanneries dyeing leather as they have for a thousand years

Fez at a glance

What are the best things to do in Fez? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Fez trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Fez? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Fez — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Fez? March to May and September to November for warm, comfortable days ideal for the medina.
Where should I stay in Fez for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Fez? The medina is entirely pedestrian — you walk, and you will get lost (embrace it, or hire a guide).

Fez overview

March to May and September to November for warm, comfortable days ideal for the medina. Summer is scorching; winter cool and quiet. The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in spring is extraordinary.
The medina is entirely pedestrian — you walk, and you will get lost (embrace it, or hire a guide). Petit taxis serve the new city and medina gates. The train links Fez to Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. A guide for the first medina day is well worth it.
Moroccan Dirham (DH)
Arabic and Amazigh. French is widespread; English in tourism.
UTC+1
A wave of restored riad guesthouses and rooftop restaurants; a small but growing crop of chef-led and international dining in the medina; artisan cooperatives reviving traditional crafts; and cultural tourism deepening beyond the day-trip circuit.

Where to eat, drink & do in Fez

Fez neighborhoods

Fez el-Bali (Old Medina) The vast medieval walled city, a UNESCO maze of souks, madrasas, mosques and the famous tanneries, entered through the blue Bab Boujloud gate. The soul of Fez.
Fez el-Jdid The 'new' 13th-century quarter, home to the royal palace, the old Jewish Mellah and its synagogue, quieter than the main medina. A different historical layer.
Ville Nouvelle The French-built modern city of boulevards, cafés and shops, where much of local life and the better bars now happen. The contemporary counterpoint.
The hills & Merinid Tombs The ridges above the medina, crowned by the ruined Merinid Tombs, with the classic panoramic view over the sea of rooftops. Best at sunset.

Practical info for Fez

Getting around in Fez? The medina is entirely pedestrian — you walk, and you will get lost (embrace it, or hire a guide). Petit taxis serve the new city and medina gates. The train links Fez to Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier.
When to go in Fez? March to May and September to November for warm, comfortable days ideal for the medina. Summer is scorching; winter cool and quiet. The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in spring is extraordinary.
What's changing now in Fez? A wave of restored riad guesthouses and rooftop restaurants; a small but growing crop of chef-led and international dining in the medina; artisan cooperatives reviving traditional crafts; and cultural tourism deepening beyond the day-trip c
Seek out The medina at dawn in Fez? Before the crowds and the heat, the medina lanes are quiet and cool, filled only with bread-carriers and cats. The most magical time to wander and get lost.
Base yourself in Fez el-Bali (Old Medina) in Fez? The vast medieval walled city, a UNESCO maze of souks, madrasas, mosques and the famous tanneries, entered through the blue Bab Boujloud gate. The soul of Fez. Known for medina, souks, tanneries, history.

Frequently asked questions about Fez

What are the best things to do in Fez? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Fez trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Fez tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Fez? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Fez — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Fez? March to May and September to November for warm, comfortable days ideal for the medina. Summer is scorching; winter cool and quiet. The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in spring is extraordinary.
Where should I stay in Fez for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Fez? The medina is entirely pedestrian — you walk, and you will get lost (embrace it, or hire a guide). Petit taxis serve the new city and medina gates. The train links Fez to Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. A guide for the first medina day is well worth it.

Practical notes for Fez

Best time to visit: March to May and September to November for warm, comfortable days ideal for the medina. Summer is scorching; winter cool and quiet. The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in spring is extraordinary.
Getting around: The medina is entirely pedestrian — you walk, and you will get lost (embrace it, or hire a guide). Petit taxis serve the new city and medina gates. The train links Fez to Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier. A guide for the first medina day is well worth it.
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (DH)
Language: Arabic and Amazigh. French is widespread; English in tourism.
Timezone: UTC+1
Current trends: A wave of restored riad guesthouses and rooftop restaurants; a small but growing crop of chef-led and international dining in the medina; artisan cooperatives reviving traditional crafts; and cultural tourism deepening beyond the day-trip circuit.

Other neighborhoods in Fez

Fez el-Jdid — The 'new' 13th-century quarter, home to the royal palace, the old Jewish Mellah and its synagogue, quieter than the main medina. A different historical layer.
Ville Nouvelle — The French-built modern city of boulevards, cafés and shops, where much of local life and the better bars now happen. The contemporary counterpoint.
The hills & Merinid Tombs — The ridges above the medina, crowned by the ruined Merinid Tombs, with the classic panoramic view over the sea of rooftops. Best at sunset.

Read the full Fez guide