How Many Days in Fes Morocco Is Enough? 2026 Recommendations

The big question for most travelers: “how many days in Fes is enough?” or “how many days to spend in Fes Morocco?” The UNESCO-listed Medina of Fez (Fes el-Bali) is the world’s largest car-free urban area with over 9,000 alleys, ancient tanneries, madrasas, and souks. It’s overwhelming yet magical.

From traveler forums like Tripadvisor discussions, Reddit threads, and recent blogs (2025–2026), the consensus is:

• 2 days in Fes: Solid minimum for highlights — guided tour, Chouara Tanneries, Bab Bou Jeloud, and quick souk time. Great if part of a bigger Morocco loop (e.g., Marrakech to Sahara to Fes). Extend your trip with a short 2-day Fes desert tour to Erg Chebbi dunes for camel trekking and overnight camping.
• 3 days in Fes: The sweet spot most recommend — relaxed pace to avoid fatigue from the maze-like medina while covering palaces, viewpoints, and a cooking class or hammam. Pair it with a quick 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour including Sahara dunes, gorges, and Ait Benhaddou.
• 4+ days in Fes: Ideal for immersion — add day trips to Volubilis Roman ruins, Meknes, or Chefchaouen (blue city). Perfect for history buffs, photographers, or those wanting riad downtime. Consider a full 4-day Fes desert tour to Marrakech with deep Sahara experiences, or the extended 5-day Fes to Marrakech desert adventure for extra time in Merzouga dunes and cultural stops.

Many say 3 days lets you experience the essence without burnout. For more on itineraries, check the official Visit Morocco tourism page on Fez.

Things to Do in Fes: Top Attractions in 2026

Focus on these UNESCO-recognized highlights (see the official UNESCO Medina of Fez page for heritage details):

• Explore Fes el-Bali medina – wander alleys and hidden squares.
• Visit Chouara Tanneries – iconic leather dyeing views.
• Admire Bou Inania Madrasa – intricate tilework and architecture.
• Enter Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate) – photogenic medina entrance.
• Shop souks for spices, leather, and crafts.
• Sunset from Marinid Tombs – panoramic city views.

For a full list, see Lonely Planet’s 12 best things to do in Fez or Tripadvisor’s top 15 attractions in Fez.

Extend Your Fes Trip: Popular Sahara Desert Tours from Fes

If you’re wondering how many days in Fes Morocco to allocate before heading to the Sahara or Marrakech, consider combining your city stay with one of these highly-rated desert adventures from Sahara Serenity Tours:

• Thrilling Fes Desert Tour 2 Days – Quick escape to Erg Chebbi dunes with camel trekking, desert camp overnight, and sunrise views.
• Fes to Marrakech Desert Tour 3 Days – Classic route through dunes, gorges, and Ait Benhaddou, ending in Marrakech.
• Unforgettable Fes Desert Tours 4 Days – Deeper Sahara immersion with extra time in Merzouga, sandboarding, and cultural stops.
• 5 Days From Fes To Marrakech – Extended adventure with two nights in the desert camp and scenic High Atlas crossing.

These tours are perfect add-ons if you have 4+ days in or around Fes – book early for peak seasons!