Last Updated on December 14, 2023
Marrakech has long been a tourist destination, whereas Fes is lesser known. So Fes or Marrakech …which is better to visit? Let’s find out.
Fes and Marrakech are two of the oldest cities in Morocco. While there’s a lot of similarity between these cities, for example, they both have beautiful old medinas that you can explore – There’s also quite a few differences between Fes and Marrakech.
Whether you’re trying to decide if you should visit Marrakech or Fes, or are visiting both and would like to understand how these Moroccan cities are different and similar, this guide is for you.
Fes vs. Marrakech: The Main Differences
Fes is More North in Morocco
The city of Fes (or Fez) is located in northern Morocco, north-west of the Atlas Mountains. Marrakech is further south in the Tensift River valley, with the Tensift River passing along the northern part of the city.
Because of these different positions in Morocco, Fes and Marrakech have slightly different climates. Although most people think of hot weather when they think about Morocco, the climate actually does differ a bit throughout the country.
The climate on the coasts of Morocco is Mediterranean, in the higher elevation regions the climate is humid and temperate, and in the south-western region of Morocco it’s hot and dry. So how does the weather in Fes vs. Marrakech compare? The only real difference is that Fes is typically a few degrees cooler than Marrakech.
If you’re traveling to Morocco during the hottest months, July and August, choosing to visit Fes might be slightly more comfortable. That said, I’m not sure the temperature change is big enough to really notice a difference.
Marrakech is Easier to Navigate
Fes is famous for being a city surrounded by hills, and for its old, maze-like medina. The medina, known as Fes el Bali, was founded as the capital of the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808 AD.
Today, it’s known for being one of the oldest and best-preserved medinas in the Arab world – and for being difficult to navigate. The Fes medina is a complicated maze made up of around 9,000 winding alleyways. The streets are small, and many of them are unmarked. It’s very easy to get lost.
Compared to Fes, Marrakech is much simpler to navigate. The streets of Marrakech’s old medina are well marked, and there are several “main” thoroughfares through the medina that serve as points of reference.
Fes Feels Less Touristy
Marrakech has long been a tourist destination in Morocco. In fact, Winston Churchill famously visited the city in the 1930s, raving about it afterwards.
In the decades that followed an influx of hotels, riads, and budget airlines made Marrakech increasingly accessible to tourists. A really robust tourism industry emerged in Marrakech over those years.
While Fes has also long been a tourist destination, the city hasn’t developed an identity around tourism in quite the same way. Much of the population living near Marrakech’s old medina relies on tourism, whereas in Fes, this isn’t the case.
In Fes, tourism hasn’t become the core business of locals, and so there’s much more opportunity to have glimpses of regular Fes life. Lots of visitors find that overall, Fes feels less touristy than Marrakech.
Marrakech Offers More Street Food
Moroccan street food is available all over the country – but in Marrakech you’ll find it more easily accessible than in Fes. Marrakech’s square and marketplace Jemaa El-Fnaa is where you’ll find an abundance of street food stands selling traditional dishes at all times of the day (and night!)
You can try traditional snail soup, and b’stilla, a pie that is made up of layers of pastry and stuffed with pigeon meat, almonds, eggs and lots of fresh spices. And of course, you’ll want to get a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice!
My personal favourite Moroccan street food is harira. This is a soup that is available all year round, but you’ll find it is especially popular during Ramadan. This soup has tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, sometimes noodles, and sometimes meat. If you get it on the street, it will be served to you in a little paper cup or bowl.
What’s great about trying street food in Marrakech is that you can find tons of options to choose from in one central place: Jemaa El-Fnaa square.
Fes also has street food, but you’ll come across it throughout the medina rather than in one spot. When walking through the alleys of Fes, look out for stalls and carts selling traditional street food, and desserts!
Marrakech Has More Nightlife Than Fes
If you’re looking to enjoy nightlife in Morocco, then you’ll want to visit Marrakech vs Fes. Marrakech is known for its bar and nightclub scene, and most of the best spots to go for a night out are inside, or nearby the old medina.
