Fès-Meknès, Morocco

Fez

Fez el-Bali, the old medina of Fez, is a maze of thousands of lanes with madrasas, mosques, souks and leather tanneries, and is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.

Fez: Exclusive Fez Medina Walking Tour with Private Guide
Featured walk: Exclusive Fez Medina Walking Tour with Private Guide · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Fez was founded in the 8th and 9th centuries and was Morocco's capital for long periods. Its medina, Fez el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

No cars can enter the medina's narrow lanes, so goods are still carried by donkey and handcart. It is easy to get lost, which is why most visitors take a guide.

What makes Fez distinctive

  • The Chouara tannery and its dye pits
  • The Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas
  • Al-Qarawiyyin, one of the world's oldest universities
  • The Blue Gate, Bab Bou Jeloud

Walking tours in Fez

Hand-picked guided walks in Fez, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

Compare with other cities: History walks

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Fez el-Bali

    The old walled medina.

  • Fez el-Jdid

    The 13th-century 'new' town, with the Royal Palace and the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter.

  • Ville Nouvelle

    The 20th-century town with wide boulevards, hotels and the station.

  • Andalusian Quarter

    The medina's east bank, quieter than the rest.

Free self-guided walk

Fez medina, from the Blue Gate to the tanneries

A free self-guided walk through the Fez medina, from the Blue Gate down Talaa Kebira past the Bou Inania Madrasa to the Al-Attarine Madrasa and the Chouara tannery.

1.6 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Talaa Kebira

    The main lane from Bab Bou Jeloud down through the medina to the Qarawiyyin.

  2. Madrasas and tanneries

    From the Al-Attarine Madrasa to the Chouara tannery.

  3. Fez el-Jdid

    From the Royal Palace gates through the Mellah.

Practical walking notes

  • Navigation

    The medina is a maze and maps help little; a guide is useful for a first visit.

  • Terrain

    The lanes slope steeply, with steps and uneven paving.

  • Touts

    Unofficial guides may approach you; book an official guide in advance.

When to visit

  • Spring

    March to May is warm and pleasant.

  • Autumn

    September to November is comfortable for walking.

  • Summer

    July and August are very hot.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Fès–Saïs Airport is about 15 km from the city.

  • By rail

    Trains reach Casablanca, Rabat, Meknès and Tangier.

Local transport

  • Petit taxis

    Small red taxis run between the medina gates and the new town.

Questions travellers ask about Fez

Do I need a guide in the Fez medina?

Not legally, but its lanes are confusing, so a guide helps on the first day.

How many days do I need in Fez?

Two days covers the medina, the madrasas and the tanneries.

Is Fez worth visiting if I have seen Marrakech?

Yes. Its medina is older, larger and more traditional.

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Country overview

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Medina lanes, souks and courtyards hidden behind plain walls

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.