Fes

Fes el-Bali is not a museum. It is a medieval city that still makes leather, zellige, metal and food for itself. That is why it overwhelms people, and why a good local guide is not a luxury.

From Fes the Sahara is closer than from Marrakech. The road through Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz Valley is one of Morocco’s great landscape days. Chefchaouen is a morning’s drive north. Volubilis is even nearer.

Give Fes at least one full day. Two is better. Then let the desert or the Rif take you.

When to visit Fes

March to May and September to November are ideal for walking the medina. July and August can be very hot in the lanes, so we start early and plan a long lunch break in the riad. Winter is cool and sometimes rainy, but the medina is quieter and the light is beautiful.

Getting to and around Fes

Fes–Saïss airport is about twenty minutes from the medina, and trains connect Fes with Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier. Fes el-Bali is entirely car-free: expect to walk, and let your riad arrange a porter for luggage. A licensed local guide for the first morning saves hours, and our drivers take over for Volubilis, Meknes, Ifrane or the long, beautiful road south to Merzouga.

Authoritative background: UNESCO listing for the Medina of Fez (UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Medina of Fez).

Tours from Fes