How to Spend 2 Days in Fes – The Best Travel Itinerary

I have to admit – I didn’t plan my two days in Fes a lot. Honestly, Fes was on my itinerary mainly because the cheapest flight from Europe was landing there.

After exploring most of Morocco’s popular attractions, I can honestly say – Fes is the most exciting and authentic place in the country!

This post won’t be a detailed step-by-step where to go-to guide. Unlike other cities in the world, Fes is not a place you should prepare a detailed itinerary for.

Why is that?
Because Fes is one giant human maze! No joke here, I’ve never seen anything like the Fes’s Medina (Medina meaning old part of town). Also known as Fes el-Bali, it’s one of the most authentic Arabian experiences you can find on the globe. The Medina is composed of small winding alleys with various little shops grouped into different souks (another thing Morocco is famous for). The wood souk, leather souk, tech souk, etc…

Trying to follow your map in the Medina and making a detailed plan about the places you want to visit for the day is impossible. You’d get lost inevitably. But Fes is an awesome place to get lost in, and since there is nothing you can do about it just relax and enjoy the experience!

So how is this Two Days in Fes guide gonna work?
I’ll list all places I believe deserve a visit and give you tips, tricks, and a map to find them. I hope you manage to see them all, but no matter how many you manage to visit, I can guarantee your two days in Fes will be a blast.

Now let me explain why the city of Fes is a bucket list worthy and why it impressed me that much.
If you’ve read my post about Cairo, maybe you remember how disappointed I was from the city.

I expected sandstone buildings and colorful markets coming straight out of Disney’s Aladin, but I got semi-finished buildings and piles of garbage on the streets. Well, I’m happy to say that Fes has nothing to do with Cairo!

If culture and authentic local experiences are the main reason behind your travels, Fes el-Bali should be at the very top of your bucket list. This old city is the very best example of the Arabic culture I’ve ever stumbled upon.

Located to the northeast of the Atlas Mountains, Fes is the second-largest city in Morocco. It has more than 1200 years of history between its walls, including numerous stunning madrasas, mosques, zawiyas and city gates. Considering this, it’s not a surprise the Medina of Fes is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also believed to be the world’s largest urban pedestrian zone

Two Days in Fes – What to see inside the Medina

Bab Bou Jeloud – The Blue Gate

The western entry to the Medina, Bab Bou Jeloud is a gate you’ll pass through more than once. Built in 1913, today the gate is a doorway between the 21st century and the colorful medieval mix of Fes el-Bali.

Fes is a city known for its leather goods and pottery. The traditional ones are decorated with beautiful cobalt-blue patterns. This is where the blue color of the gate comes from. If you’re going out of the Medina though, you will notice that the other side of the door is green. Why green? Cause this is the color of Islam.

Castaway Tip
Bab Bou Jeloud is a great landmark to use as a guide. Mark it on your map and try to have a general idea of its direction. No matter how lost you are, all streets going west will end up at Bab Bou Jeloud (or somewhere around it).

Photo Tip
Don’t miss the opportunity to take the iconic Fes photo of the middle gate, having one of the medina’s minarets on the background. 

   See Also:  How to Spend 10 Days in Morocco

The Chouara Tannery

Made in the 11th century, the Chouara tannery is the largest one of the three remaining tanneries in Fes.
What’s so special about a tannery?

The same system people used to dye the leather 1000 years ago is still used today. The tannery consist of numerous large stone vessels, filled with different colored dyes and white liquids. And since it’s a thousand years old process, everything is natural.

The dyes use poppy for red, indigo for blue, and henna for orange while the white liquid is a nasty mix of cow urine, pigeon feces, quicklime, salt, and water. It’s used for cleaning and softening the tough skins.

The only way to see the tannery is from one of the shops around it. They all have terraces that overlook the wells, and viewing is supposed to be free but it’s inevitable you’d be asked for a tip or a fee.

Castaway Tip
Prepare 10-20 MAD out of your wallet and say this is all you got. If you got a pushing shopper asking for more (I got up to shop #10, and the guy wanted me to pay 100 MAD!) just tell him a policeman informed you it’s free and that’s why you have no other money.

Another Castaway Tip
The tannery has this pungent smell of carcass so shopkeepers will offer you fresh struck of mint to hold under your nose. A lot of them may ask you to pay for it later so have that in mind before accepting it.

Bou Inania Madrasa

Madrasa is the Arabic word for all educational institutes and if you are wondering now ‘Why should I bother to visit Arabic schools in Morocco?‘ the answer is simple – they are some of the most beautiful buildings in the country.
Bou Inania Madrasa itself is a prime example of Marinid architecture.

