Last Updated on July 29, 2025
Knowing what not to do in Fes will set you up to have a smooth, worry-free time in this historic Moroccan city.
Fes, also spelled Fez, 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.
In Morocco, “medina” simply means “city.” Fes has two medinas, the Fes el Djedid, which was built in the 14th century, and Fes el Bali, which was built towards the end of the late eighth century. Visitors usually spend most of their time in the “old” medina, Fes el Bali.
Fes is a beautiful city filled with history, museums, architecture, delicious food, and culture that is all worth learning about.
If you’re headed to Fes, read on to find out what not to do in Fes. You’ll learn must-know Fes travel tips, including the Moroccan customs visitors should know, and how to hail the right type of taxi.
- What Not to Do in Fes, Morocco: 13 Must-Know Travel Tips
- 1. Don’t Stay Outside of Fes el Bali
- 2. Don’t Book a Hotel (Book a Riad Instead!)
- 3. Don’t Drink Tap Water in Fes
- 4. Don’t Forget to Wander the Medina
- 5. Don’t Accept Unsolicited Help or Directions
- 6. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
- 7. Don’t Get Into Taxis Without Agreeing on Price
- 8. Don’t Forget to Learn About Local Customs
- 9. Don’t Take Photos Without Permission
- 10. Don’t Forget to Download an Offline Map App
- 11. Don’t Barter for Unfair Prices
- 12. Don’t Carry Large Bills of Moroccan Dirhams
- 13. Don’t Forget to Day Trip From Fes
- Final Thoughts: What Not to Do in Fes
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What Not to Do in Fes, Morocco: 13 Must-Know Travel Tips
1. Don’t Stay Outside of Fes el Bali
The old medina in Fes is truly the best area to stay in. Fes el Bali is where most visitors spend the bulk of their time in Fes, and so it makes sense to stay in this part of the city.
This medina area is the world’s largest surviving medieval city, and urban car-free zone. If you stay in this historic part of Fes, you will be in the heart of the city, and within walking distance to the most well-known attractions.
The reason staying outside Fes el Bali makes the “what not to do in Fes” list is that it’s inconvenient. Most of the sites you’ll want to see in Fes, like the souks, Medersa Bou Inania, and Chouara Tannery, are within the old medina.
2. Don’t Book a Hotel (Book a Riad Instead!)
In Fes you have the option to book regular hotels, but I recommend booking a riad for your stay. A riad is a traditional house or palace that typically has an interior open-air courtyard and garden. They’re usually multiple floors, and have multiple rooms.
The riads in Fes have stunning architecture and design. While some riads have been modernized, others are more traditional in their decor.
What’s most amazing about the riads in Fes is how quiet they are. When you step into a riad off the busy streets of the medina, you’ll notice it’s suddenly calm and quiet, a nice respite from the bustling city.
In the past, riads were the estates of Morocco’s wealthiest citizens, merchants, and courtiers. But today, many of the riads in Fes have been converted to hotels. A visit to Morocco is not complete without a stay in one of the beautiful buildings!
When I was last in Fes, I stayed at Dar Hafsa. This guest house in Fes is mid-range in price, and it’s great value! There’s a range of room types to choose from, and all of them are gorgeous and comfy,
Dar Hafsa is a gorgeous traditional home that is known for its fantastic location, gorgeous terrace,and welcoming staff. They also serve a delicious breakfast every morning. I can confirm it’s delicious, because I’ve stayed at Dar Hafsa! You can book Dar Hafsa, here.
3. Don’t Drink Tap Water in Fes
It’s probably best to drink filtered or bottled water when visiting Fes. While most locals do drink tap water, it may not be worth the risk for visitors. You don’t want to end up with a stomach bug during your trip.
When eating at food stalls and restaurants, it’s best to buy bottled water, or bring your own filtered water. One solution is to bring a filtering water bottle with you to Morocco. Filtering your own water is a sustainable tourism practice because it will reduce how much plastic waste you generate.
There are various systems to choose from that suit different needs, but all systems have the same function: they filter contaminants out of water, making it safe to drink. There are tons of options to choose from, Lifestraw is a popular one, but I personally love my Grayl bottle.
4. Don’t Forget to Wander the Medina
What not to do in Fes? Don’t overplan! It’s easy to plan your days in Fes to be busy with activities, but this doesn’t leave much time for wandering.
