Fès
Fès5days
5
Days
40
Activities
1
Location
15
Meals out
08:00
Earliest start

Budget Explorer's Guide to Fès and the Middle Atlas

Discover the ancient alleyways, vibrant souks, historic museums, and surrounding mountain trails of Fès on an affordable five-day itinerary tailored for budget travellers.

  • 13Food stops
  • 9Sights
  • 9Markets & shops
  • 4Museums
  • 3Outdoors
  • Film & theatre
  • budget
  • solo
  • friends
  • fes
  • morocco
  • medina

Day by day

Day 1

Heart of Fès el Bali8 Activities

Explore the historic medina, visit local artisans, shop through the historic markets, and tour key museums.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Cafe Clock

    08:00 – 09:00

    Start the day with traditional mint tea and Moroccan pastries on the rooftop terrace.

  2. 09:1510:45
    Sightseeing

    Explore the Medina of Fes

    09:15 – 10:45

    Navigate the sprawling UNESCO-listed car-free urban zone and admire historic architecture.

    • entryFree
  3. 11:0012:30
    Shopping

    Souk Shopping in Fes el Bali

    11:00 – 12:30

    Browse traditional stalls offering leather goods, spices, and handmade pottery.

  4. 12:4514:00
    Food

    Lunch at The Ruined Garden

    12:45 – 14:00

    Enjoy fresh, budget-friendly street-style Moroccan salads and tajines in a garden setting.

  5. 14:1515:45
    Sightseeing

    Visit to the Dar Batha Museum

    14:15 – 15:45

    Examine Moroccan arts and crafts housed in a 19th-century summer palace with Andalusian gardens.

    • entryFree
  6. 16:0017:30
    Shopping

    Shopping in the Fes Souks

    16:00 – 17:30

    Wander through dedicated artisan alleys to bargain for textiles and metalwork.

  7. 17:4519:15
    Sightseeing

    Experience Fes el-Jdid

    17:45 – 19:15

    Walk through the 13th-century Royal Palace district and the historic Jewish Quarter.

    • entryFree
  8. 19:3021:00
    Food

    Dinner at Restaurant Chez Rachid

    19:30 – 21:00

    Sample grilled meats, couscous, and vegetable dishes at reasonable prices.

Day 2

Middle Atlas Trails & Historic Districts8 Activities

Combine mountain hiking with local shopping and city strolls.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Cafe Slavia

    08:00 – 09:00

    Fuel up with fresh orange juice, coffee, and Moroccan breads.

  2. 09:1512:30
    Outdoor

    Hiking in the Middle Atlas Mountains

    09:15 – 12:30

    Trek through cedar forests and scenic foothill trails just outside the city.

  3. 12:4514:00
    Food

    Lunch at Resto Cinema Cafe

    12:45 – 14:00

    Stop for an affordable meal featuring local sandwiches and tagines.

  4. 14:1516:15
    Outdoor

    Hiking in the Middle Atlas Mountains

    14:15 – 16:15

    Continue along mountain ridge trails overlooking countryside valleys.

  5. 16:3017:30
    Sightseeing

    Experience Fes el-Jdid

    16:30 – 17:30

    Stroll past the monumental gates of the Royal Palace at golden hour.

    • entryFree
  6. 17:4518:30
    Shopping

    Shopping in the Fes Souks

    17:45 – 18:30

    Hunt for cheap souvenirs, ceramics, and embroidered slippers.

  7. 18:3519:25
    Sightseeing

    Explore the Medina of Fes

    18:35 – 19:25

    Take an evening walk through lit alleyways as shops wind down.

    • entryFree
  8. 19:3021:00
    Food

    Dinner at Cafe Restaurant La Medina

    19:30 – 21:00

    Relax with a hot tagine dinner in the center of the medina.

Day 3

Culture and Craftsmanship8 Activities

Delve deeper into the artistic history and bustling commercial streets of Fès.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Cafe La Comedie

    08:00 – 09:00

    Enjoy a simple, budget breakfast of local bread, honey, and coffee.

  2. 09:1510:45
    Sightseeing

    Visit to the Dar Batha Museum

    09:15 – 10:45

    View carved woodwork, zellige tile patterns, and historic Fassi pottery.

