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Planning a few days in Fez, Morocco? You’re in the right place!
Fez is one of Morocco’s key cultural and spiritual centers, and it’s home to centuries worth of fascinating history! But it can also be quite overwhelming at first, especially if it’s your first time here. That’s why we’ve crafted the perfect 3-day itinerary for you to help you get to know this rich, captivating city.
From exploring the bustling medina to relaxing in a traditional hammam, we’ve covered Fez’s must-try experiences as well as the best local eats and even a fun day trip to help you soak up even more Moroccan culture. Ready? Let’s dive in!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal FAVORITE thing we did was this Chefchaouen day trip! Wandering the Blue City’s dreamy alleyways, taking in mountain views, and exploring the quiet medina at our own pace made this an unforgettable highlight of our time in Morocco.
Check out the 230+ five-star reviews and book this tour here!
Itinerary Overview
Getting around Fez is easy when you know how! The best way to explore the old medina is on foot, as most of it is pedestrian-only anyway. We do recommend downloading an offline map of Fez el-Bali in advance, though, since it’s easy to get lost in its maze-like layout! Saying that, we also found that locals were more than happy to point us in the right direction whenever we needed a helping hand.
Then, for longer trips, you can use petit and grand taxis. Metered petit taxis are affordable and generally the best way to travel within the city limits. They can usually take up to three passengers, so if you’re in a group of four or more, you’ll have to split up! Then, grand taxis are designed for intercity travel and can take up to six people, although they’re often shared.
However, for day trips, we would recommend joining guided tours or hiring a private taxi rather than relying on grand taxis. That way, you’ll enjoy a more personalized experience, and you don’t have to go through the process of haggling for a decent fare.
Day 1: Ease into Fez with a guided tour that helps you navigate the medina’s winding alleys and historic highlights. Later, head up to the Merenid Tombs for a golden-hour view before ending the night with dinner and a peaceful wander through the medina as it quiets down.
Day 2: Today is your big day trip. Choose between the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen or the ancient ruins of Volubilis and the holy town of Moulay Idriss. Back in Fez, unwind with a home-style dinner at a cozy riad restaurant.
Day 3: Spend your morning getting lost in the medina and unwinding with a traditional hammam. Enjoy a relaxed lunch before diving into a hands-on cooking class that doubles as dinner. Then, wrap up your Fez adventure with either mint tea or live music!
Day 1
Morning/Afternoon – Explore Fez through the eyes of a local
Exploring Fez with a local guide is honestly one of the best decisions you can make when visiting for the first time! It allows you to get to know the city in a way you just can’t on your own, not in such a short space of time anyway.
We suggest booking this tour for 10 am at the latest to ensure you’ll have time for the Merenid Tombs later on. Grab breakfast at your hotel or somewhere nearby before you head out. There will be a stop for lunch before the tour. The meal will be on your own account, but your local guide will be sure to recommend a great spot!
Fez is all about tiny alleyways and hidden corners, so exploring by yourself can be a pretty stressful experience at first! Having someone who grew up here to show you around makes it so much easier to navigate this bustling city.
After being picked up from your hotel, you’ll head to spots like the Royal Palace and the old Jewish Quarter, and visit panoramic viewpoints to get a sense of just how big and ancient the city is. Then, you’ll head to the medina for a guided walk around. It can be a bit of a sensory overload at first, but with a local to guide you, you’ll be able to relax and actually enjoy the experience!
We love this tour because it turns Fez from somewhere quite intimidating to a place you can really connect with. It will definitely set you up well for the rest of your time here!
Book this private tour here and enjoy free cancellation!
Late afternoon – Walk up to the Merenid Tombs to enjoy the sunset
For one of the best views in Fez, head up to the Merenid Tombs overlooking the old city! It’s a short hike and it’s a little steep, but not overly strenuous. It’s an easy walk that takes about 20–30 minutes to get here from Bab Guissa on foot, or you can jump in a taxi if you’d prefer not to walk.
The tombs themselves are temporarily closed, but you can still wander up to the area and enjoy the views! You get a whole new perspective from Fez up here. We recommend arriving about an hour before sunset and then settling in to watch the sky do its thing. It’s also a good idea to bring some snacks and a flask of tea with you.
Just be sure to head back down before it gets fully dark, as the path isn’t lit after sunset. We think that this is the perfect way to end a day in Fez and relax after wandering the bustling medina. But if you’re feeling tired after today’s sightseeing tour, you can always just use this time to rest up before dinner.
