What are the best things to do in Fez?

Top activities include Upper Town walk (go before 9am at Bab Bou Jeloud to avoid tour groups and capture empty cobblestone streets in golden light), Chouara Tannery (arrive at 7:30am when locals rinse hides—ask for the west section where workers use natural indigo, not the touristy east side), Le Petit Café tagine (order the lamb tagine at the tiny spot behind the tannery (€8)—they use goat cheese from the Rif Mountains, not the usual lamb), Mint tea at Café de la Plume (get the "extra strong" version at 9am for the best view of the medina from the rooftop, €1.50), Fes el-Bali mosque (visit during the 11am prayer time when the courtyard is empty and locals recite verses—never go at sunset). Budget about ~50-80 EUR/day.

How much does a day in Fez cost?

A mid-range day in Fez costs ~50-80 EUR/day including accommodation, food, transport, and activities.

10 Best Things to Do in Fez (2026)

~50-80 EUR/day. That covers a mid-range hotel, meals at local restaurants (not tourist traps), public transit, and 1-2 paid attractions. Budget travelers can do it for 30-40% less by choosing hostels and street food.

When is the best time to visit Fez?

September is the sweet spot — good weather, fewer crowds, lower prices. See our month-by-month guide for details.

Plan your Fez trip

Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque — The Oldest University in the World

Built in 859 CE, this mosque houses the world’s oldest continuously operating university, Al-Qarawiyyin, founded by Fatima al-Fihri. It’s a living academic institution, not a tourist site—non-Muslims cannot enter, but the courtyard and minaret are visible from the street. Entry to the courtyard is free, but the mosque itself is closed to non-Muslims.

Open 6am–7pm daily; best visited at sunrise for quiet contemplation. Avoid Friday midday when locals pray. Insider tip: Ask a local for the hidden entrance near Bab Bou Jeloud (not the main gate) to see the minaret’s intricate stonework up close.

The mosque’s library, with 4,000 manuscripts, is only accessible to scholars.

Fes el-Bali — The Medieval Medina

Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO site since 1981, is the world’s largest car-free urban area, with 9,000+ alleys and 1,000+ workshops. It’s the heart of Fez’s cultural identity, where traditional crafts like leather tanning (Chouara Tannery) and pottery thrive. Open 24/7; best explored early morning (6–10am) to avoid crowds.

Entry is free, but some workshops charge 5–10 MAD for guided tours. Take the tram from Bab Bou Jeloud to the medina’s edge, then walk. Insider tip: Avoid the main tourist paths; instead, follow locals to the Sidi Harazem quarter for authentic pottery-making demonstrations, where artisans use 1,000-year-old techniques.

Museum of Moroccan Arts — A Hidden Cultural Archive

Housed in a 19th-century palace, this museum showcases pre-colonial Moroccan art, including 12th-century ceramics, Andalusian textiles, and Berber jewelry. It’s often overlooked by tourists who head straight to the medina. Entry: 20 MAD (5 MAD for students).

Open 9am–5pm daily. Located near the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, accessible by foot from Bab Bou Jeloud. Best visited midweek to avoid crowds.

Insider tip: Ask for the museum’s 1920s photo archive, which includes rare images of Fez’s medina before modernization, available only to those who request it by name.

Souk el Attarine — The Spice and Scent Market

This 13th-century market, near the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, is the epicenter of Fez’s spice trade, selling saffron (250 MAD/gram), cumin, and argan oil. It’s where locals buy ingredients for tagines and pastries. Open 8am–8pm daily; best visited before noon to avoid heat and crowds.

Entry is free, but haggling is expected. Take the tram to Bab Bou Jeloud, then walk 10 minutes. Insider tip: Visit on Tuesdays for the weekly spice auction, where vendors sell bulk spices at 30% below market price to local chefs.

Volubilis — Roman Ruins 50km from Fez

This UNESCO-listed Roman city, founded in 30 BCE, features well-preserved mosaics, a triumphal arch, and a 2,000-year-old aqueduct. It’s a 1.5-hour drive from Fez (30 MAD by taxi, 10 MAD by bus from Bab Bou Jeloud). Entry: 60 MAD (30 MAD for students).

Open 9am–5pm daily. Best visited in spring (March–May) to avoid summer heat. Insider tip: Skip the main tour group; instead, take a local taxi to the nearby village of Moulay Idriss, where you can see Roman-era olive presses still in use.

Jardin de la Ville — A Local’s Morning Routine

This 19th-century public garden, near the old city walls, is where Fez residents exercise, play chess, and socialize. It’s a rare spot for non-tourist interaction. Open 6am–8pm daily; best visited at 7am for morning yoga sessions (free, no registration).

Entry is free. Take the tram to Bab Bou Jeloud, then walk 15 minutes. Insider tip: Join the locals for a 7:30am coffee at the garden’s café, where they serve mint tea with a side of fresh-baked khobz (bread) for 5 MAD.

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10 Best Things to Do in Fez