Major city · Morocco
Fezفاس
Give Fez 2–3 nights: one full day for Fes el-Bali, one for the tanneries and madrasas, and one for the potteries or a Meknes run.
Fez is Morocco's medieval capital and holds Fes el-Bali, the largest car-free urban zone on earth and a UNESCO World Heritage walled city. The medina is a working maze of 9,000-plus lanes where goods still move by donkey and handcart. Most travellers come for two or three nights, walk the Talaa Kbira, and use the city as a base for Meknes, Volubilis and the Middle Atlas.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MAD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat, 35°C (95°F)+), Ramadan daytime closures (check dates)avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat, 95°F (35°C)+), Ramadan daytime closures (check dates)
- Airport
- FEZ
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Morocco ↗Check entry rules for your passport with the Moroccan consulate or official government sources before booking; visa exemptions depend on nationality.
- Morocco ↗The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency: you normally obtain it on arrival (ATMs, exchange desks) and change leftovers back before departure, keeping exchange receipts.
- Morocco ↗Do not bring a drone without prior authorisation: drones are routinely confiscated at customs.
- Morocco ↗During Ramadan, do not eat, drink or smoke in the street in daylight; tourist restaurants and hotels still serve.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Fez19 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Fez, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).Morocco-wide
- SIM or eSIMMaroc Telecom, Orange and inwi sell tourist SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; 20–50 GB costs about MAD 100–200.Morocco-wide
- Tap waterTap water is treated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; carry water in the south.Morocco-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10%.Morocco-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Morocco-wide
- SafetyFez is generally safe for tourists; the real friction is hustling, not crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets in older cafés and on the road.Morocco-wide
- Emergency numbers19 police · 177 Gendarmerie · 15 ambulance and fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckFriday midday prayers slow business; many shops shut on Eid holidays; museums often close one day a week (usually Tuesday — check).Morocco-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckFEZ Fès–Saïss International (15 km (9.3 mi) from the city; petit taxi to the medina about MAD 120 fixed, bus 16 about MAD 4 and 40 min (check)).FEZ Fès–Saïss International (9.3 mi (15 km) from the city; petit taxi to the medina about MAD 120 fixed, bus 16 about MAD 4 and 40 min (check)).
- Getting aroundInside Fes el-Bali you walk: the Talaa Kbira runs from Bab Boujeloud to the Qarawiyyin mosque, and heading downhill generally leads to Place R'cif.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet snack (msemen, harira, sandwich)MAD 10–30
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Petit taxi across townMAD 15–20
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekMAD 100–200
- Museum or sight ticketMadrasa or museum entryMAD 10–20 (check)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personMAD 120
- Mid-range bedRiad double room, a night, per roomMAD 700
- High-end bedRiad double room, a night, per roomMAD 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MAD 400 · Mid MAD 800 · High MAD 1,600
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- FEZ Fès–Saïss International (15 km (9.3 mi) from the city; petit taxi to the medina about MAD 120 fixed, bus 16 about MAD 4 and 40 min (check))FEZ Fès–Saïss International (9.3 mi (15 km) from the city; petit taxi to the medina about MAD 120 fixed, bus 16 about MAD 4 and 40 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Dec
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Fez: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Feb
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Inside Fes el-Bali you walk: the Talaa Kbira runs from Bab Boujeloud to the Qarawiyyin mosque, and heading downhill generally leads to Place R'cif. Petit taxis cover the ville nouvelle and the gates for about MAD 15–20 a ride — insist on the meter. City buses cost about MAD 2.50–3; bus 19 links the train station to Place R'cif. Trains from Fès-Ville station reach Meknes in about 50 min and Casablanca in about 3.5 h.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Meknes
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train from Fès-Ville, about 50 min, MAD 35 second class (check)
Half-day for the medina and Bab Mansour; pair with Volubilis by grand taxi.
Volubilis and Moulay Idriss
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Grand taxi or tour from Fez, about 1 h 15 min to the ruins
Roman mosaics in open sun — go early, carry water, no shade on site.
Ifrane and Azrou
cautionDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Grand taxi from the CTM station, Ifrane about MAD 28 a seat (check)
Cedar forest and Barbary macaques; better as a Middle Atlas overnight than a rushed return.
Chefchaouen
overnightDoor to door: About 4 h
CTM or other bus, about 4 h
Too far for a day return; sleep one or two nights.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Fes el-Bali (medina)
Riads inside the walls; atmospheric but no cars past the gates, so you carry bags the last stretch. Best for a first visit.
Bab Boujeloud / Talaa Kbira
Medina edge with the easiest taxi drop-off and the main walking street on your doorstep.
Ville Nouvelle
Modern hotels, banks and the train station; 10–15 min by petit taxi to the medina gates, about MAD 15–20.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MAD 350–600 excl. bed
- Mid
- MAD 600–1,200 excl. bed
- High
- MAD 1,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Riad double room1 × 3 nights × MAD 700 | MAD 2,100 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MAD 800 | MAD 4,800 |
| Airport taxi, both ways1 × MAD 240 · check | MAD 240 |
| Petit taxi rides, one day2 × MAD 60 · check | MAD 120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MAD 150 | MAD 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MAD 756 |
| Trip total≈ MAD 1,386 per person per day, bed included | MAD 8,316 |
2026 estimate in dirham; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Mint tea in the medina | MAD 10–20 |
| Tagine or couscous, mid-range restaurant | MAD 60–120 |
| Street snack (msemen, harira, sandwich) | MAD 10–30 |
| Madrasa or museum entry | MAD 10–20 (check) |
| Petit taxi across town | MAD 15–20 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | MAD 100–200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Faux guides in the medina: they walk you shop to shop and earn a hidden commission. Agree a licensed guide through your riad or the tourism office, or use the green, orange and blue waymarked trails.
- Touts on trains into Fez and at the bus station selling Chefchaouen tickets — buy at the counter.
- Tannery 'guides' expect MAD 1–5; leather shops with balconies over the pits push a purchase in return for the view.
- Prices in the souk are negotiable; agree any taxi fare before you get in.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 19
- Gendarmerie
- 177
- Ambulance and fire
- 15
- From mobiles
- 112
Pocket card
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Fezفاس
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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لهاد العنوان عافاكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police19
- Gendarmerie177
- Ambulance and fire15
- From mobiles112
Embassy
Most embassies and consulates sit in Rabat or Casablanca; check your country's mission for consular help in Fez.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- FEZ airport → medina, petit taxi: about MAD 120 fixed (check)
- Train Fès-Ville → Meknes: about MAD 35 second class, 50 min (check)
- Petit taxi in town: MAD 15–20; insist on the meter
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salaamu alaykum)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بشحال؟ — How much is it? (bech-hal)
- لا شكرا — No, thank you (la shukran)
- خدم الكونتور — Work the meter (khdm l-koontoor)
- فين البيت المياه؟ — Where is the toilet? (fin beit l-ma)
Medina lanes are unmarked and GPS drifts between walls — save your riad's phone number and a gate name before you set out.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Fez. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat, 35°C+), Ramadan daytime closures (check dates) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for FEZ: bus 16 timings, fixed taxi price, and a late-arrival riad plan.
- Four medina walking loops with gate anchors: Bab Boujeloud, Talaa Kbira, R'cif, Bab Ftouh.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry for the madrasas, tanneries, Borj Nord and Nejjarine, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Summer-heat and faux-guide fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialPortail de Fès (city portal)
- officialONDA — Fès–Saïss Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Fez, revision 5279803 (CC BY-SA 4.0)