Dinner – Fondouk Bazaar
There are lots of fantastic restaurants in the medina, but we like Fondouk Bazaar for its delicious mix of Moroccan and Mediterranean flavors. Dining in the medina tends to be less of a formal experience and more about the food and atmosphere. But saying that, this restaurant is very pretty with a lovely rooftop terrace!
Fondouk Bazaar is actually housed inside a beautifully restored riad in the very heart of the medina. We fell in love with its bohemian flair, as well as the saffron risotto—it was so good! The grilled sea bass topped with chermoula is another great choice, or in true Moroccan style, they have plenty of fragrant tagine options on the menu. We recommend ordering several different dishes to try—and you may well have found some inspiration on your walking tour this morning.
Evening – Stroll through the medina as night draws in
If you’re anything like us, you’ll leave Fonoduk Bazaar feeling pretty full, so let your dinner digest with a stroll through the medina. It really quiets down in the evening, and it’s nice to explore as the crowds thin out. You’ll see shopkeepers closing down their stalls for the day, and after dark, the streets are lit up with lanterns, which only adds to the charm of the area.
And you can always stop for a drink or a mint tea along the way at a rooftop bar. We recommend Rooftop – Riad Fès Relais & Châteaux because it’s a beautiful bar that offers fantastic views of the medina and beyond. It’s a magical place to end your first day in Fez!
Day 2
We’ve got two exciting options for day trips from Fez today. The first is to head to Chefchaouen to admire its pretty, blue-painted streets. It’s one of Morocco’s most iconic destinations, and you’ll have plenty of time to explore at your own pace, so it’s a great option to choose if you’re quite an independent traveler.
If you’d prefer a slightly shorter day trip with less travel time involved, you can head to the ancient city of Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss. These are two of Morocco’s most important cultural sites, so this is a great choice for history lovers.
Option 1: Morning/Afternoon – Snap photos in Chefchaouen, “the Blue Town”
Set in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is Morocco’s famous “Blue City,” loved for its serene lanes, striking shades of blue, and endless photo opportunities. It’s a peaceful escape from Fez, and this day tour is the easiest way to visit without staying overnight.
This tour starts at 8 am, unless you go for the private option, which gives you a bit more flexibility. It lasts for 11-12 hours, so you’ll get back to Fez at around 8 pm. It’s a long day, but it’s worth it to see this unique town. It’s unlike anywhere else we’ve ever seen!
The day starts with a scenic drive through the Rif Mountains, then when you arrive in Chefchaouen, you’ll have around 4 hours to explore the medina at your own pace. Or if there are eight or more people on your tour, you’ll get a guided walk around the city.
Key sights in Chefchaouen include Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the kasbah museum, the Grand Mosque, and the Ras Elma river. If you’re interested in local culture, we recommend a visit to the ethnographic museum for a fascinating look at the region’s musical instruments and historic weapons. Then, it’s back to Fez!
This is a pretty long day with a fair amount of travel time involved, but it’s worth it if you don’t have time to stay overnight in Chefchaouen. You really can’t miss the chance to see the Blue City while you’re in Morocco, and the glowing reviews certainly attest to that. Plus, it’s a super affordable experience—although we do think the private tour is well worth it if there’s room in your budget.
Book your spot here with free cancellation before it sells out!
Option 2: Morning/Afternoon – Explore ancient Volubilis and the holy city of Moulay Idriss
If you’re looking to explore Morocco’s rich history outside of Fez, this day trip to Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, and Meknes is a must. It offers an insider look into some of the country’s most fascinating ancient sites and makes it so easy to visit them all in just one day.
The tour offers starting times at 8:30 am, 9 am, or 9:30 am, so just choose whichever one suits you best! It lasts for 7-8 hours, so assuming you go for the latest time, you’ll finish up somewhere between 5:30 and 6 pm.
The tour offers hotel pickup, and it should take about 1.5 hours to get from Fez to Volubilis. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. You’ll have time to walk among its ancient houses and public buildings and just take it all in.
Then, you’ll head to Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. This is a sacred city that was built around the tomb of Idris I, who founded the Moroccan state. Then, your final stop will be the imperial city of Meknes, where you’ll see iconic landmarks like the Bab Mansour gate and the Heri es-Souani granaries, as well as the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail.
