Book hostels in Fes
The oldest medieval medina on earth. Tanneries, tiles, and tea on rooftops.
Fes is older, deeper and more intricate than Marrakech. Fes el-Bali, the ancient walled medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest car-free urban areas on the planet. The hostels here are generally smaller, more atmospheric, and a little quieter — perfect for slow travellers, history buffs, and anyone who wants to get properly lost in a maze of alleys.
Highlights
- Chouara Tannery viewpoint
- Al-Qarawiyyin (world's oldest university)
- Bou Inania Madrasa
- Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud)
- Getting pleasantly lost in Fes el-Bali
Best for
- Slow travellers
- History and architecture lovers
- Foodies (Fes has Morocco's best food scene)
- Solo travellers wanting quieter nights
When to visit
Spring and autumn again — Fes sits at 400m altitude, so summers are a touch cooler than Marrakech but still hot. Winters get cold and occasionally rainy. The city is at its magic in late April and October.
Budget
Slightly cheaper than Marrakech. Dorm beds €7–12. A massive plate of chicken pastilla at a medina kitchen: €4–6. A guided half-day tour of the medina with a real licensed guide: €15–25 (worth it — you'll miss half the story without one).
Getting there
Fes–Saïss Airport (FEZ) has flights to Paris, Barcelona, Marseille, Madrid. From Casablanca/Rabat/Tangier: comfortable direct trains. From Marrakech: night train (8h) or fly (1h).
Safety
Fes is safe but the medina is a labyrinth — easy to lose your bearings. Avoid 'friendly' unofficial guides who offer to walk you through; they take you to shops on commission. At night, stick to well-trafficked alleys or taxi back to your hostel.
Where to stay — neighborhoods
Not all hostels are in the same part of town. Here’s how each area compares.
Fes el-Bali
Best for: UNESCO medina, full immersion
The medieval walled city. Riads-turned-hostels, tanneries, madrasas. Prepare to get lost — it's part of the experience.
Fes el-Jdid
Best for: Royal Palace, mellah, quieter walks
The 'new' 13th-century city, with the Jewish quarter (mellah) and the golden gates of the royal palace. Less intense than Fes el-Bali.
Ville Nouvelle
Best for: Cafés, train connections, modern life
French-built district around Avenue Hassan II. Trendy cafés, tree-lined avenues, and the main train station — handy if you're short on time.
Tips from us
- Book a licensed half-day guide on day 1 — the cultural payoff is huge.
- Tanneries smell intense; shops give you mint sprigs at the door.
- Al-Qarawiyyin mosque is closed to non-Muslims, but the madrasa doors are a masterpiece.
- Hostels in Fes el-Bali are often hidden in riads with unmarked doors — get pickup for the first night.
- Don't miss the evening light on the Bou Inania madrasa.