Fes

Urban Riverfront

Population: 1 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: August

Famous For: Medina of Fes (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Fes el-Bali (ancient walled city), Leather tanneries, Islamic architecture, Traditional crafts, Moroccan cuisine, Al Quaraouiyine University (oldest continuously operating university in the world)

Train Access: Yes (ONCF (Office National des Chemins de Fer))

Bus Access: Yes (STCF (Société de Transport Collectif de Fès), CTM (Compagnie de Transports au Maroc))

Fes is home to the Medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow winding streets, traditional riads, and the famous leather tanneries where artisans have worked for centuries using centuries-old methods. The Al-Quaraouiyine Mosque and University, founded in 859 CE, stands as one of the world's oldest continuously operating universities and dominates the spiritual and intellectual heart of the old city. The Bab Boujloud gate marks the main entrance to the medina, where visitors encounter the Souk el-Attarine (spice market) and countless workshops producing traditional Moroccan crafts. Fes el-Jdid, the newer medina built in the 13th century, contains the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter (Mellah), offering a different perspective on the city's layered history. The Borj Nord fortress overlooks the entire medina from the north and provides panoramic views of the terracotta rooftops and the surrounding Atlas Mountains.

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Planning Your Trip to Fes

Weather: Fes experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Temperatures can vary significantly between seasons, with summer highs reaching the 80s-90s Fahrenheit and winter temperatures dropping to the 40s-50s Fahrenheit.

Festivals: Fes Festival of World Sacred Music (typically May), Fes Marathon (typically November)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Children can enjoy a pottery workshop in the Fes pottery district, learning to create traditional ceramics, or take a donkey ride through the historic medina.

Hidden Gem: The Chouara Tannery (Tannerie Chouara) is less crowded than the more famous Sidi Moussa tannery and offers an equally authentic view of leather production in massive stone vats using natural dyes and traditional techniques passed down through generations. Visitors can watch artisans work from the surrounding rooftop cafés while sipping mint tea, and the tannery's location in the quieter section of the medina makes it a more intimate experience.

Accessibility: The medina of Fes el-Bali presents significant accessibility challenges due to steep, narrow cobblestone streets and numerous stairs throughout the old city; wheelchair navigation is extremely difficult or impossible in most areas. The newer ville nouvelle district and some hotels like Palais Jamai have better accessibility infrastructure, though specific accessible routes and facilities within the medina are limited.

For the Runner: The Jnan Sbil Gardens provide a serene environment for walking, while the open spaces outside the medina walls are suitable for running with less foot traffic.

Restaurants in Fes

Fes offers a rich culinary scene with traditional Moroccan cuisine prominently featured, including tagines, couscous, and pastilla in both casual riads and established restaurants. The medina contains numerous family-run eateries and cafes serving authentic local dishes, while newer establishments cater to international visitors. Dining experiences range from street food to upscale restaurants in converted traditional houses.

Where to Stay

Fes accommodations range from budget riads and guesthouses in the medina to mid-range hotels in Fes el-Jdid and upscale properties in the newer ville nouvelle district. Many traditional riads have been converted into intimate boutique hotels, while the ville nouvelle offers modern chain hotels and contemporary properties with amenities like pools and spas.

Best Hotels: Riad Fes - Relais & Châteaux is a luxury property in the medina featuring a restored 17th-century palace with a central courtyard, traditional zellige

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Riad Le Calife, Riad Anata, Riad Taha

Fes

Planning Your Trip to Fes

Restaurants in Fes

Where to Stay

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