If you only have one day in Fes, start at Bab Boujloud, the blue gate of the old medina, and walk through its madrasas, museums and tanneries before ending in the Jnan Sbil Gardens. Fes was founded in 789 and its old city has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981, so a single day is enough for the highlights but not for everything.
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, so this itinerary is built for walking. Wear comfortable shoes, carry small change for entry fees and download an offline map before you go.
Key facts for a day in Fes
- Founded: 789 by Idris I.
- UNESCO listing: 1981 (Medina of Fez).
- Population: about 1.26 million (2024 census), the third-largest city in Morocco.
- Al-Qarawiyyin: founded in 857 by Fatima al-Fihri and recognised as the oldest continuously operating degree-awarding institution.
- Best way to get around: on foot inside the medina; agree taxi prices before you get in.
Morning: Bab Boujloud, Bou Inania and the Nejjarine Museum
Begin at Bab Boujloud, a gate built in 1913 and one of the main entrances to the medina. It is always open and is at its calmest early in the morning.
A couple of minutes away is the Bou Inania Madrasa, a 14th-century former theological school. It is generally open from 9 am to 5 pm and costs about 20 dirhams (MAD), though it can close briefly for prayers.
Next, visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Crafts (about 10 am to 5 pm, around 30 MAD). Photos of exhibits are not allowed, but the courtyard can be photographed, and the rooftop terrace is a pleasant place for mint tea.
Midday: tanneries, Al Attarine and Al-Qarawiyyin
The tanneries are among the best-known sights in Fes. Viewing terraces are usually reached through a leather shop and the tanneries are normally active from about 9 am until sunset. Guides who lead you there expect a tip unless you buy something, and a scarf or a sprig of mint helps with the smell.
Then visit the Al Attarine Madrasa (about 9 am to 6 pm, around 20 MAD). The Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque is not open to non-Muslim visitors, but you can glimpse its courtyard from the doorway or visit the nearby library.
Afternoon: Dar Batha, the Mellah and Jnan Sbil Gardens
The Dar Batha Museum of Islamic Arts (about 10 am to 6 pm, closed Tuesdays, around 60 MAD) has Andalusian-style gardens that make a good rest stop. Phone photos are fine, but large cameras may not be allowed.
Walk on through the historic Mellah quarter and past the exterior of the Royal Palace, which is not open to visitors and is quieter in the late afternoon. Finish at the Jnan Sbil Gardens (about 8 am to 7 pm, free), a calm green space near Bab Boujloud and a gentle way to end the day.
Practical tips for visiting Fes
- Opening hours and prices change, and Ramadan can affect them, so check before you go.
- Politely decline unsolicited “help” from strangers offering directions.
- Add half a day if you plan to shop for rugs or leather.
- Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; see our best time to visit Morocco guide.
Planning more stops? Read our guides to one day in Marrakech and a Chefchaouen day trip.
FAQ
Is one day enough for Fes?
Yes for the main sights. Two days let you slow down, shop and explore the smaller madrasas.
Can non-Muslims enter the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque?
No, but you can see the courtyard from the entrance and visit the library.
When are the tanneries open?
They have no fixed hours but are usually working from around 9 am until sunset.
Sources: Malika in Morocco; Wikipedia, Fez.
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