Fes
Walk the car-free lanes of Fes el-Bali, see the Chouara Tannery’s stone dye wells and visit historic madrasas in Morocco’s former imperial city.
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Fes is a historic city in northern inland Morocco, known for its medina, traditional crafts and religious sites. The medina includes Fes el-Bali and Fes Jdid and became Morocco’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Fes el-Bali is one of the world’s largest and oldest car-free urban zones, so plan to explore it on foot. Its lanes lead past souqs and workshops to the Chouara Tannery, where stone wells are used to treat hides. The University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 857, is another historic site in the old city.
Allow time for Fes Jdid and the Ville Nouvelle, the French-built new city centered on Avenue Hassan II. The city suits a trip focused on architecture, religious sites and traditional crafts. Fes has hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. July and August highs average about 34.5 °C (94 °F); December and January lows average about 4.5 °C (40 °F). Frost is not uncommon in winter, so pack warm clothes for a winter visit. Dar Batha, a former palace that became a museum in 1915, holds around 6,000 pieces. The Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts is housed in an 18th-century merchant inn.
Fes in five
- Hire a licensed guide for day oneThe medina is a maze. An official guide for the first morning shows you the landmarks; ignore unofficial offers at the gates.
- Ask how to reach your riadCars stop at the medina gates. Ask your riad for the nearest gate and whether someone will meet you.
- Visit the tanneries in the morningThe dye pits are viewed from terraces of the leather shops around them. Morning light is better, and buying is not required.
- Respect closed mosquesMost mosques, including Al-Qarawiyyin, are closed to non-Muslims. The Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas are open to visitors.
Things to do in Fes
See all attractions in Fes
Need to know
- Airport
- Fes-Saiss (FEZ), about 25–30 min by taxi
- Getting there
- ONCF trains from Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier and Meknes
- Getting around
- Walking in the medina, red petit taxis outside
- Best base
- A riad near Bab Boujloud or another gate
- Time needed
- 2–3 days
- Heritage
- Medina on the UNESCO list since 1981
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Cold nightsJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh18°Low8°Cool, wetFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, wet
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Warm, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, green
- MayClear7 rainy daysHigh27°Low15°WarmMayClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low18°HotJuneClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low22°Very hotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low23°Very hotAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low19°HotSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low17°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh20°Low11°CoolNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Cold nightsDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
Average daily high and low in Fes, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Festivals: May World Sacred Music Festival · Jun World Sacred Music Festival
Right now in Fes
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 2 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 80%
Fes
07:52 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today21°16°80%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Wed19°15°88%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Thu22°14°33%Thursday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri24°14°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 24°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat25°16°5%Saturday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun25°18°7%Sunday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Mon22°20°52%Monday: Rain. High 22°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 52%.
Updated 05:02 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.819 MAD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- May–JunWorld Sacred Music FestivalFes
Day trips by train
Before you go to Fes
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Fes, checked
- Fes medina: UNESCO World Heritage listing since 1981; founded in the 9th century, and still the cultural and spiritual center of Morocco.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Guides: in a historic medina quarter, use a guide with an official badge and permission from the local authority; fake guides harass visitors.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Fes
Cities, coast and desert, with entry and money basics
Read the guideChefchaouenThe blue Rif town, about 4 hours by bus
Read the guideMarrakechThe southern medina, about 7 hours by train
Read the guideBest time to visit MoroccoFes is very hot in July and August
Read the guideTransport planningTrains, buses and flights between cities
Read the guideVisas and entryCheck your passport rules before you fly
Read the guideMeknesImperial city with a calmer medina
Read the guideCentral MoroccoMeknes, Ifrane and Midelt from a Fes base
Read the guideFes FAQ
Do I need a guide in the Fes medina?
Not for the whole stay, but a licensed guide for the first morning helps. After that, use landmarks and offline maps.
How many days do I need in Fes?
Two full days covers the medina, the tanneries and the madrasas. A third day allows Meknes and Volubilis.
How do I get from Fes to Chefchaouen?
There is no train. CTM buses take about four hours, or hire a driver for a faster trip.
Is Fes better than Marrakech?
They suit different trips. Fes is older, darker and more working, with fewer tourist services. Marrakech is easier, with gardens and more hotels. Many itineraries use both.
How do I get from Marrakech to Fes?
By ONCF train in about 7 hours, or by flight. Check the ONCF timetable for current direct services, since some trips change at Casablanca or Rabat.