Fes is Morocco's oldest imperial city, and its medina, Fes el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. This guided day trip from Casablanca, with lunch included, makes it possible to see the highlights in one very full day, though it is a demanding one. You leave early, drive across the country, spend several hours with a local guide among the lanes, and return late. In between you can expect the great tilework and carved cedar of the madrasas, the doors of the Al-Qarawiyyin quarter, which is associated with one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world, the colourful craft souks and the leather tanneries, where hides are dyed in stone vats in a scene as photogenic as it is pungent. A guide is essential here, because Fes el-Bali is a labyrinth in which even locals use landmarks to navigate. This trip suits travellers who cannot spare an overnight but want a real taste of the city, and it is an efficient way to add a second great Moroccan city to a Casablanca stay. If you can afford time, an overnight stay in Fes would be kinder, but the day trip delivers the essentials.
What the day looks like
The departure is early, followed by several hours on the road. In Fes you meet a local guide for a walking tour of the medina with a lunch stop, usually with a traditional Moroccan meal, then free or semi-free time for shopping before the drive back. Exact stops vary by operator, so check the itinerary, but you should expect madrasas, souks and a tannery viewpoint. Non-Muslims cannot enter most working mosques, so the guide shows exteriors and doorways, and the highlights are the madrasas that are open to visitors.
Practical advice
Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes, since the medina has uneven stone lanes, slopes and steps. Cover shoulders and knees. Take small notes for tips and purchases, and agree prices before accepting anything in the shops. Tannery viewpoints sometimes hand out mint sprigs to mask the smell. Because the day is long, bring water, a charger and a layer for air conditioning, and eat a good breakfast. The drive is several hours each way, so travellers prone to travel sickness should come prepared.
Is it worth it in one day? For many travellers, yes, because Fes is unlike anywhere else, and a guided day gives you its core without logistics. For others, the long drive eats the experience, and a night in Fes or a stop on the way to the desert or Chefchaouen makes more sense.
Think about your tolerance for road time and your priorities, and compare it with the closer Rabat day trip, which is much easier. Fes has its own character, and if you love medinas, you will probably want to come back for longer.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day trip from Casablanca to Fes with a local-guided medina walk and lunch, then the return drive.
Best time
Spring and autumn for comfortable walking; summers in Fes are hot.
How long
A full day, with several hours of driving each way and the rest in the medina.
Tips
Wear sturdy shoes, cover shoulders and knees, carry small notes, agree shopping prices first and bring water.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a taste of Fes without an overnight.
- Families
- Possible with older children, but the long drive and walking make it tiring for the very young.
- Couples
- A memorable shared day, though consider an overnight if you prefer a slower pace.
- Pair with
- A quieter Casablanca day beforehand, and the Rabat day trip for contrast.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How long is the drive?+
It takes several hours each way, so expect a long day. Confirm departure and return times with the operator.
Is lunch included?+
Yes, lunch is part of this product. Confirm the menu and dietary options with the operator.
Can I enter the mosques?+
Non-Muslims cannot enter most working mosques in Fes, but madrasas and other sites are open to visitors.
Do I need a guide in the medina?+
Yes. The lanes are a maze, and a guide explains the history, the crafts and the tannery viewpoints.
Is a day trip enough?+
It covers the highlights. An overnight allows a slower pace and a second day in the medina.
