Hotels in Fes

Staying in Fes

Fes is the Moroccan destination where the choice of accommodation truly changes the experience of the stay. Sleeping in a riad in Fes el-Bali, the UNESCO-listed medina, means living to the rhythm of the alleys, the souks and the craftsmen's workshops; staying in the Ville Nouvelle means wide avenues, classic hotels, cafés and easier access by car. In between, Fes el-Jdid and the area around the royal palace offer a middle position. The right choice depends mostly on your mobility, your luggage and the people travelling with you.

The medina of Fes is pedestrian: cars stop at the gates, such as Bab Boujloud or Bab R'cif, and the rest is done on foot, sometimes with the help of a porter. That is the charm of riads, but also a constraint with heavy suitcases, a pushchair or a person with reduced mobility. The Ville Nouvelle, around Avenue Hassan II, is linked to the medina by the red petit taxis and gathers the chain hotels, the banks and the railway station. Fes has hot summers and cool winters; spring and autumn are more pleasant periods for walking.

Where to stay in Fes

• Fes el-Bali, the medina

  Riads and guesthouses in the heart of the alleys, within walking distance of the souks, the medersas and the tanneries. Ideal for immersion; check the walking distance from the nearest gate and let the riad know your arrival time.

• Ville Nouvelle

  Classic and chain hotels, aparthotels, restaurants and cafés along wide avenues. Easy access by car, car parks and the railway station nearby; the medina is a petit taxi ride away.

• Fes el-Jdid and the edge of the ramparts

  A few hotels and riads near the Mellah, the royal palace or Bab Boujloud: the compromise between car access and proximity to the old town.

Good to know before you book

• In the medina, ask the riad for precise directions (which gate, meeting point) and whether someone can come and fetch you: the alleys are hard to find alone the first time, especially at night.
• Riads are often small: if you are travelling as several families or with young children, check the number of rooms, the steep stairs and whether there is an unfenced pool before booking.
• In summer, choose an air-conditioned room; in winter, traditional houses can be chilly, so ask about heating. During religious holidays and the city's major festivals, the medina fills up quickly.

Questions about Fes

Frequently asked questions