El Fenn is a rooftop bar inside the medina. This bar has a lovely rooftop with beautiful views of the city, and they serve delicious cocktails. For live music and dancing, head to The Charleston, an old-school cabaret bar. For a quiet, romantic drink (and dinner!) head to La Maison Arabe.
One important thing to note is that during the holy month of Ramadan, many restaurants will stop serving alcohol, and many bars will temporarily shut down. This is because during Ramadan, practicing Muslims don’t eat, drink, or smoke from sunrise to sunset.
Some shops might continue to sell alcohol, just be sure to bring your passport so that you can show that you’re from abroad.
Marrakech is the City of Luxury
If you appreciate luxury travel, you’ll want to go to Marrakech. The city is known as the city of luxury because of its famous palaces, luxurious hammams, 5-star restaurants, and luxury hotels and resorts.
You can stay in the Royal Mansour Marrakech, a 5-star hotel that is a quiet oasis just a short walk from the medina. Or, stay at Residences d’Orient Luxury Riad, a traditional riad that includes a spa.
For fine dining, head to Nouba for traditional Moroccan dishes and entertainment. Or, go to La Terrasse de La Brillante for cocktails and rooftop views of Marrakech.
Fes or Marrakech: Different Points of Interest
Choosing between Fes or Marrakech will depend on what it is you’d like to see. These cities offer different points of interest which are important to consider before deciding which city is the best fit for you.
One major draw in Marrakech that Fes doesn’t have, is Jemaa el-Fnaa. It’s a square and market place in Marrakech’s medina, where you’ll find food stalls, shops, and more. Day and night, this square is bustling with activity.
One major draw in Fes that Marrakech doesn’t have, is the oldest tannery in Morocco. Chouara Tannery is approximately 900 years old. When you visit, you’re able to learn about this history of dying leather, and see the stone tubs where the leather has been dyed for hundreds of years.
In both Marrakech and Fes you will get to explore old medinas, visit palaces, mosques, and museums, and shop in the souks. But iIn general, Marrakech has more points of interest. For example, Marrakech has over 20 museums to choose from, whereas Fes has less than 10.
Marrakech vs. Fes Offer Different Day Trips
What not to do in Morocco? Don’t skip seeing what’s beyond the cities! Marrakech and Fes are both amazing to visit, but it’s worth planning some day trips to see more of the country.
While choosing between visiting Marrakech or Fes, you’ll want to factor in what day trips you would like to do. Because Fes is more north, and Marrakech is more south, these cities offer different options for day trips.
From Marrakech, popular day trips include going to the quiet coastal city of Essaouira, exploring the Ourika Valley, Atlas Mountains and Ouzoud Waterfalls, and heading out into the Agafay desert.
From Fes, you can day trip to the rif mountain town of Chefchaouen, see ancient Roman-Berber ruins at Volubilis, visit the pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss, and explore Meknes’ charming medina.
Fes vs. Marrakech: The Main Similarities
Both Cities are UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Fes and Marrakech are both UNESCO World Heritage sites with long, important histories. Both cities are one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, which means they are historical capitals of the country. Both cities have maze-like medinas, palaces, madrasas, mosques, and souks.
Although both Marrakech and Fes are historic, Fes is cited to be the oldest city in Morocco and one of the most extensive and best conserved historic towns of the Arab-Muslim world.
Fes was originally built by the first Muslim Dynasty, the Idrissids, alongside the Fes river. It’s claimed that it was founded in 789 as a town, and it then eventually grew into a true medina with mosques, palaces, and markets.
Both Are Easily Accessible By Flight
Marrakech and Fes both have international airports that connect to destinations around the world. Marrakesh Menara Airport serves Marrakech, and Fès–Saïss Airport serves the city of Fes.
