Fes feels like stepping back several centuries. Its old town, Fes el-Bali, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world – thousands of lanes where donkeys still carry goods, craftsmen hammer copper and the smell of cedar and leather fills the air. It’s intense, but with a plan you can see the highlights in one day.
This is my one-day Fes itinerary for 2027, with entry prices and tips for not getting lost. For the rest of the country, see my Morocco travel guide; from Fes it’s an easy trip to Chefchaouen or Rabat.
Fes at a glance
- Best for: medieval medina life, madrasas, crafts and the famous tanneries
- Getting there: trains from Rabat (around 3 hours), Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakech; Fes–Saïss airport is about 15 km away
- Getting around: on foot inside the medina – it’s car-free; petit taxis to and from the gates
- Key prices: Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas 20 MAD each, Dar Batha museum 60 MAD (closed Mondays), Nejjarine museum 30 MAD
- Tip: hire a licensed guide for the first few hours – the medina is a maze
- UNESCO: the medina of Fes is a World Heritage Site
My one-day Fes itinerary
| Time | Stop | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) | The classic entrance to Fes el-Bali |
| 09:30 | Bou Inania Madrasa | Carved cedar, stucco and zellige |
| 10:30 | Talaa Kebira & the souks | The main street through the medina |
| 12:00 | Al-Attarine Madrasa & Al-Qarawiyyin | Peek into the ancient university |
| 13:00 | Lunch in the medina | Try pastilla, a Fes speciality |
| 14:30 | Chouara Tannery | View the dye pits from a terrace |
| 16:00 | Nejjarine & Seffarine squares | Woodwork museum and coppersmiths |
| 18:00 | Merinid Tombs viewpoint | Sunset over the whole medina |
Morning: Bab Bou Jeloud and the Bou Inania Madrasa
Enter Fes el-Bali through Bab Bou Jeloud, the ornate Blue Gate – blue tiles on the outside, green on the inside. A few steps in, the Bou Inania Madrasa (20 MAD) is one of the finest examples of Merinid architecture, with intricate carved cedar, stucco and tilework around a marble courtyard.
Late morning: Talaa Kebira and the souks
Follow Talaa Kebira, the main street that runs downhill through the medina. You’ll pass bakeries, butchers, spice shops, sweet sellers and stalls of every craft. Step aside when you hear “balak!” – it means a donkey or cart is coming through.
Midday: Al-Attarine Madrasa and Al-Qarawiyyin
Near the centre of the medina, the Al-Attarine Madrasa (20 MAD) is small but exquisite. Right next door is Al-Qarawiyyin, often called the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Non-Muslims can’t enter the mosque, but you can glimpse its courtyard through the open doors.
Lunch: pastilla
Fes is famous for pastilla, a flaky pastry pie traditionally filled with pigeon or chicken, almonds and cinnamon, dusted with sugar. Order it at one of the small restaurants in the medina along with a tagine and mint tea.
Afternoon: the Chouara Tannery
The Chouara Tannery is the most photographed sight in Fes: honeycomb pits of dye where leather is still processed by hand, as it has been for centuries. You view it from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops – entry is usually free, but expect a sales pitch and a small tip for the person who shows you up. They’ll hand you a sprig of mint for the smell.
Late afternoon: Nejjarine and Seffarine
Visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts (30 MAD) in a beautiful old caravanserai, then listen to the hammering of the coppersmiths on Place Seffarine.
Sunset: the Merinid Tombs
Take a taxi up to the Merinid Tombs or the Borj Nord fortress on the hill above the medina. At sunset you can see the whole of Fes el-Bali spread below you and hear the calls to prayer echo across the valley – the perfect ending to the day.
How to get to Fes
- From Rabat: regular trains take around 3 hours.
- From Tangier: combine Al Boraq to Kenitra or Rabat with a connecting train.
- From Marrakech: the direct train is long (around 7 hours) – many people stop in Rabat or Casablanca.
- From Chefchaouen: about 4 hours by CTM bus or private transfer – read my Chefchaouen guide.
- By air: Fes–Saïss airport has direct flights from several European cities.
Tips for the Fes medina
- Use a licensed guide (through your riad or a trusted platform) for your first visit; ignore unofficial ones who offer to “show you the way”.
- Download an offline map – GPS works in the medina, but signal can drop between the high walls.
- Remember a few landmarks like Bab Bou Jeloud, Talaa Kebira and Place Seffarine.
- Fridays are quieter, as many shops close for prayers.
- Dress modestly – Fes is a traditional, religious city.
More one-day trips in Morocco
From Fes, head north to Chefchaouen or west to Rabat. In the south, plan 3 days in Marrakech and a day on the coast in Essaouira. All my guides are in the Morocco travel guide.
Chefchaouen in one dayThe Blue Pearl: blue lanes, rooftop breakfasts and a sunset viewpoint.
Marrakech in 3 daysSouks, palaces, Jardin Majorelle and how to avoid scams.
Rabat in one dayThe Kasbah of the Udayas, Hassan Tower and a relaxed medina.
Essaouira in one dayBlue boats, ocean ramparts and horse riding on the beach.Work with me
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Work with me Get in touchFes FAQ
Is one day in Fes enough?
One day is enough for the highlights: Bab Bou Jeloud, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the souks, the Chouara Tannery and the sunset view from the Merinid Tombs. Two days let you explore at a slower pace.
Do I need a guide in Fes?
It’s not required, but a licensed guide makes your first visit to the medina much easier and helps you avoid unofficial guides. Book through your riad or a trusted platform.
How much does it cost to visit the Fes tanneries?
Viewing the Chouara Tannery from the leather shop terraces is usually free, but you’ll get a sales pitch and should tip the person who takes you up.
How much are the madrasas in Fes?
The Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas cost 20 MAD each; the Nejjarine museum is 30 MAD and the Dar Batha museum 60 MAD (closed Mondays). Check prices on arrival, as they can change.
How long is the train from Rabat to Fes?
Regular trains take around 3 hours, with many departures every day.
Miki Kokica
Travel blogger behind One Day Itinerary. I test every route myself and write honest, practical guides so you can make the most of a single day anywhere.
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