Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Fez?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Fez?
Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Fez during their visit. The busy city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, the cuisine, and the gorgeous scenery.
Fes is an ancient city that transports you back in time. At the heart of the city is the medieval medina which is filled with local shops, ancient mosques, and amazing restaurants. You can spend days wandering the medina, taking in the sights and sounds. The city's culinary scene is among the best in Morocco and you'll sample some amazing dishes while you're in the area. It's easy to organize a tour out of town as well and head into the countryside to see small villages and feed some monkeys.
Do you have one or two days to visit Fez? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Fez?
Fez is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the cuisine. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is advisable. Many travelers opt for three to five days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.
How to spend a day in Fez
Fez is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. 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.
The delicious food of Fez is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this city's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. 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.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Cooking Class - Moroccan cuisine ($49)
- Fes Food Tour ($71)
- Unforgettable Cooking Class in Fez ($46)
Fez is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. 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.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Fez?
A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the busy city of Fez, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to explore the museums and famous sights, learn about the history of the town, dine out at amazing restaurants, and take in the beautiful scenery. Many tourists set aside at least 3 or as many as 5 days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Fez below.
How to spend 2 days in Fez
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Fez will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The walled medina offers a maze of streets that are lined with shops selling perfume, spices, street food, and trinkets.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-Day Private Guided Walking Tour Of Fez Medina ($26)
- Private Guided Walking Tour in Fez Medina ($25)
- Walking Tour in Old Medina Fez with Official Guide ($38)
Fez is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The beauty of this city lies in its impromptu style and mazelike setting.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Half-Day Private Guided Walking Tour Of Fez Medina ($26)
- Private Guided Walking Tour in Fez Medina ($25)
- Walking Tour in Old Medina Fez with Official Guide ($38)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Fez, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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