Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10–25 | $30–70 |
| Food | $5–10 | $10–25 |
| Transport | $2–5 | $5–15 |
| Activities | $3–10 | $10–30 |
| Entry Fees | $1–5 | $5–10 |
| Daily Total | $25–55 | $60–150 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Entry & Visas
- Visa-free for 90 days for EU, US, UK, and many other nationalities
- Keep a digital and physical copy of your passport — you may be asked to show it at accommodation check-in
- Entry fees for sites should be paid in MAD — exchange money at banks in the Ville Nouvelle for the best rates
Health & Safety
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is recommended
- Drink bottled or filtered water only — tap water in Fes is not safe for visitors
- The medina is generally safe but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and be wary of unofficial guides
Getting Around
- The medina is entirely pedestrian — navigation is on foot with donkeys and handcarts
- Petits taxis (red in Fes) cover the Ville Nouvelle and to/from the medina gates — insist on the meter
- CTM and Supratours buses connect Fes to other Moroccan cities. Trains run to Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier
Connectivity
- Buy a Maroc Telecom or Inwi SIM card at the airport for affordable data — 30 MAD for 5GB
- WiFi is available at most riads but quality varies. Download offline maps of the medina before arriving — GPS is unreliable in the narrow lanes
- Share your itinerary with someone at home — the medina can feel disorienting and communication helps
Money
- Currency: MAD (Moroccan Dirham). Cash is essential in the medina — most vendors do not accept cards
- ATMs are plentiful in the Ville Nouvelle. Visa and Mastercard widely accepted at hotels and upscale restaurants
- Tip 10% at restaurants. Hammam attendants expect 20–30 MAD. Guides and porters appreciate 50–100 MAD per day
Packing Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip — medina lanes are uneven cobblestone, often wet and slippery
- Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees, especially for women visiting religious areas
- A day pack, reusable water bottle, and portable charger — you will walk 15,000+ steps daily in the medina
Cultural tips
Respect Religious Sites
Non-Muslims cannot enter mosques in Morocco (with rare exceptions). Observe from doorways respectfully. During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours out of respect — restaurants in the medina will still serve tourists discreetly.
Dress Modestly
Fes is a conservative city. Both men and women should cover shoulders and knees, particularly in the medina and near religious sites. Women may attract less unwanted attention with modest clothing. Headscarves are not required but can be a respectful gesture when visiting shrines.
Photography Etiquette
Always ask before photographing people, especially women and children. Many Moroccans are happy to be photographed, but some are not — respect a refusal immediately. Tannery workers and artisans may expect a small tip (5–10 MAD) for posed photographs.
Language & Greetings
Learn basic Arabic greetings: "Salaam alaikum" (peace be upon you) opens every interaction. "Shukran" (thank you) and "La, shukran" (no, thank you) are essential for navigating the souks. French is widely spoken and useful as a backup.
Support Local Artisans
Buy directly from workshops and cooperatives rather than middlemen tourist shops. Fes's artisan traditions — pottery, leather, brass, weaving — are UNESCO-recognised and under economic pressure. Every direct purchase helps sustain centuries-old craft knowledge.
Embrace the Pace
Fes operates on its own rhythm. Shops close for Friday prayers, lunch breaks are long, and time is approximate. Rushing misses the point — sit in a cafe, drink mint tea slowly, and let the medina come to you.