This private tour is ideal for history lovers, with friendly drivers and a well-paced itinerary that lets you soak in each stop. And with over a HUNDRED glowing five-star reviews, you can book confidently knowing past travelers loved it too.
Read 100+ 5-star reviews and book this epic history tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Dinner/Evening – Fez & Friends
We were absolutely delighted to stumble upon the hidden gem that is Fez & Friends when we were here! It’s a lovely spot tucked inside a traditional riad near the Blue Gate. It’s decorated with lush plants and colorful tiles, so it has a quintessentially Moroccan feel to it. The staff are so warm and friendly too—in fact, chances are that you’ll end up chatting with the chef before the night is over.
One thing we like about this place is the fact that the menu changes seasonally, so you can be sure that you’ll be getting the best produce available. The dishes are always beautifully presented, and they put a creative spin on Moroccan classics. I highly recommend trying the chicken pastilla with a light citrus glaze, although they also have camel burgers on the menu if you’re looking to try something a bit different.
Day 3
Breakfast – Cinema Cafe
Cinema Café is one of our favorite breakfast spots in Fez! It’s a cozy little hideaway inspired by the golden age of cinema, and it’s decorated with vintage movie posters.
The breakfast menu here is pretty simple, but everything is full of flavor. You can opt for Moroccan classics like msemen (crispy layered pancakes) with honey, or go for a Western breakfast like avocado toast. Either way, we highly recommend washing it down with their smooth, strong coffee or a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice—yum!
The cafe opens at 8 am each morning, so aim to get there around then. This will give you a bit of time to explore the medina after breakfast before your hammam experience.
Morning/Early afternoon – Explore the medina
Once you’ve finished breakfast, take some time to explore the medina at your own pace. It features over 9,000 twisting alleys, and it’s basically a living museum! When we first explored its labyrinthine streets, we were amazed. We saw donkeys delivering goods and craftsmen hammering copper by hand.
This is a good part of Fez to just wander around without a plan, and the area is at its liveliest in the morning. As you walk around, you’ll see the city wake up and probably be enticed by the smell of all the little bakeries dotted around. Keep an eye out for the zellij-tiled fountains, too—they’re really pretty, but people often miss them as they’re usually tucked away down smaller side streets.
Spend some time wandering around before heading for your massage at 10 am. Saying that, if spa treatments aren’t really your thing, you can always spend some extra time wandering the medina until lunch instead!
Enjoy a traditional Hamman
Experiencing a hammam is a must while you’re in Fez. I mean, not only is it a great way to immerse yourself in Moroccan culture, it’s also just a wonderful wellness experience. This hammam ritual is our favorite one in the city because it takes place in the Palais Amani, a luxury riad that’s housed in a restored palace. It’s a 23-minute walk or 9-minute drive from the breakfast spot, so if you’re walking, we recommend heading roughly in that direction as you explore the medina.
You can either book a massage or go for the full hammam ritual, which involves body scrubs and hot rooms for the ultimate purification. Local assistants will guide you through it all and explain each step along the way. I can certainly vouch for the fact that they leave your body feeling lighter and refreshed!
Book this relaxing hammam ritual here for the ultimate way to unwind!
Lunch – Zohra
Zohra is a wonderful family-run restaurant right near the Blue Gate. It’s small and unpretentious, with traditional decor and a warm and welcoming ambiance. The food here is hearty and everything is homemade, so it’s the perfect spot to tuck into some authentic Moroccan comfort food.
What initially drew us to this place was that we saw a lot of locals dining here alongside travelers, so we took that as a good sign! And, sure enough, the prune tagine was amazing. We even tried pastilla fassia, a traditional sweet-and-savory pie made with pigeon!
Since this is a more local spot, the food here is really affordable, too. We recommend getting here around 1 to 1:30 pm for a slightly later lunch, as it’s located right next to where the cooking class starts. Don’t worry, the class lasts for 4 hours, so you’ll probably be hungry again by the time it comes to actually eating the meal you’ve prepared.
Afternoon/Dinner – Learn to cook local Fez dishes
What’s the best way to get to know Moroccan cuisine? By cooking it yourself, of course! So rather than eating in a restaurant tonight, book this top-rated cooking class and learn how to prepare meals like a local.
The class starts at 3 pm, and it’s just a 1-minute walk from today’s lunch spot. It lasts for 4 hours, and of course, you get to eat the fruits of your labor at the end of the class, so this will serve as dinner. You should wrap up around 7 pm, in time to celebrate your last night in Fez.