Although both these airports are international, Marrakech has more daily connections from Europe than Fes. Because of this, it may be more convenient to fly in and out of Marrakech – this will really depend on where you’re flying in from.
From further flung regions, Casablanca, Morocco has the most incoming international flights.
You’ll Experience Moroccan Culture and Hospitality in Both Cities!
Regardless of if you choose to visit Fes or Marrakech, you’ll have an incredible experience. In both cities you’ll get to experience the beauty of Morocco.
Moroccan culture and food, architecture and art, and of course, Moroccan hospitality is central to Marrakech and to Fes. If you can’t decide between Marrakech vs. Fes – go to both! It’s easy to travel between these two cities.
How to Get From Marrakech to Fes (And Vice Versa)
There are several ways you can get from Marrakech to Fes or vice versa. The main modes of transport that tourists use to make the trip are by flight, train, bus, or transfer.
How far is Fes from Marrakech?
Fes and Marakech are about 530 kilometers (329 miles) apart. You can connect between these two Moroccan cities by car, train, or bus. The journey takes between 5 and 6 hours and whether you go by public transport or car, the trip will likely transit through the cities of Casablanca and Rabat.
Fes to Marrakech by train
There is a train that connects Marrakech and Fes. The train is operated by ONCF, departs several times a day, and the journey takes 6 – 7 hours. The train connects through the city of Casablanca. Traveling by train in Morocco is efficient and comfortable, so I definitely recommend this mode of transport for traveling between Fes and Marrakech.
Fes to Marrakech by bus
Morocco’s public bus system is called CTM, and it offers connections between Fes and Marrakech. CTM buses are safe and reliable, they have air conditioning, and some of them offer WiFi. You can buy CTM bus tickets at any of their offices, which are typically located in the bus terminal, or you can buy a ticket on the CTM website. The bus is cheaper than the train, but the journey between Marrakech and Fes is longer by bus.
Fes to Marrakech by transfer
There’s also the option to travel between Marrakech and Fes by private transfer. This typically means traveling between the cities by car or minibus. This is the most expensive option, but if you’re traveling with a group, it can work out to be reasonably priced. In general, this is the fastest way to connect between Fes and Marrakech.
Fes to Marrakech by flight
There are a couple direct flights a week that run from Saiss, Morocco (Fes) to Menara, Morocco (Marrakech). The direct flights are operated by Air Arabia Maroc, and prices are pretty reasonable, since it’s just a one hour long domestic flight.
Since direct flights don’t run daily, you’ll need to plan your trip to Fes and Marrakech according to what days the flights operate. There are indirect flights (1+ stops) that run daily, but these are expensive, and end up taking longer than it would take to travel overland between these cities.
Overall, I don’t recommend transferring between Marrakech and Fes by flight. There are great options for traveling between the cities by train and bus, and skipping the air travel in favour of overland travel reduces your carbon footprint.
Which is Better: Fes or Marrakech?
It’s very hard to argue that one of these Moroccan cities is better than the other, and that’s because both are worth visiting for different reasons.
Personally, I love Fes because it’s less touristy than Marrakech. I have found that it’s easier in Fes to observe local life and connect with local people because in general, less of Fes life is oriented around tourism. But that said, Marrakech is “touristy” for a reason! It’s an equally beautiful city that has a lot to offer.
In a perfect world, you’ll be able to visit both cities while traveling around Morocco. But if you don’t have time for both, I hope this breakdown of the differences between Fes and Marrakech is helpful!
More on Morocco from Pina Travels:
- 4 Days in Fes: A Comprehensive Itinerary
- 3 Best Tours to the Sahara Desert from Marrakech
- What Not To Do in Marrakech
Erin has been traveling for over a decade, both solo, and with her partner. She’s now traveled to countries across 6 continents, and has lived in 2 countries abroad. Erin also hosts the travel podcast, Curious Tourism, where she interviews travel industry thought leaders and experts about responsible tourism. Learn more about Erin, and get in touch with her, here.
