Free things to do · Fes · Morocco
11 free things to do in Fes
Fes without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Uwe Brodrecht, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 4 days in Fes without paying an entry fee: Fes el-Bali medina, Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate), Chouara Tannery and Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University are all free. Walking the medina, the Blue Gate, the tannery terraces, Jnan Sbil and the Marinid Tombs view cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 11
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Free sights and experiences
Historic site · Fes el-Bali
1.Fes el-Bali medina
Hire an official licensed guide for the first morning to get your bearings, then explore on your own using the main streets as reference lines.
- Time needed
- A full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Photo spot
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Landmark · Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud
2.Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate)
Photograph it early in the morning before the crowds, and ignore anyone offering to guide you here unless they show an official badge.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Photo spot
- Architecture
- Kids
Historic site · Fes el-Bali
3.Chouara Tannery
Come in the morning when the most work is happening and the colours are brightest; accept the sprig of mint offered against the smell.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Kids
- Shopping
Religious site · Fes el-Bali
4.Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University
Look through the main doors from the lane outside without stepping in, and avoid prayer times.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
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Palace · Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah
5.Royal Palace gates (Dar al-Makhzen)
Visit in the morning light and combine it with the Mellah next door.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Photo spot
- Iconic
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Street · Fes el-Bali
6.Place Seffarine
Ask before photographing the craftsmen; buying a small item is a good way to say thanks.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Religious site · Fes el-Bali
7.Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II
Note the wooden bar across the lane, which historically marked the sanctuary limit for animals and non-Muslims.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Viewpoint · Bab Guissa and the northern hillside
8.Marinid Tombs viewpoint
Go about an hour before sunset to hear the calls to prayer rise from the medina below; go with others or a guide and take a taxi back after dark.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
- Kids
Garden · Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud
9.Jnan Sbil Gardens
Walk through it between the Blue Gate and the Royal Palace, and let children run on the open paths.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
Religious site · Andalusian Quarter
10.Andalusian Mosque
Cross the old riverbed from Place Seffarine to explore the quiet lanes of the Andalusian Quarter afterwards.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Outside Bab Ftouh
11.Ain Nokbi potters' quarter
Take a petit taxi there and watch the tile cutters, then compare prices with the medina before buying.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- Shopping
- Free
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fes el-Bali | Fes el-Bali medina, Chouara Tannery, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, Place Seffarine and Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II | A full day + 45 minutes + 20 minutes + 20 minutes + 15 minutes |
| Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud | Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) and Jnan Sbil Gardens | 20 minutes + 1 hour |
| Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah | Royal Palace gates (Dar al-Makhzen) | 20 minutes |
| Bab Guissa and the northern hillside | Marinid Tombs viewpoint | 1 hour |
| Andalusian Quarter | Andalusian Mosque | 20 minutes |
| Outside Bab Ftouh | Ain Nokbi potters' quarter | 1–2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud
Bou Inania Madrasa
Visit in the morning when the courtyard is in sunlight; it closes to visitors at prayer times.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Art
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Fes el-Bali
Al-Attarine Madrasa
Combine it with the Qarawiyyin doorways next door and Place Seffarine a few minutes away.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Fes el-Bali
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts
Finish on the rooftop terrace for mint tea and one of the best views in the centre of the medina.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Views
Neighbourhood · Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah
Mellah and Ibn Danan Synagogue
Visit the cemetery and synagogue together; a small tip to the caretaker is customary.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
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Castle · Bab Guissa and the northern hillside
Borj Nord
Combine it with the Marinid Tombs on the same walk; access to the interior varies.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
Experience · Fes el-Bali
Traditional hammam
For a first visit, a riad or spa hammam explains the process; bring flip-flops and a change of underwear for a public one.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
More ways to save
- Walking the medina, the Blue Gate, the tannery terraces, Jnan Sbil and the Marinid Tombs view cost nothing.
- Eat breakfast and lunch at medina stalls; bissara, sfenj and msemen cost a few dirhams.
- Compare prices in several shops before buying leather or ceramics, and bargain politely.
- Hire an official guide through your riad or the tourist office rather than accepting offers in the street.
- Carry small notes and coins; many stalls and taxis cannot change large notes.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Fes expensive to visit?
Fes is affordable for most visitors, but 11 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Fes?
Fes el-Bali medina: Hire an official licensed guide for the first morning to get your bearings, then explore on your own using the main streets as reference lines.