A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Toledo vs. Fez for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Toledo or Fez?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Toledo or Fez, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Toledo

Toledo is a medieval, fascinating, and beautiful city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Fez

Fez is a cultural, ancient, and winding city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Toledo and Fez: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Toledo or Fez?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Fez than Toledo. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Fez is very popular for its museums, food, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Toledo attracts visitors for its nightlife. Toledo is more touristy than Fez and is known for its medieval buildings, ancient landmarks, and fascinating history. Fez is famous for its ancient medina, gorgeous riads, and amazing local dishes. It is also well known for the Chouara Tannery.

The Chouara Tannery

How is Toledo different from Fez?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fez and Toledo. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Toledo or Fez?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its museums and history. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Fez from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Toledo. This medieval city is filled with ancient landmarks including the iconic Catedral de Toledo. In the old town you'll find many many historic buildings and a fascinating Jewish Quarter. Other notable sights include the Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes, the Alcázar de Toledo, and the Museo de Santa Cruz.

Is the Food Better in Toledo or Fez? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Fez is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Toledo. The city offers a great cuisine at a reasonable price. The dishes are influenced by the city's diverse past. You'll find many meat dishes due to the area's long running tradition of hunting. There are also classic dishes like carcamusas, which is pork covered in a tomato sauce. Dishes in general tend to be heavy and saucy with filling and delicious flavors.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for Nightlife?

Toledo 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 Toledo. Most tourists visit the town as a day trip, so things can quiet down somewhat at night. There is a large student population that frequents the bars around town and help keep things lively.

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.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for its Old Town?

Toledo and Fez both have first-rate historical old towns that attract visitors.

Toledo offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Perched on a hill and spilling out around the cathedral, this Spanish old town is filled with historic landmarks.

Fez has a world-famous historical area. The walled medina offers a maze of streets that are lined with shops selling perfume, spices, street food, and trinkets.

Is the Shopping Better in Toledo or Fez?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for shopping. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Fez. 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.

Toledo offers some nice shopping areas. Calle Comercio is the main shopping street in town and there are two major shopping malls in the new part of town.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for Families?

Toledo and Fez are both nice destinations for the whole family.

Toledo is a family-friendly city. The ancient streets are fun to explore. There are city gates, ancient Arab walls, and older kids will be fascinated by a visit to the Toledo Torture Museum. The city is known for its swords, and there are shops that you can visit to learn about this craft.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Fez. 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.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for Couples?

Fez is a very popular place for romance. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Fez makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who like an adventure will enjoy soaking up the medina, visiting the gardens, and taking a trip into the countryside.

Toledo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It's an ancient city that is filled with fascinating history and impressive historic sights. Couples will enjoy wandering the medieval streets and visiting the ancient gates.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Fez is an amazing city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Toledo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Fez. 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.

Toledo is a good city to visit for backpackers. Many travelers visit Toledo as a day trip from Madrid, but for backpackers who want to spend more time, there are a handful of hostels in town.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for Students?

Toledo 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 Toledo. The city is popular with students, and you'll find many activities and a lively atmosphere both during the day and at night.

Fez is not popular with students.

Is Toledo or Fez Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Toledo 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.

Toledo has some public transit options. There is a good bus system through town.

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.

Is Toledo or Fez a more walkable city?

Toledo and Fez are high quality when it comes to walkability.

Toledo is very walkable. It's a compact and easily walkable city, particularly within the old town. The bus and train stations are also about a 15 or 20 minute walk from the city center.

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.

For even more information, also check out Is Toledo Worth Visiting? and Is Fez Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Fez or Toledo?

How long in Toledo or Fez?

In either Toledo or Fez, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Fez than Toledo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Toledo, and 3-5 days is enough time in Fez.

Families should spend more time in Fez than Toledo. 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 Fez than Toledo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Fez that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Fez than Toledo 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.

One day in Toledo or Fez?

With nightlife and food around the medieval destination of Toledo, 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.

Fez is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Toledo or Fez?

Many people visit Toledo for a weekend. With food and shopping around the ancient city of Toledo, 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 great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Toledo or Fez?

The destination of Toledo 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Fez. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Toledo or Fez?

Toledo, 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the colorful big city of Fez. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Spain, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Morocco.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Toledo and Fez, we can see that Toledo is more expensive. And not only is Fez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Toledo is in Europe and Fez is in Africa, 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 Toledo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toledo 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 Toledo Expensive? and Is Fez Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Toledo or Fez?

Fez has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Toledo. When comparing the sizes of Toledo and Fez, 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.