Fez travel guide
Morocco
One of Morocco's four imperial cities and long its spiritual centre, home to one of the largest car-free medinas in the world. Craftspeople still work leather, brass and tile in the same lanes they have for centuries.
Essentials
- Language
- Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and Amazigh; French is widely spoken, English less so
- Currency
- Moroccan dirham (MAD)
- Plugs
- Types C and E, 220 V
- Emergency number
- 19 for police, 15 for an ambulance or fire, 112 from a mobile
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants, and small change for guides, porters and anyone who helps you.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $25-45, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $70-120, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Fez
- Fes el-Bali: the walled medina, its tanneries, madrasas and countless narrow lanes.
- Fes el-Jdid: the Royal Palace gates and the old Jewish quarter, the Mellah.
- Ville Nouvelle: the modern city: the train station, wide avenues and cafés.
Getting around Fez
The medina is walk-only, and getting lost is part of the experience. Petit taxis cover the rest of the city; ask for the meter before setting off.
Best time to visit Fez
March to May and September to November; summers are very hot and winters cold at night.
Top things to do in Fez
- Look down on the dye pits of the Chouara tannery from one of the surrounding leather-shop terraces
- Admire the carved cedar and zellij tilework of the Bou Inania or Al-Attarine madrasa
- Walk up to the Merenid Tombs at sunset for a view over the whole medina
- Take a breather in Jnan Sbil, a shaded garden between the old and new cities
- Spend an hour in a hammam for a steam and a vigorous scrub
What to eat in Fez
- Pastilla: a flaky pie layering pigeon or chicken with almonds, cinnamon and sugar
- Tagine: meat or vegetables slow-cooked in a conical clay pot, often with preserved lemon or prunes
- Bissara: a thick fava bean soup with olive oil and cumin, a cheap, filling breakfast
- Mint tea: green tea brewed with fresh mint and sugar, poured from a height
Day trips from Fez
- Volubilis and Moulay Idriss: Roman mosaics and a hilltop holy town, about an hour and a half by road
- Meknes: another imperial city with grand gates and a calmer medina, under an hour by train
- Chefchaouen: the blue-washed mountain town, about four hours each way, better as an overnight
Local etiquette
Most mosques in Morocco, including Al Quaraouiyine, are closed to non-Muslims, though you may glimpse the courtyard from the door. Dress modestly in the medina and ask before photographing people or shopfronts.
Staying connected
Maroc Telecom, Orange and inwi SIM cards are cheap and sold at the airport and in town, and most riads have Wi-Fi, though thick walls can weaken it.
Staying safe
Unofficial guides and touts are the main nuisance, so agree a price before accepting any help and expect a detour to a shop. Pickpockets work the busiest lanes, so keep your bag in front of you.
A local tip
Ask your riad for a map or an official guide, and politely decline anyone in the street who offers to show you the way.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Fez on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Fez for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Fez, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Fez
- What currency is used in Fez?
- Fez uses the Moroccan dirham (MAD).
- What is the emergency number in Fez?
- In Fez, call 19 for police, 15 for an ambulance or fire, 112 from a mobile.
- When is the best time to visit Fez?
- March to May and September to November; summers are very hot and winters cold at night.
- How much does a day in Fez cost?
- Roughly $25-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Fez?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Fez without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.