Which place is cheaper, Siena or Fez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fez and Siena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Fez is a colorful, cultural, and ancient city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums.
Siena is a medieval, history, and beautiful city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Fez than Siena. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Fez is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Siena attracts visitors for its nightlife. Siena is more touristy than Fez and is popular for its beautiful medieval architecture, its delicious local restaurants, and the twice yearly Palio horserace. Fez is famous for its ancient medina, gorgeous riads, and amazing local dishes. It is also well known for the Chouara Tannery.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Siena and Fez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Fez is very popular for its sights and museums. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.
Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in Fez that are not to be missed. Tucked into the medina are ancient mosques, historic universities, and beautiful gardens. Highlights of the city include Al Quaraouiyine Mosque, Dar Batha (a palace and museum), and Medersa Bou Inania (a former theological college). Another not to be missed sight is the tanneries. You'll likely smell them before you see them, but the history is truly impressive.
With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Siena can be an interesting and educational experience. At the heart of the city is Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Piazza del Campo. Other world famous sights include Palazzo Pubblico and Museo Civico, Torre del Mangia, and Pinacoteca Nazionale.
Fez is very popular for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.
Fez has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. Some of the best food in Morocco can be found in Fez. Head away from the main gates and the major tourist routes to find more local restaurants. Every visitor must try tagine. It's not actually a recipe but instead a cooking pot and technique. If you order a tagine, you'll enjoy a stew like dish that's slow cooked and usually made with lamb or chicken although vegetarian options are often available. Other dishes to try include couscous and pastilla. Pastilla is a pastry covered chicken dish that is seasoned with cinnamon and sugar.
Siena has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The town is all about local flavors and many restaurants use local ingredients in their dishes. Pecorino of Pienza is the local cheese, and you'll also find many cured meats. Local pasta dishes include wild boar ragu and a local spaghetti. You'll also find local meats such as lamb, rabbit, chicken and pork.
Siena is a city with good options for nightlife and partying. However, Fez is lacking in options for its evening party scene.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Siena. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. Most visitors enjoy socializing in the evening and meeting friends at Piazza del Campo. There are often live performances which you can enjoy as well as many cafes and wine bars around town.
Things get quiet in the evenings in Fez. It's a conservative city and the nightlife reflects that. You'll find some bars in the major hotel chains and you can often find alcohol at the more expensive restaurants.
Both Fez and Siena have amazing historic old towns worth visiting.
The rich history of Fez can be explored in its historical center. The walled medina offers a maze of streets that are lined with shops selling perfume, spices, street food, and trinkets.
Siena has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The beautiful old town is filled with medieval brick buildings. At the heart of the city is Piazza del Campo, which is a lively square with many neighborhoods spreading out from there.
Fez is very popular for shopping. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.
Fez is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. Head to the medina and try your hand at negotiating. There are impressive art shops and hidden gems spread between more touristy shops selling souvenir trinkets.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Siena. The main shopping street in town is Via Banchi di Sopra, which has many boutiques that sell clothing, bags, and other items. The town also has many leather goods, ceramics, and other local items available.
Fez is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Siena is a mediocre city for its kid-friendly activities.
Fez is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering the medina, sampling Moroccan dishes, and trying their hand at bartering for a good price. There are several gardens that offer a quiet oasis from the chaotic streets. There's also baklava and other sweet treats that kids can taste. Many kids enjoy taking a tour to the nearby countryside where they can feed monkeys, hike, and visit local villages.
Siena is not always a place people visit with their families. The beauty and history may be lost to the little ones but there is a great atmosphere that even the young ones will appreciate. Kids will enjoy climbing to the top of Torre del Mangia or visiting one of the many playgrounds around town.
Siena is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Fez is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.
Siena is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its impressive beauty and long running history, this is a truly romantic city. The atmosphere is relaxed and there are plazas and neighborhoods that are great for exploring. There are also many great restaurants, superb wine, and world class sights that are not to be missed.
Couples visit Fez frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who like an adventure will enjoy soaking up the medina, visiting the gardens, and taking a trip into the countryside.
Fez is very popular for backpackers. Also, Siena is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Fez is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Prices are very affordable and there are riads that range in price and style. Many restaurants cater to different budgets and most of the entertainment involves wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere.
It's common for backpackers to visit Siena. Many backpackers visit Siena as a daytrip from nearby Florence. While there are some affordable places to stay here, the atmosphere isn't as backpacker friendly as nearby Florence.
Siena is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Fez is not popular with students.
Students come from all over to stay in Siena. It's home to one of the oldest universities in Italy, and it's a wonderful study abroad destination for any student who wants to spend some time in Italy.
Fez is not popular with students.
Siena is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Fez is lacking in options for its public transit.
Siena has some public transit options. TIEMME is the bus service that runs in and around town. Many lines pass through the train station and provide service from there.
Public transit is generally limited in Fez. There's a basic public transportation system with buses and a train station, but you'll likely need to take taxis if you can't walk to a destination. Taxis are affordable and abundant.
Fez and Siena are superb when it comes to walkability.
Fez is a very walkable city. The medina can be explored on foot, but it's easy to get lost so allow a lot of time. There are several walking routes through the medina that are marked with colors but you'll likely find yourself wandering on and off the routes as you explore. Outside of the medina, you'll likely want to take a taxi.
Siena is a very walkable destination. The compact town center is best explored on foot.
For even more information, also check out Is Fez Worth Visiting? and Is Siena Worth Visiting?.
You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Fez or Siena to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Fez than Siena because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Fez, and 1-2 days is enough time in Siena.
Families should spend more time in Fez than Siena. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Fez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Siena than Fez. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Siena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fez than Siena if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Fez.
Each neighborhood in Fez has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
With nightlife and food around the medieval destination of Siena, there's plenty to do. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fez. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
Many people visit Siena for a weekend. With food and shopping around the charming city of Siena, there's plenty to do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.
Fez is a fun place to experience. Each neighborhood in Fez has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.
The destination of Siena offers shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.
You'll find food and shopping around the ancient big city of Fez. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Siena, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Italy, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Fez is $53, while the average daily cost in Siena is $142. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Fez and Siena in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Fez or Siena? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Fez:
Also for Fez, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Siena:
Prices for flights to both Siena and Fez change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
For Fez, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Fez, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Siena.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fez's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Fez, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Siena are as follows:
Also in Fez, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Siena:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fez and Siena, we can see that Siena is more expensive. And not only is Fez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fez is in Africa and Siena is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Fez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fez and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Siena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Siena than you might in Fez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fez Expensive? and Is Siena Expensive?.
Fez has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Siena. When comparing the sizes of Fez and Siena, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.