10 Best Things to Do in Fez (2026 Travel Guide)

Fez is Morocco's spiritual and intellectual heart — a thousand-year-old imperial city whose medina, Fes el-Bali, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981 and remains one of the largest car-free urban areas on the planet. It rewards travelers willing to get lost in its 9,000 alleys. This 2026 guide rounds up the 10 best things to do in Fez, from the oldest university in the world to a day trip to Roman Volubilis, with every recommended activity bookable directly on MaJourneys.

1. Get lost in Fes el-Bali medina

Founded in the 9th century by the Idrisid dynasty, Fes el-Bali is the older of the two medinas inside Fez and a maze of more than 9,000 derbs (alleys) where the only way to move goods is still a donkey. A Fes Medina Guided Tour with a licensed guide is the single best investment of your trip — you'll cover the souks, madrasas, fondouks and tanneries in a logical loop instead of doubling back. For self-guided readers, our editorial Fes el-Bali walking guide retraces the same route.

2. Enter through Bab Boujloud (the Blue Gate)

The most photographed gate in Morocco. Bab Boujloud was built in 1913 by the French Protectorate as a monumental entrance to the old city. Its tiles are blue (the color of Fez) on the outside and green (the color of Islam) on the inside — a small detail tour guides love to point out. Step through it at sunset for the best light.

3. Visit Al-Qarawiyyin — the oldest university in the world

Founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, the daughter of a Tunisian merchant, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University is recognized by UNESCO and the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest continuously operating educational institution in the world. The mosque is not open to non-Muslims, but you can see the famous courtyard from several rooftops in the medina, and the library — restored in 2016 — occasionally opens for exhibitions.

4. Step inside Bou Inania Madrasa

Built between 1350 and 1355 by the Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris, Bou Inania Madrasa is one of the few religious buildings in Fez open to non-Muslim visitors. The carved cedar wood, stucco arabesques and zellige tilework are widely considered the finest surviving examples of Marinid craftsmanship.

5. Look down on the Chouara Tannery

The Chouara Tannery has been processing leather in the same circular stone vats for nearly a thousand years — it dates to at least the 11th century and is the largest of three traditional tanneries in Fez. Shopkeepers around it let you up to their terraces in exchange for browsing (a sprig of mint helps with the smell). Restoration in 2016 cleaned the vats without changing the process.

6. Take a pottery and ceramic workshop

Fez has been Morocco's ceramics capital since the 10th century — its signature deep cobalt blue ("bleu de Fes") and intricate zellige patterns are still cut by hand. Our Pottery and Ceramic Workshop in Fes is a half-day hands-on session with a master artisan in the working pottery district of Aïn Nokbi: throw a piece on the wheel, paint a zellige tile, take it home.

7. Day trip to Volubilis and Meknes

Roman Volubilis sits about 70 km west of Fez and is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997 — the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, complete with mosaics still in situ. Combine it with the imperial city of Meknes (Bab Mansour, the Royal Stables, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail) for a full day. Book the From Fez: Volubilis & Meknes Private Day Trip — private driver, flexible pace, English-speaking guide on-site.

8. Escape to the Middle Atlas cedar forests

An hour south of Fez the landscape changes completely — cedar forests, Berber villages, the wild Barbary macaques of Ifrane National Park. Our From Fez: Middle Atlas Private Day Trip covers Ifrane (the "Switzerland of Morocco"), the cedar forest of Azrou and the panoramic viewpoints of the Atlas. Bring a jacket — it's noticeably cooler than Fez year-round.

9. Day trip to Chefchaouen (the Blue City)

Chefchaouen is a 3.5-hour drive north of Fez, deep in the Rif Mountains. Its medina, painted in dozens of shades of blue since the 1930s, is one of the most photographed places in Morocco. The From Fez: Chefchaouen Private Day Trip is the easiest way to fit it into a Fez-based itinerary without an overnight.

10. Dine in a restored riad

Half the magic of dining in Fez is the setting — a 14th- to 17th-century mansion built around a fountain courtyard. Nur serves a fine-dining tasting menu rooted in Moroccan produce by chef Najat Kaanache and is repeatedly listed among Morocco's best restaurants. The Ruined Garden is more relaxed: long lunches under the bougainvillea in a partly restored 19th-century riad. Dar Hatim is family-run home cooking at its best.

Bonus: see Fez from above

Two viewpoints worth the climb: the Borj Nord Saadian fortress (now the Arms Museum) overlooks the entire medina from the north; the Marinid Tombs ridge gives the postcard angle at sunset. Both are a short taxi from Bab Boujloud.

How to plan your Fez trip

Two full days covers the medina headlines (guided tour + Bou Inania + Al-Qarawiyyin + Chouara) and one workshop. Three days adds a Volubilis-Meknes or Middle Atlas day trip. Four days lets you tack on Chefchaouen. All activities listed above are bookable through MaJourneys with pay-on-arrival — you reserve online and pay the provider directly on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Is Fez worth visiting?

Yes — Fes el-Bali is the largest car-free medieval urban zone in the world, Al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest continuously operating university, and the city is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Two to three days is the sweet spot.

How many days do you need in Fez?

Two days for the medina essentials, three with a day trip (Volubilis-Meknes or Middle Atlas), four to add Chefchaouen.

What is Fez famous for?

The 9th-century Al-Qarawiyyin University, the Chouara Tannery, the carved-cedar madrasas of the Marinid period, blue zellige ceramics, and being Morocco's oldest imperial capital.

Can you visit Al-Qarawiyyin mosque as a non-Muslim?

The prayer hall is closed to non-Muslims, but you can see the famous courtyard from several rooftops in the surrounding medina, and the library hosts occasional public exhibitions.

Is Fez safe for tourists?

Yes. Fez is broadly safe; the usual urban precautions apply. Hire a licensed guide on your first day in the medina — the alleys are confusing and unofficial "helpers" can be aggressive.

What's the best time to visit Fez?

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) for mild temperatures. Summer (July-August) is hot inside the medina; winter is cool and quiet but rainy.

Ready to plan? Browse all Fez activities on MaJourneys and book your favourite — confirmation is by WhatsApp and you pay on arrival.