If you are planning a holiday to Morocco and want to experience something truly unlike anywhere else in the world, Fes belongs at the very top of your list. Older than Marrakech, quieter than Casablanca, and more authentically preserved than almost any other city in North Africa, Fes is a place where the medieval world is not just remembered, it is still very much alive.
At Crystal Travel, we consider Fes one of the most extraordinary destinations we send UK holidaymakers to. The city rewards slow, curious, and unhurried exploration, and every visit reveals something new. From its breathtaking ancient medina and world-famous tanneries to hidden madrasas and vibrant food souks, the things to do in Fes are as rich, layered, and memorable as the city itself.
Fes is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and widely regarded as the country's cultural and spiritual heart. Founded in the 9th century, it is home to the world's oldest university, one of the largest car-free urban areas on the planet, and a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Unlike the more tourist-polished experience of Marrakech or the modern energy of Casablanca, Fes feels genuinely, almost defiantly, itself. Leather is still tanned the same way it was a thousand years ago. Bread is still baked in communal neighbourhood ovens. Calls to prayer echo across a skyline that has looked much the same for generations.
For British travellers who want to go beyond the postcard version of Morocco and experience something with genuine depth and history, exploring the things to see in Fes Morocco, is an experience that will stay with you for life.
Fes is also very accessible from the UK, with direct and connecting flights available from London, Manchester, and other major UK airports, typically taking around three and a half hours.
The single most important of all things to do in Fes is exploring Fes el-Bali, the old city and one of the most remarkable places on earth. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this ancient walled medina is the largest car-free urban area in the world, with over 9,000 narrow alleyways winding through it like the veins of a living organism.
Inside you will find mosques, madrasas, artisan workshops, spice stalls, and centuries-old riads tucked behind plain wooden doors. Every corner holds a surprise a tiled courtyard open to the sky, a carpenter shaping cedar wood by hand, a baker pulling flatbreads from a clay oven. Give yourself at least a full day to wander without a rigid plan. This is, without question, one of the most extraordinary things to see in Fes Morocco.
Travel Tip: Hire a licensed local guide for your first morning. They will help you get your bearings and bring the medina's history to life in a way that transforms the whole experience.
Few sights in Morocco are quite as visually arresting as the Chouara Tanneries. In continuous operation since the 11th century, this ancient complex of stone vats filled with natural dyes has barely changed in a thousand years. From the terraces above, you look down onto a patchwork of vivid colours, saffron yellow, poppy red, deep indigo, whilst workers move between them in a process handed down through generations.
The leather goods sold in the surrounding lanes, bags, babouche slippers, belts, and jackets, are among the finest quality you will find anywhere in Morocco. This is one of the most iconic best things to do in Fes and an absolute must for every visitor.
Travel Tip: You will be handed a sprig of fresh mint on arrival it helps considerably with the strong smell rising from the vats below.
Fes is home to two of the most beautiful medieval colleges in the Islamic world, and visiting both is one of the most rewarding best places to visit in Fes for those who love history and architecture.
The Bou Inania Madrasa, built in the 14th century, is one of the only religious buildings in Fes officially open to non-Muslim visitors. Its carved cedarwood doors, intricate plasterwork, and soaring minaret are genuinely extraordinary. Nearby, the Al-Attarine Madrasa tucked beside the Kairaouine Mosque is quieter and beautifully refined, with a serene marble courtyard that feels a world away from the busy medina lanes outside.
Entry Fee: Approximately 20 MAD each (around £1–£2)
The Kairaouine Mosque and University is widely recognised as the oldest continuously operating university in the world, founded in 859 AD. The mosque can hold up to 22,000 worshippers and has been a centre of Islamic scholarship for over 1,100 years.
Non-Muslim visitors cannot enter, but peering through the ornate wooden doorways reveals carved plasterwork, marble columns, and enormous chandeliers that make the sheer scale of this place immediately clear. Simply standing at the entrance is one of the most thought-provoking things to see in Fes Morocco.
For the finest panoramic view over Fes, head up to the Merenid Tombs on the hilltop above Fes el-Bali. These ruined 14th-century royal tombs are interesting in their own right, but the real draw is the sweeping view over the entire ancient city a vast terracotta-tiled roofscape of minarets and medieval rooftops stretching to the hills beyond.
Visit around sunset when the light turns golden and the call to prayer rises from hundreds of minarets across the city simultaneously. It is one of those moments that stays with you and it costs absolutely nothing.
Travel Tip: Take a petit taxi to the top and walk back down through the medina at dusk for a completely different, more intimate atmosphere.
Beyond the medina walls lies Fes el-Jdid the "New Fes" built in the 13th century as a royal quarter. Its main attraction is the Royal Palace of Fes, whose spectacular golden brass gates are among the most photographed in all of Morocco. The palace itself is not open to the public, but the ornate gates and the grand square in front of them are absolutely worth the short journey.
Fassi cuisine the traditional cooking of Fes is considered by many Moroccan chefs to be the most refined in the country, and eating well here requires very little effort or expense. Must-try dishes include:
Seek out small family-run restaurants tucked inside the medina the ones with no English signage and a queue of locals at the door are always the finest.
Travel Tip: Book a Moroccan cookery class during your stay. Several Fes riads offer half-day sessions combining a market visit with a hands-on cooking lesson one of the most memorable things to do in Fes and a skill you will use long after you return home.
Fes is one of four imperial cities forming the golden thread of Morocco's extraordinary history. Explore our complete guide on Things to Do in Morocco for the vibrant souks of Marrakech, the Atlantic energy of Casablanca, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, and the golden dunes of the Sahara Desert. For a bigger adventure, our guide to Things to Do in Africa covers the continent's most unforgettable destinations.
At Crystal Travel, we are passionate about helping UK travellers discover the world's most extraordinary places. Get in touch with our team today to start planning your Fes or Morocco holiday.
Fes is not simply a city it is a living piece of world history you can walk through, eat in, and get wonderfully lost in. From the ancient alleyways of Fes el-Bali and the vivid spectacle of the Chouara Tanneries to the extraordinary madrasas and the warmth of a hidden family restaurant deep in the souk, every experience feels irreplaceable.
The things to do in Fes are unlike anything else in Morocco. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a well-travelled explorer, Fes will surprise you, move you, and leave you genuinely wanting to return. Let Crystal Travel help you plan the Fes holiday you will be talking about for years to come.
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