Built around 1350, Bou Inania is the only Madrasa in Fes that also have a minaret (the one you see through the Blue Gate). It’s also one of the very few religious buildings in Morocco that are open to non-muslims.

Castaway Tip
The entrance is right on the medina and is rather tricky to find. The madrasa, however, is part of all Fes city tours itineraries, so if you see a lot of tourists waiting in front of a giant wooden door – that’s the place. If it’s a praying hour, the gate will be closed, and you’d have to wait until all the locals finish their prayers.

Photo Tip
Go to the small opening to the left and take a shot of the minaret from under the arc.

   See Also:  Morocco in the Winter: All You Need to Know

Al Attarine Madrasa

One more Madrasa that is a must-see! This one may not have a picturesque minaret but is a prime contender for being the most beautiful Madrasa in Morocco (at least until Marrakesh’ Ben Yousef Madrasa finishes its restoration) and a top contestant to be the highlight of your two days in Fes.

Built (once again) in the 14th century by the famous Marinid Dynasty (known as passionate patrons of madrasas) Al Attarine takes its name from the renowned perfume and spices market nearby. And rightfully so since this school, much like the very best perfumes in the world, is a feast to the senses.

The heart of the madrasa – its inner courtyard is this incredible mix of colors, ornaments, and Arabic calligraphy, finely crafted by the very best masters in Morocco. But why even try to describe the zellige mosaic or the stucco ornamented walls when we all know a picture is worth a thousand words? Enjoy the Al Attarine Madrasa!

Funduq al-Najjariyyin (The Wood Carving Museum)

You can’t spend two days in Fes without visiting at least one museum. Located in the center of the medina, there is one of the most stylish museums you’d ever see – Funduq al-Najjariyyin, The Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts.

And since you already know that Fes is famous for its wood products, you can imagine that Funduq al-Najjariyyin is not your average old dusty building. Unlike other museums, the exponents are not the main attraction. Yes, there are some interesting samples of wood and wooden instruments but the incredible mosaics and the carefully crafted designs are the real winners here.

Castaway Tip
Like everything in Fes, the entry is not easy to find. Look for the colorful fountain in the wood souk. The entrance is right behind it.

Another Castaway Tip
There is a terrace with panoramic views.

The Rainbow Street

The Rainbow street is not an official attraction in the city, and you won’t find it in many Fes guides. It is, however, one of the most vibrant and pleasant alleys in the Medina. It connects two of the main streets, and it’s basically a tiny alley with brightly painted mosaic floors and walls.

Stacked in piles are numerous rugs, paintings, and other art souvenirs. It’s not only one of the best places to find an original souvenir but is also a calm place inside the medina where shopkeepers won’t pressure you.

University of Al Quaraouiyine

This one is almost impossible to get into, but I couldn’t just skip it. It’s believed that the University of Al Quaraouiyine is the oldest university in the world. It’s also a mosque today so the access I heavily restricted. Unless you are a Muslim (who speaks Arabic or French to prove it to the guards) the chances are you won’t be allowed inside. You can still marvel and take photos of the stunning mosque interior from the entry gate, though.

Two days in Fes – What to see outside the medina

Two days in Fes’ medina could become really overwhelming. I can honestly say, I had some moments where I was craving to be out in the open and see the sun again. Here are the best open spaces the unwind from the chaos of Fes el-Bali:

The Royal Palace

If the primary goal of your two days in Fes is getting beautiful photos, the Royal Palace of Fes is a must-stop. One of the few attractions outside of the medina, it’s also one of the most picturesque places in the city.

The curious thing here is that the palace is not open for visits. Muslim or non-muslim, tourist or local, you can’t get into the palace unless you are the king of Morocco (or you work for him). How come it’s so popular then? The Royal Palace of Fes has the prettiest doors in the country! No kidding, the three sets of brass doors gives you the perfect background setting to make your new profile photo!

Castaway Tip
The place gets busy quickly so unless you visit Fes in the winter, make sure you get there first thing in the morning.

Photo Tip
If you are a couple – brig a tripod to get the best possible picture together. If you’re alone – bring a tripod to get the best possible selfie.

   See Also:  The Best Photo Spots in Chefchaouen

Garden Jnan Sbil

Located between the Blue Gate and the Royal Palace, Jnan Sbil is the oldest park in Fes. It’s free of charge, has beautiful palm alleys, water fountains, eucalyptus trees, and even a lake!

In the early 2000’s it was restored to bring back the original look from the 19th century. Perfect place to escape the medina and find some shade from the relentless Moroccan sun.

