Many travelers plan their holiday and they always ask how many days do you need in Fes. It is a very good question. Fes is one of Morocco’s most historic and cultural cities. It is a place that is very old and very big, so you cannot see it in just one hour.
The ideal stay depends on your travel style and your itinerary. Some people like to walk very fast and see everything quickly. Other people like to walk slowly, drink mint tea and look at the small details of the old buildings. I live very close to Fes in a town called Azrou, so I see many tourists come and go.
In this article I will help you decide how long to stay in Fes. We will look at what you can do in one, two, or three days so you can plan the perfect trip for you.
Quick Answer: How Many Days in Fes Is Enough?
If you need a fast answer to know how many days in Fes is enough, here is a simple guide. Travel guides generally recommend about 2 to 3 days for most visitors. This is the best time to see the city without feeling too tired.
- 1 day: You can see the quick highlights like the big gates and the main streets of the medina, but it will be a very busy day.
- 2 days: You can see the main attractions in a normal way. You have time for the tanneries, the old schools, and the markets.
- 3 days: This is the ideal stay with deeper exploration. You can relax, take a cooking class, or do a day trip outside the city.
Why Most Travelers Spend 2–3 Days in Fes
When you look at different travel plans, you will see that most people choose to stay 2 or 3 days. There are a few good reasons why travelers spend this much time here.
The Medina Takes Time to Explore
The historic medina of Fes is called Fes el-Bali. It is huge and maze-like. It has more than 9,000 small streets. You cannot walk in a straight line because the streets go everywhere. There are no cars, so you have to walk everywhere with your own feet. Because it is so big and confusing, it takes a lot of time just to walk from one side to the other. Getting lost is part of the fun, but it means you need more time.
Many Historic Attractions
Fes is not just a place for shopping. It is the old cultural capital. It has many historic attractions that you need to stop and look at. There are old madrasas (Islamic schools) with very beautiful carved wood and mosaic tiles. There are big city gates, the famous leather tanneries, and very old mosques. You need time to go inside these places and take photos. You can read more in our guide what is Fes famous for.
Day Trips Nearby
Another big reason people stay longer is because of the places outside the city. Nearby destinations add extra days to the itinerary. Fes is in a very good location in the middle of northern Morocco. From here you can take a car or a train to see the Roman ruins or the blue city. Having 3 days gives you time to do this.
What to Do in Fes in 1 Day
Sometimes you only have a little bit of time. If you only have 24 hours, you can still see the best things. Here is how travelers with limited time can see the highlights of Fes in one day.
Explore the Medina
You must start your day early in the medina. Walk in the two main streets, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira. These are the biggest streets where all the shops are. You will see people selling traditional clothes, spices, and fresh food. It is very busy and noisy but very beautiful.
Visit the Tanneries
In the middle of the day, you must visit the Chouara Tanneries. This is the most famous place in Fes. You go up to a balcony and look down at the big stone pools. The workers use natural colors to dye the leather animal skins. It smells a bit strong but they give you fresh mint to smell. It only takes about 45 minutes to see this.
See the Blue Gate
In the afternoon, walk to Bab Bou Jeloud. This is the famous Blue Gate. It is the main entrance to the old city. It has beautiful blue tiles on the outside and green tiles on the inside. It is a perfect place to take a nice photo.
Watch Sunset at the Marinid Tombs
Before it gets dark, take a small taxi up the hill outside the city walls. Here you will find the Marinid Tombs. It is an old ruin. From here you have a complete panoramic view of the whole city of Fes. Watching the sunset here is the best way to end your fast one day trip.
What to Do in Fes in 2 Days
If you have two days, the trip is much better. You do not have to rush. Many travel itineraries show that two days allows visitors to experience the culture and main landmarks in a very good balanced way.
Day 1: Explore the Historic Medina
Your first day should be all about the old streets and the crafts. You can start at the Blue Gate and walk deep into Fes el-Bali. You have time to visit the Chouara Tanneries slowly and talk to the shop owners. You can look at the beautiful leather bags and maybe buy something. You also have time to see the metal workers making copper plates in Seffarine Square. You can sit in a small cafe in the medina and drink sweet mint tea and watch the local people. It is a very good day to see how real traditional life happens.
Day 2: Madrasas, Museums, and Gardens
On your second day you can focus on the beautiful architecture. You should visit the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Al-Attarine Madrasa. These are old schools with incredible mosaic tiles and carved wood. After this, you can walk to the University of Al-Qarawiyyin. It is the oldest university in the world. You cannot go inside if you are not Muslim, but you can look through the big open doors. In the afternoon you can walk to the Royal Palace to see the giant golden doors, and then walk in the old Jewish Quarter (the Mellah). This gives you a complete view of the city history. Read more in our guide on the best things to do in Fes.
What to Do in Fes in 3 Days
Having three days is the best choice. Travel guides often recommend three days for a more relaxed visit and nearby trips. It is the ideal itinerary for people who like to travel slowly.
