2 days in Fes itinerary
2 days in Fes is all you need to sample Morocco’s oldest imperial city! With this Fes 2 day itinerary, you’ll weave through the UNESCO-listed medina, marvel at madrasas and mosques, peek into traditional workshops (tannery! zellige! brass!), and feast on soulful Fassi cuisine.
Suggested checking: Fes Tours
Day 1
Start your morning inside the walled Fes el-Bali medina. Begin at Bab Bou Jeloud (the Blue Gate), then wander along Tala’a Kebira to the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Al-Attarine Madrasa. Continue toward the University of Al-Qarawiyyin—non-Muslims can’t enter the prayer hall, but the complex and quarter around it are fascinating. If your “Day 1” is a Friday, consider swapping with Day 2 because midday prayers make certain lanes extra busy. A local Fes guide is worth it here—the alleys are a maze and they’ll help you avoid touts and misdirection.
After that first circuit and before heading to the tanneries, grab an early lunch on a rooftop near the Chouara Tannery. Choose a terrace with panoramic viewing platforms; order a tagine or pastilla and enjoy the spectacle of dye pits below. Service can be leisurely—know your order and feel free to politely request the bill when you’re ready.
Post-lunch, step into artisan heritage: the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts in a restored funduq, then a quick stop at a brass or zellige workshop to see chisels and glazes in action. If you prefer a grand overlook, trade one museum for the Borj Nord fortress and museum, capped with a viewpoint across the entire medina at the Merenid Tombs near sunset.
In the evening, keep to the medina’s spine—Tala’a Kebira and Tala’a Sghira—and browse spice sellers, lamp makers, and carpet dens. Bargaining is expected; start low (30% of the first price is a fair opening) and smile your way to a deal.
For dinner, two vibes: the adventurous eater goes classic Fassi with pigeon pastilla and seasonal salads at a family-run riad restaurant. If you’d like authentic food in a more polished, tourist-friendly setting with pretty views, pick a stylish rooftop in the medina for modern takes on traditional dishes.
Day 2
Choose your own adventure: head out in the morning to the Roman ruins of Volubilis (plus nearby Moulay Idriss or Meknes) for sweeping antiquity—or stay in Fes for a museum loop featuring Dar Batha (folk arts) and another deep dive into artisan quarters (pottery kilns in Ain Nokbi, copperware in Seffarine). If it were my call, I’d stay in Fes’s museums and workshops for richer context; travelers who prefer open skies and archaeology should choose Volubilis.
Whichever you pick, break for lunch around Place R’cif. Slip into a local kaysaria eatery for bowls of bissara (fava bean soup), grilled brochettes, or a bubbling kefta tagine. Stalls are used to visitors and will help even if you don’t speak Arabic or French—ask nicely and you might even get a little show for your socials as they plate your meal.
After lunch, explore Fes el-Jdid: stroll the Mellah (old Jewish quarter), admire the (exterior) of the Royal Palace’s golden doors, then decompress in the palm-lined Jnan Sbil Gardens—quiet paths, fountains, and a welcome breeze.
This evening, opt for a traditional hammam (book a scrub at a well-known public or riad spa), then wander to dinner at an elegant riad restaurant for slow-cooked lamb with prunes, seasonal vegetables, and flaky msemen. Some spots serve beer or wine; note that seating can book out on weekend nights (Thursday and Friday), so consider reserving a couple days ahead.
After dinner, trade bars for a tea house or rooftop terrace. Order mint tea or Moroccan coffee, listen for live Andalusian strains drifting over the rooftops, and, if you’re curious, try a mellow sheesha at a café that offers it.
And that’s it—after two days, you’ve covered Fes’s essentials: medina, madrasas, crafts, cuisine, and views. Have extra time? Linger longer—Fes rewards unhurried mornings, longer workshops, and more garden breaks. Want a customized itinerary like this for your whole trip? Share your interests and let’s craft it together!
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