Fez in 1 Day - Itinerary & Things to Do

May 11, 2024
5 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

🤩 My reflection

Fez was the city where we were able to experience a hardcore Moroccan experience. With its complex medina, amazing patterns, impressive buildings, and persistent sellers, I felt like this is it. However, I also felt quite overwhelmed because of the constant poking from the sides of the road trying to sell something, always trying to find our way, and the human crowd. Still, I’m very glad we added it to our itinerary. It was the only city in Morocco that impressed and shocked me at the same time.

In this guide, you’ll find a 1-day Fez itinerary, including must-see sights, must-eat food, and practical travel tips.

✍🏻 Itinerary

The order of the day is designed as a walking route, so you can follow it directly.

Day 1:

Royal Palace of Fez (Dar al-Makhzen) – massive golden gates and exterior landmark of the royal residence, not open inside but one of the most impressive façades in Fez
Mellah – historic Jewish quarter of Fez, known for its different architecture, wider streets, and quieter atmosphere compared to the main medina
Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate) – main entrance into the medina and iconic starting point with blue and green tilework marking the old city
Bou Inania Madrasa – one of the most beautiful Marinid-era schools in Morocco, famous for its carved cedar wood, stucco, and detailed zellij tilework

Break at Cafe Clock – cultural café known for its famous clock (a symbol inside the space), relaxed rooftop atmosphere

Talaa Street (Talaa Kebira & Seghira) – main spine of the medina, a long sloping street filled with shops, local life, and constant movement
Nejjarine Fountain – richly decorated mosaic fountain located in a lively artisan square and one of the most photographed spots in Fez
Funduq al-Najjariyyin – historic merchant inn (caravanserai) that reflects traditional Fez trade architecture and courtyard design
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts – museum inside a restored caravanserai showcasing traditional Moroccan woodwork, tools, and craftsmanship
Attarine Madrasa – small but highly refined Islamic school known for its intimate scale and extremely detailed decoration
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University – spiritual and intellectual heart of Fez and one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world
Place Seffarine – open square filled with copper artisans actively hammering metal, creating one of the most atmospheric craft scenes in the medina
Chouara Tannery – iconic leather dye pits where hides are processed using traditional methods; best experienced from rooftop terraces above

Dinner at Dar Roumana or Dar Hatim

Bonus location if you have the time:

Borj Sud / panoramic viewpoint (10- 15 min walk uphill) – Best wide-angle view over the entire medina rooftops (this is your “wow Fez photo”)

What to Eat in Morocco

Tagine – Slow-cooked stew made with meat, vegetables, and spices, prepared in a traditional clay pot (I tried this)
Mint tea – Sweet green tea with fresh mint, served as a symbol of Moroccan hospitality (I tried this)
Kefta tagine – Meatballs cooked in a rich tomato sauce, often topped with eggs (I tried this)
Msemen – Flaky, square Moroccan pancake, crispy outside and soft inside, served sweet or savory (I tried this)
Harira – Hearty soup with lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, and herbs, especially popular during Ramadan (I tried this)
Couscous – Steamed semolina grains topped with vegetables, chickpeas, and meat, traditionally eaten on Fridays (I tried this)
Zaalouk – Smoky eggplant and tomato dip with garlic, olive oil, and spices, served with bread (I tried this)
Pastilla – Sweet and savory pie made with thin pastry, filled with meat, almonds, cinnamon, and sugar (I tried this)
Brochettes – Grilled meat skewers, commonly sold as street food (I tried this)
Berber omelet – Eggs cooked with tomatoes, onions, and spices, served in a tagine (I tried this)
Nous nous – Half espresso, half milk, similar to a latte (I tried this)
Moroccan spiced coffee – Coffee flavored with spices like cinnamon and cardamom
Mechoui – Slow-roasted lamb, tender and lightly seasoned
Ktefa – Dessert made with crispy pastry or vermicelli, layered with cream and topped with sugar and almonds
Fish chermoula – Fish marinated in a mix of herbs, garlic, lemon, and spices, then grilled or baked

📢 Essential tips

Here’s everything you need to plan your week in Fez:

How to pay in Morocco

It’s required to have cash and good to have local currency. Euros are sometimes accepted, but the exchange rate is usually not in your favor. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, airports, and nicer restaurants, but in the medinas and street shops, cash is essential.

How to bargain

Bargaining is the norm, and not just for the sake of bargaining. Start at around 40–50% of the initial price and you’ll usually end up somewhere in the middle.

Best time to visit Fez

The best time to visit Fez is in spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November), when the weather is pleasant and ideal for exploring the medina.

How to go online

We bought a SIM card in Fez from a small electronics shop in the souk, and it worked really well throughout the trip.

What to wear in Fez

Depends on when you go, Moroccan cities can get very hot. But at the same time, it’s a Muslim country, so it’s better to respect local norms and dress somewhat modestly. This can also matter when visiting religious sites. I usually opted for pants (like thin jeans or lightweight trousers) and a regular short-sleeve t-shirt. On days when I planned to visit a mosque, I also carried a scarf to easily cover my head and shoulders.

How to commute

There is no Uber in Morocco, but there is Careem. Careem charged us around €25 to the train station, while regular taxis asked for €120.

How safe it feels in Fez

Given the high number of men working in the streets in Fez and how persistent they can be when trying to sell something, it doesn’t always feel completely comfortable as a woman, especially at night. There is quite a lot of hustle and bustle during the daytime in the main streets, which makes it feel safer. As finding your way in the medina is quite difficult, we also experienced some common tricks, like people saying a street is closed and then asking for money to show you the “correct” way. So just be aware.

How locals interact in Fez

Although people are very nice and chatty, there is often a sales angle. At one point we thought we were just having a friendly conversation, and suddenly found ourselves buying spices in their “recommended” shop.

Where to stay in Fez

We preferred to stay in the medina, and our riad was lovely. However, we did get lost and couldn’t find our hotel at one point, so we had to call them to come pick us up. So try to remember your route like Hansel and Gretel, as technology doesn’t help much in Fez.

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