Top things to do in Fes extend far beyond the famous tanneries and medina walks — Morocco’s oldest imperial city hides ancient libraries, secret gardens, underground waterways, master artisan workshops, and culinary traditions that have been perfected over 12 centuries. Fes rewards travelers who dig deeper, and this guide reveals both the essential highlights and the hidden gems that make the city truly extraordinary.

From world-class cultural experiences to off-the-beaten-path discoveries, here is everything worth doing in one of the most fascinating cities on earth.

Must-Do Cultural Experiences

Full-Day Guided Medina Tour

A full-day guided city tour is the essential starting point for any Fes visit. The medina is simply too vast and complex to explore independently on a first visit. A knowledgeable local guide navigates the 9,000 streets, opens doors to hidden madrasas and workshops, and provides the historical context that transforms a confusing walk into a profound cultural experience.

Cooking Class in the Medina

Fes is the culinary capital of Morocco, and a cooking class is one of the most rewarding things you can do here. The experience typically starts with a guided tour of the spice market to buy ingredients, followed by hands-on preparation of classic Fassi dishes — pastilla, tagine, harira, and Moroccan salads — in a traditional riad kitchen. You eat what you cook, which makes for an unforgettable lunch.

Hammam Experience

A traditional hammam (public bathhouse) visit is a quintessential Moroccan experience, and the hammams of Fes are among the most authentic in the country. For first-timers, several riads and boutique hotels offer private hammam sessions with full scrub and massage — combining the cultural experience with comfortable, foreigner-friendly surroundings.

Historic Sites and Architecture

Bou Inania and Al-Attarine Madrasas

These two Marinid-era theological schools represent the pinnacle of Islamic decorative arts in Morocco. Every surface is covered in intricate zellige tilework, carved stucco, and cedar wood calligraphy. The Bou Inania is the only madrasa in Fes still used for prayer, while the Al-Attarine sits beside the Kairouyine Mosque and offers a glimpse into the scholarly world that made Fes the intellectual capital of the medieval Islamic world.

Kairouyine Mosque and Library

Founded in 859 AD, the Kairouyine is recognized as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. While the mosque itself is closed to non-Muslims, the recently restored library — containing manuscripts dating back over 1,000 years — occasionally permits guided visits. Even from the outside, the scale and beauty of the complex is awe-inspiring.

Royal Palace Gates (Dar el-Makhzen)

The enormous brass gates of the Royal Palace are among the most photographed landmarks in Fes. The seven massive doors, decorated with intricate geometric patterns in brass and zellige, represent extraordinary Moroccan craftsmanship. The palace grounds are closed to the public, but the gates and surrounding plaza are worth a visit.

Hidden Gems Most Visitors Miss

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts

Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century fondouk (caravanserai), this small museum showcases traditional Moroccan woodworking with exhibits of carved doors, musical instruments, and household items. The rooftop terrace café offers one of the best panoramic views over the medina.

Dar Batha Museum

Set in a stunning Hispano-Moorish palace with Andalusian gardens, the Dar Batha collection includes some of the finest examples of Fassi ceramics, embroidery, carpets, and carved woodwork. The building itself is as impressive as the collection, and the garden courtyard is a peaceful escape from the medina’s intensity.

Artisan Workshops in the Medina

Fes maintains living artisan traditions that have been passed down for centuries. With a knowledgeable guide, you can visit workshops where master craftsmen create zellige tiles by hand (each tile individually cut and shaped), forge traditional brass lanterns, weave silk brocade on wooden looms, and produce the famous Fes blue ceramics. These visits are not tourist demonstrations — they are working workshops where genuine craftsmanship continues daily.

Best Day Trips from Fes

Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes

The Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes day trip covers 2,000 years of Moroccan history in a single day — from Roman ruins to Islamic holy sites to imperial grandeur. This is the most popular and rewarding day trip from Fes.

Sahara Desert Experience

For travelers wanting the ultimate Fes adventure, the Fes to Fes private desert tour takes you to the Erg Chebbi dunes for an overnight luxury camp experience with round-trip transport back to Fes. Alternatively, the 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour combines the Sahara with a one-way transfer to Marrakech.

Practical Tips for Fes

Book a guide for at least your first full day in the medina. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes with good grip — the medina streets are uneven, steep, and occasionally slippery. Carry cash (ATMs are outside the medina walls). Download offline maps as backup, though they are unreliable inside the covered souks. Be prepared for sensory overload — the medina is noisy, fragrant, crowded, and visually intense. And most importantly, embrace the disorientation — getting lost in the Fes medina is part of the experience, and with a guide by your side, it becomes an adventure rather than a stress.