Before you cook, your instructor will take you to a traditional souk in the medina and show you how to pick out the best spices and freshest ingredients for your meal. Then, it’s back to the stunning restored palace where you’ll spend the rest of the afternoon cooking up on the rooftop!
When we did this class, we prepared a zesty eggplant caviar starter (Zaalouk) and a slow-cooked chicken tajine. It smelled amazing, and it tasted even better. And no worries if you’re vegetarian—just let the hosts know when you book the tour and they’ll cater for you.
Once the cooking was complete, we got to sit down and enjoy our meal in the lush palace gardens overlooking the rooftops of the medina. It was a nice chance to hear some stories about Fez from people who live and work here, and to get to know our fellow travelers as well.
Book this cooking class here and pay nothing until 48 hours before you go!
Evening – Relax with traditional tea or catch a show
It’s your last night in Fez, so make it count with a fun evening activity! If you feel like something calm and romantic, head to The Ruined Garden. This is a charming restaurant set in a quiet courtyard, and you can either grab dessert here or just enjoy a mint tea to help digest your dinner.
But if you’re in the mood for something livelier, check what’s on at Café Clock. They often host live Andalusian music, storytelling nights, or even open mic sessions. It’s a really fun spot that attracts a lot of creatives. The music usually starts at around 7 pm, so the night should be in full swing by the time you arrive after the cooking class.
Where to Stay in Fez, Morocco
Now that you know how to spend three days in Fez, you just need a fabulous place to stay! We recommend staying in or close to the Old Medina, because this puts you at the very heart of the city. It’s a beautiful and atmospheric area, so it’s truly the perfect place to soak in all that Fez has to offer.
Plus, there are lots of excellent hotels here. Below, we’ve shared our top picks for every budget. They’re all very close together, so whichever one you pick, you’ll enjoy a prime location.
Luxury – $$$
If you want a hotel with a wow factor, Hotel & Spa Dar Bensouda is the place to stay. This is an absolutely gorgeous property that just oozes Moroccan charm. It’s housed in a restored palace, and it boasts intricate woodwork and mosaics that you’ll never get tired of looking at.
There’s a gorgeous hammam here where you can enjoy a traditional bath, as well as beauty treatments and massages. The hotel also has a lovely rooftop terrace that offers sweeping views of the medina, as well as an upper terrace overlooking the Atlas Mountains.
Rooms and suites here typically range from $100 to $500 USD per night, depending on the dates. Check availability and book your stay here!
Mid-range – $$
Riad Zamane Fès offers a luxurious stay at a pretty modest price. It’s a small property with just seven rooms, each of which is beautifully decorated with traditional Arabic decor. There’s a lovely spa on site and a terrace that overlooks the old city, where you can enjoy authentic Moroccan cuisine from the on-site restaurant.
What we love about this hotel is that it offers such a calm and quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the medina. It’s a beautiful boutique gem, and the amazing reviews certainly speak to that!
Rooms here range between $100 and $200 USD per night. Book your stay here!
Budget – $
Riad Sidrat Fes is an affordable hotel that offers a quintessentially Moroccan stay— what’s not to love about that? From the blue-and-white tiled walls to the stained glass windows and intricately carved wooden doors, this place offers a picture-perfect riad stay in the heart of the Old Medina.
One of my favorite things about this riad is that it offers complimentary tea and local pastries all day long—yum! Traditional afternoon tea is also served daily. Plus, you get a free one-way airport shuttle when you book a stay for three nights or longer. This is also a smart choice for solo travelers because you can book a single room to save money!
Rooms here cost between $50 and $150 USD per night. Snag this great value stay here!
For more great places to stay, check out all the listings for Fez here!
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Thanks for reading!
If you’re craving a city rich in history, flavor, and charm, Fez will stay with you long after you leave. This 3-day itinerary highlights the best of Morocco’s cultural capital, from guided medina walks to hammam relaxation, home-style meals, and even a trip to Chefchaouen, balancing big sights with time to truly connect with the city. We hope you love it here as much as we do!
Before you go, be sure to explore our other Africa guides here for even more ideas. Whether Fez is your main stop or just one part of a bigger adventure, we’ve got plenty of tips, tours, and itineraries to help you craft an unforgettable journey. Or here are a few related blogs below to get you started!
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