Fes el Bali was founded as the capital of the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808 AD. Today, this medina is known for being one of the oldest and best-preserved medinas in the Arab world.
Fes el Bali is a complicated maze of about 9,000 winding alleyways. The alleys are way too narrow for cars, and so the best way to get around is on foot. Because of this, Fes el Bali is thought to be one of the largest car-free zones in the world!
Fes el Bali is worth exploring without too much of an itinerary, because a slow wander gives you the chance to really take in the architecture and history of the medina. You’ll come across quiet neighborhoods, beautiful alleys, and little shops.
5. Don’t Accept Unsolicited Help or Directions
It’s common to be offered unsolicited help (or directions) in Fes. Typically what will happen is that a local will approach you, and tell you they can guide you to your riad, or wherever you’re going.
There will be no mention of pay for this help, but once they’ve brought you to your destination, they’ll ask for an overinflated tip. Usually, they won’t leave until you’ve paid them.
In situations where you actually need the help, this isn’t a bad service to pay for. But, it’s better that you ask a police officer, or someone inside a shop. This is because you have no idea how much you will be asked to pay in exchange for the service if you go with someone who approaches you.
In my experience, this happens a lot in Fes when heading to Chouara Tannery, so be cognizant of it when you’re making your way to the tannery.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
You will likely find yourself being approached often by locals in Fes. They may want to offer you guidance, like I mentioned in the previous point. Or, they’ll want to take you to your shop, or sell you something right there on the spot.
In some cases, you might find yourself becoming irritated by this, especially if it happens to you often. Don’t be afraid to speak up and firmly say no.
I found that being firm and walking away without engaging worked pretty well. Often, this point blank statement sends the hopeful salesperson right on their way.
7. Don’t Get Into Taxis Without Agreeing on Price
There are two types of taxis in Morocco. “Petite” taxis and “grand” taxis. Petite taxis seat only 3 people, and they are meant to charge you based on a metered price. A petite taxi can take you to specific locations within city limits.
Grand taxis can hold up to 8 people, and you pay a specific rate for your seat. These taxis don’t begin their trip until they are filled, or until people pay for the seats that are remaining. Grand taxis usually go to destinations further out, like to neighboring villages.
While in Morocco, I mostly used petite taxis. Whenever you get into a petite taxi you need to ask for the meter (or use the French word because it’s more common, “compteur”).
In Fes, taxi drivers will often tell you that their meter is broken. In this case, decide on a price before the trip begins. In most cases, the taxi driver will start with a high price. Barter a little bit before landing on an agreed price.
8. Don’t Forget to Learn About Local Customs
Depending on where you’re traveling to Morocco from, you might find that the culture, customs, and traditions are different from what you’re used to at home. And that’s okay! Learning about cultures outside our own is an exciting part of travel.
Take the time to learn about Moroccan customs and traditions, and then be respectful of them (avoid cultural appropriation!). For example, in Morocco, all genders traditionally dress modestly.
When visiting Morocco, women travelers can show cultural respect by wearing long, loose-fitting clothing that covers the upper arms, knees, chest, midriff and back. Men can show respect by covering their shoulders and their legs.
Another important custom in Morocco is etiquette around meals. If you eat in local restaurants, or are invited into a local’s home for a traditional Moroccan meal, you’ll notice that dishes are eaten with your hands instead of using cutlery. It’s also customary to eat only with the right hand.
9. Don’t Take Photos Without Permission
An important thing not to do in Fes has to do with taking pictures. As with traveling anywhere, photo-taking should be intentional and respectful. In Morocco, some locals will refuse being photographed for religious reasons.
So how can you be a responsible tourist when taking photos? If you would like to take a picture of someone, ask for their permission. If you intend to share a photo of someone to your social media, or any public platform, it’s important to have explicit consent to do so.
When taking photos of streets or alleys in Fes, be aware of who might end up in the frame. If you can, wait a moment until local people are out of the frame before snapping the image.
It’s also important to think about what a photo depicts. Sharing images of impoverished, or less developed communities for self-gratification is an unfortunate symptom of the White Saviour Industrial Complex.
10. Don’t Forget to Download an Offline Map App
The only way to get around the medina in Fes is by walking. Some of the historic center’s streets are so narrow that only pedestrians, motorbikes, and bicycles can access this part of the city.