Day 1: Explore Fes el-Bali
Just like the two day plan, you spend your first day getting lost in the giant medina. You see the famous Blue Gate, you walk in the busy souks, and you visit the leather tanneries. Because you have three days, you do not need to look at your watch. You can stop and take many photos.
Day 2: Historic Sites and Markets
On day two you visit all the historic sites. You go to the old madrasas and see the beautiful Islamic art. You visit the Royal Palace gates and the old Jewish Quarter. For lunch you can eat a traditional Fes pastilla, which is a sweet and salty pie made with chicken and almonds. In the evening you go up to the Marinid Tombs to watch the sunset over the thousands of houses.
Day 3: Day Trip or Cultural Experience
On your third day you have two good choices. You can do a cultural experience inside Fes. For example you can take a local cooking class where you learn how to make a real tagine. Or you can take a day trip outside the city to see the beautiful nature and other towns. Fes is very close to some amazing places, so an extra day is perfect for this.
Best Day Trips From Fes
If you choose to stay 3 or 4 days, you will have extra time. Extra time in Fes allows travelers to explore nearby destinations. Here are the best day trips you can take.
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is the famous blue city in the Rif mountains. It is about 3.5 hours away by car or bus. It is a very long day trip, but many people do it because the blue streets are so beautiful. You can read our guide things to do in Chefchaouen to learn more about it.
Meknes
Meknes is another imperial city and it is very close to Fes. It only takes about 45 minutes by train. It is much quieter than Fes. You can see the giant Bab Mansour gate and the old royal stables where the king kept thousands of horses.
Volubilis
Volubilis is an ancient Roman city in the green hills near Meknes. It has very beautiful mosaic floors that are still outside in the sun. You can visit Meknes and Volubilis together in one easy day trip from Fes.
Factors That Affect How Long You Should Stay
Every traveler is different. There are some factors that affect how long you should stay in Fes. You need to think about these variables before you book your hotel.
First is your travel pace. If you are young and you like to wake up at 7 AM and walk all day until night, then 1 or 2 days is okay for you. If you like to sleep late and have long slow lunches, you will need 3 days.
Second is your interest in culture and history. If you love old architecture, taking photos of old doors, and learning about history, Fes is a paradise for you. You will easily fill 3 days. If you prefer the beach or modern shopping, then maybe just 1 day is enough to see the medina and leave.
Third is day trips. If you want to see Volubilis or Meknes but you do not want to change your hotel, you must add an extra day to your Fes stay.
Finally, think about your overall Morocco itinerary length. If you only have one week in the whole country, you cannot spend 4 days in Fes. You can read our guide how many days do I need in Morocco to balance your time better.
Is One Day in Fes Enough?
Many people who are in a hurry ask if one day is enough. The answer is yes and no.
The pros of staying one day are that you can see the main famous things. You can see the Chouara tanneries, the Blue Gate, and walk in the medina for a few hours. You get the feeling of the city and you take some nice photos.
The limitations are that it will be very tiring. Fes is very big and busy. If you try to see everything in 8 hours, you will feel very rushed. You will not have time to sit down in a quiet riad and drink tea. You will not have time to get lost and find small quiet streets. One day is possible, but two days is much much better.
FAQ About Visiting Fes
Here are some common questions travelers ask when they are deciding how many days to spend in Fes.
Is Fes worth visiting?
Yes, Fes is absolutely worth visiting. It is one of the most authentic and cultural cities in the world. It is a real living medieval city. If you want to see the real traditions of Morocco, you must come here. You can read more in our full article is Fes worth visiting.
How many days do you need in Fes Medina?
To explore the Fes Medina well, you need at least one full day just for walking inside. Because it has more than 9,000 streets, you cannot see it all. But one full day lets you see the souks, the tanneries, and the main madrasas inside the walls.
Is Fes better than Marrakech?
It depends on what you like. Fes is older, more traditional, and more quiet at night. The medina is car-free and more closed. Marrakech is more red, more busy with tourists, and has a very open flat feeling with more luxury restaurants. They are both beautiful. See our guide on the beautiful cities in Morocco.
What is the best time to visit Fes?
The best time to visit Fes is in the Spring (March to May) and the Autumn (September to November). The weather is very warm and pleasant. You should avoid the summer like July and August because it gets very hot in the narrow streets. Read more about the best time to visit Morocco.
Is Fes safe for tourists?
Yes, Fes is generally safe for tourists. The government has tourist police inside the medina. Violent crime is very rare. You just need to watch your pockets in busy areas and ignore young boys who ask for money to show you the way. You can find more details in our guide is Fes Morocco safe.
Conclusion
To summarize everything, 2 to 3 days is ideal for most travelers to visit Fes. This city is very historic and has a lot of magic hidden in its small streets.
Short visits of 1 day can cover the quick highlights if you walk fast, but it is a bit rushed. Longer stays of 2 or 3 days allow deeper cultural experiences. You have the time to really feel the atmosphere, eat good food slowly, and maybe take a nice day trip to the Roman ruins. I encourage you to give Fes the time it deserves. It is a very beautiful place and you will have a wonderful trip!