Dar Batha

A former Royal Palace, Dar Batha is the quickest escape from the Medina. The dar is located just a few minutes from the Blue Gate and has a small garden inside – perfect for a walk. There are also two museums with traditional Moroccan crafts inside. I find myself visiting it more than once while circling the windy streets of Fes.

Borj Nord

Borj Nord is a 16th-century fort, erected to watch over the old city of Fes. It’s 15-20 minutes walk from the Blue Gate (or 10-20 dirhams via petite taxi). In 2016 it was turned into a weapons museum and hosts a collection of over 5000 weapons from different eras. It’s supposed to be a great place to watch the sunset from, but I heard there were some muggings in the area, so I suggest to visit it only during the day.

Two Days in Fes – Additional Information

How to get to Fes

Being the second-largest city in the country, Fes is easy to get to. There is an international airport around 15 km outside of town which is also a Ryanair hub so I guess a lot of budget travelers would come this way ( taxi from the airport to the medina should cost 100-150 MAD  / 10-15 USD).

The most convenient way (most people use) is to rent a car, of course. You can skip all the public transport research and go straight to the medina. To find the best offers in the country, check the Discover Cars tool, which will compare all the providers in the country.

If you are coming from any of the other big Moroccan cities, you have the option to use a train (check the tickets here ) or bus. The best bus company in the country is CTM. Tickets are impossible to book outside of Morocco but you can use their site to check the departing times.

Other popular means of transportation are the grand taxis. You can get a taxi from one city to another and split the sum between all passengers.

When to visit Fes

While spring and autumn are the best seasons, you can visit Fes at any time of the year and have a great time. Being in the north part of the country, the summer in Fes is more tolerable than the other parts of Morocco.

The medina is designed to let little sunshine go through and keep you cool. Spring and autumn offer you perfect temperatures of 28-30 C during the day while in the winter, even though it feels cold for Morocco, it’s more like summer compared to Europe (15-18 C). The big bonus of the Winter is that there are way fewer tourists.

Castaway Tip
If you visit in the winter and decide to stay in a riad, make sure there is a heater in it. Riads are designed to keep cool and get uncomfortably cold during the night.

Where to stay in Fes

Top Hotel – Les Mérinides

If you don’t fancy living in the hustle of the medina, Les Mérinides is the best hotel in the area. Situated near Bjorn Nord, this 5-star hotel offers a swimming pool and incredible panoramic views over Fes el-Bali.
Check out the latest prices

Top Riad – Riad Farah

This authentic and inexpensive riad is situated right in the heart of the medina, has incredible Moroccan décor, soundproofed rooms (honestly hard to believe), top-notch breakfast, 24-hour reception, awesome rooftop terrace, and, something not that common in riads – private bathrooms.
Check out the latest prices

Two Days in Fes Itinerary Map

Click to open in Google Maps

Have in mind that Google Maps is not that accurate in Morocco and especially in the Medina. I suggest downloading Maps.Me – an app that not only works offline but also has way more detailed maps of the Medinas in Morocco.

How to stay safe in Fes?

 Morocco is a developing country, and while I didn’t encounter any troubles in Fes, it’s always good to be prepared. From food poisoning to medina pickpocketers, various things may go wrong and ruin your vacation.

The way I deal with this problem is by getting kick-ass travel insurance. Once you have a few journeys under your belt, you can easily appreciate its tremendous value and the freedom it gives you.
While I sincerely wish you never need to use it, I can’t stress enough how important getting the insurance is.

Guided Tours in Fes

You’ve read the whole guide and decided that losing yourself in Fes el-Bali is not for you? That’s ok. Here are some tour option to help you navigate the city or explore other parts of Morocco:

– The Blue One: This day-tour will take you to the most picturesque place in Morocco – Chefchaouen. If you don’t want to spend time and effort to organize it yourself, this is the best option for you. The tour can be found everywhere in Fes, but not booking it online, you risk having a low-quality provider.

– The Medina One: Exploring the Medina of Fes is quite a frightening experience. If you don’t think you can handle the chaos in Morocco, get yourself a guided tour and make sure you won’t get lost.

– The Desert One: The biggest highlight of Morocco is the Sahara Desert. This 2-day tour would lead you there, get you on a camel, and leave you to sleep under a billion stars. It’s the most unmissable experience in the country.

That’s all from me, I hope you enjoy your two days in Fes! 
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If you haven’t planned your trip there yet, find out how I plan my trips!
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I have 14 bucket list ideas for Morocco. See my impossible bucket list of 1700+ adventures!

Is Fes on your bucket list?

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