It’s easy to get lost in the medina in Fes. The medina is made up of over 9000 winding alleyways that intersect, and aren’t always well marked.
An offline map app is your best bet for ensuring you don’t get lost! While offline isn’t absolutely necessary, I recommend downloading maps to use offline *just in case* you run out of data for whatever reason.
I usually use Google Maps for my offline maps. To download an offline map of Fes, go into your settings, tap “Offline Maps,” and select a region to download.
You’ll likely find that map apps aren’t always super accurate in Fes el Bali, so you might get lost a few times. It’s good to factor this in when you’re planning how long it will take to get to specific locations in the medina.
For example, when I had tour guides to meet, I added an extra 15 minutes onto the walking time to make sure there was leeway time if I got lost.
11. Don’t Barter for Unfair Prices
Being a budget traveler while visiting Fes isn’t bad, as long as you ensure that your budgeting practices don’t go overboard.
In many countries around the world, including Morocco, bartering prices is common practice. And it’s also common that tourists will generally be asked to pay higher prices than a local would. Some people call this the “tourist tax.”
Some travelers are upset by the tourist tax, but I’d argue that it’s fair that locals maximize their income by setting prices based on what a buyer can afford, and the strength of their home currency.
If you can afford to travel, then you can afford to pay prices that are fair. And yes, that fair price may be more than what a local would pay. In practice, it is good to barter in Fes. I would ask the initial price, and then barter down once from there.
This advice isn’t just for Fes, you’ll want to follow this responsible budget travel tip not just in Fes, but all over Morocco, including in other cities like Marrakech.
12. Don’t Carry Large Bills of Moroccan Dirhams
Morocco’s currency is the dirham (MAD). Dirhams come in various denominations. There are 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirham notes in circulation, as well as coins.
While visiting Fes you’ll find yourself wanting to buy little things here and there. Maybe some street food or a drink, or something to take home from the souks. You may need to take a taxi, pay bus fare, or pay for a meal.
It’s best to carry small bills while in Fes. This makes paying simpler because the vendor won’t need to find change for you (and they won’t be able to claim that they don’t have change).
13. Don’t Forget to Day Trip From Fes
What not to do in Fes? Don’t just see Fes! While Fes is a beautiful and exciting city, there’s much more to Morocco. Beyond the bustling city there are deserts, mountain villages, seaside towns, and more.
Exploring beyond Fes will give you more insight into life in Morocco, and a well-rounded experience. Luckily, there’s plenty of day trips that run out of Fes, so seeing beyond the city is simple! Whether you want to visit a historic town like Bhalil, or see Roman ruins, there’s something for everyone.
Below are 2 recommended tours to choose from:
Visit the Imperial City of Meknes
Morocco’s Imperial Cities are the old capitals of historic empires and dynasties that ruled over the kingdom for centuries. Up in the Atlas Mountains, about an hour’s drive from Fes, is Meknes. This Imperial City is known for its authentic doors, Moorish architecture and medieval walls.
Not far from Meknes is a second site worth seeing: Volubilis. There you’ll find some of the best preserved ruins in Morocco, of an old Roman city. The ruins are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On this Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip from Fes you’ll get to explore the Medina of Meknes, go to the historic remains of Volubilis, and see the holy town of Moulay Idriss.
Visit the Blue Town: Chefchaouen
This small Moroccan city is up in the Rif Mountains, about a 3.5 hour drive from Fes. Chefchaouen was originally built as a fortress in the 15th century. Today, it’s known for its blue buildings, creamy native goat cheese, octagonal mosque, and Spanish ruins.
Visiting Chefchaouen as a day trip from Fes is a packed day with lots of driving. But, the views on the way up are beautiful, and the drive is well worth it.
This Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouen starts with a hotel pickup in Fes. You’ll do the drive in a small, air conditioned minivan.
What I appreciate about this day tour is that you have some time to explore Chefchaouen on your own. It’s a nice balance of learning from your guide, and freedom to do your own thing.
Final Thoughts: What Not to Do in Fes
I hope these tips for what not to do in Fes help you plan a worry-free, memorable trip to this awesome city. I wanted to share these because I truly believe that being an informed tourist is the best way to be a responsible tourist!
After spending a couple days in Fes (I recommend 4 days in Fes), you can head onward to another region of Morocco. For example, you can take the train from Fes to Marrakech.
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