History · Fes · Morocco
7 historic sites to see in Fes
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Mx. Granger, CC0
Quick answer
Start with Fes el-Bali medina, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University and Bou Inania Madrasa. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 9–12 hours across 4 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 9–12 hours
- Areas
- Fes el-Bali, Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud and Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah
Historic sites in Fes
Historic site · Fes el-Bali
1.Fes el-Bali medina
Each trade has its own quarter, from dyers and coppersmiths to leatherworkers and carpenters.
- Time needed
- A full day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Religious site · Fes el-Bali
2.Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University
The mosque is open to Muslims only, but non-Muslims can glimpse its tiled courtyard and fountains through the open doorways.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Religious site · Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud
3.Bou Inania Madrasa
Opposite, the remains of a 14th-century water clock hang on the facade of Dar al-Magana.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Art
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Fes el-Bali
4.Al-Attarine Madrasa
Upper floors held student rooms.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
Religious site · Fes el-Bali
5.Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II
Non-Muslims cannot enter, but can look through the gateway at the decorated interior.
- Time needed
- 15 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Neighbourhood · Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah
6.Mellah and Ibn Danan Synagogue
The restored 17th-century Ibn Danan Synagogue and the whitewashed Jewish cemetery can be visited.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
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Castle · Bab Guissa and the northern hillside
7.Borj Nord
A 16th-century Saadian fortress on the hillside above the medina, built to watch over the city, with views across the rooftops that rival the nearby Marinid Tombs.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Fes el-Bali | Fes el-Bali medina, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University, Al-Attarine Madrasa and Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II | A full day + 20 minutes + 30–45 minutes + 15 minutes |
| Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud | Bou Inania Madrasa | 45 minutes |
| Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah | Mellah and Ibn Danan Synagogue | 1 hour |
| Bab Guissa and the northern hillside | Borj Nord | 30 minutes |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 3 free, 4 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Fes el-Bali medina; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Fes el-Bali): Fes el-Bali medina, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Fes el-Bali, Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud, Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah and Bab Guissa and the northern hillside): Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University → Al-Attarine Madrasa → Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II → Bou Inania Madrasa → Mellah and Ibn Danan Synagogue → Borj Nord, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- January: highs of 16°C (61°F), about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cool, often sunny days and cold nights; riads can be chilly, so check that rooms are heated.
- February: highs of 17°C (63°F), about 8 rainy days, quiet crowds. Mild days and cold nights with rain spells; quiet in the medina.
- July: highs of 36°C (97°F), about 0 rainy days, moderate crowds. Very hot inland heat; sightsee early, rest in the riad at midday, and head out again after sunset.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Fes el-Bali — Riads deep in the medieval medina, among souqs and workshops
- Batha and Bab Bou Jeloud — The medina's western edge, with taxi access and cafés by the Blue Gate
- Bab Guissa and the northern hillside — Hillside hotels with panoramic views over the medina
- Fes el-Jdid and the Mellah — Royal Palace gates, the old Jewish quarter and a local market street
More of Fes
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Fes?
Fes el-Bali medina. Founded in the 9th century and listed by UNESCO in 1981, Fes el-Bali is a dense walled city of souqs, fountains, mosques, funduqs and workshops, threaded by two main streets, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira, that run downhill from Bab Bou Jeloud towards the Qarawiyyin.
+Which of these are free in Fes?
Fes el-Bali medina, Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University and Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II.