    • entryFree
  3. 11:0012:30
    Shopping

    Souk Shopping in Fes el Bali

    11:00 – 12:30

    Discover local herbalists and traditional carpet sellers in the old city.

  4. 12:4514:00
    Food

    Lunch at Thami's

    12:45 – 14:00

    Eat popular street food and cheap local dishes near Bab Bou Jeloud.

  5. 14:1515:45
    Sightseeing

    Experience Fes el-Jdid

    14:15 – 15:45

    Explore the vibrant streets surrounding the Jewish Mellah.

    • entryFree
  6. 16:0017:30
    Shopping

    Shopping in the Fes Souks

    16:00 – 17:30

    Browse leather goods near the tanneries and copperware markets.

  7. 17:4519:15
    Sightseeing

    Explore the Medina of Fes

    17:45 – 19:15

    Pass through landmark gates and view ornate mosque exteriors.

    • entryFree
  8. 19:3021:00
    Food

    Dinner at Restaurant Dar Hatim

    19:30 – 21:00

    Dine on home-style Moroccan cooking served in an authentic setting.

Day 4

Nature and Market Discoveries8 Activities

Head outdoors for mountain views before returning to search for market bargains.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Made in M

    08:00 – 09:00

    Enjoy breakfast pastries, fresh tea, and fruit smoothies.

  2. 09:1512:30
    Outdoor

    Hiking in the Middle Atlas Mountains

    09:15 – 12:30

    Hike scenic mountain paths, passing limestone cliffs and evergreen trees.

  3. 12:4514:00
    Food

    Lunch at Snack Malak

    12:45 – 14:00

    Grab a quick, budget-friendly meal of grilled skewers and Moroccan breads.

  4. 14:1515:45
    Shopping

    Souk Shopping in Fes el Bali

    14:15 – 15:45

    Shop for culinary spices, argan oil, and handcrafted lanterns.

  5. 16:0017:15
    Sightseeing

    Visit to the Dar Batha Museum

    16:00 – 17:15

    Revisit the museum courtyard for quiet reflection among historic artifacts.

    • entryFree
  6. 17:2018:25
    Shopping

    Shopping in the Fes Souks

    17:20 – 18:25

    Find affordable leather slippers and brass trinkets.

  7. 18:3019:25
    Sightseeing

    Experience Fes el-Jdid

    18:30 – 19:25

    Walk the wide avenue leading towards the historic city walls.

    • entryFree
  8. 19:3021:00
    Food

    Dinner at Nagham Cafe

    19:30 – 21:00

    Enjoy a traditional dinner with rooftop views overlooking the medina.

Day 5

Medina Highlights & Farewell8 Activities

Finish your trip with final sightseeing, market shopping, and museum visits.

  1. 08:0009:00
    Food

    Breakfast at Creperie Ville Nouvelle

    08:00 – 09:00

    Have a relaxed breakfast before heading into the ancient quarter.

  2. 09:1510:45
    Sightseeing

    Explore the Medina of Fes

    09:15 – 10:45

    Revisit favorite medina corridors and admire detailed plasterwork.

    • entryFree
  3. 11:0012:30
    Shopping

    Shopping in the Fes Souks

    11:00 – 12:30

    Pick up last-minute handmade gifts and traditional spices.

  4. 12:4514:00
    Food

    Lunch at Cafe Restaurant Zohra

    12:45 – 14:00

    Savor authentic couscous and pastilla at family-friendly prices.

  5. 14:1515:45
    Sightseeing

    Experience Fes el-Jdid

    14:15 – 15:45

    Take photos outside Bab Dekkaken and the outer palace ramparts.

    • entryFree
  6. 16:0017:30
    Shopping

    Souk Shopping in Fes el Bali

    16:00 – 17:30

    Final chance to bargain for artisan leather and ceramics.

  7. 17:4519:15
    Sightseeing

    Visit to the Dar Batha Museum

    17:45 – 19:15

    Enjoy a final look at classic Moroccan craftsmanship.

    • entryFree
  8. 19:3021:00
    Food

    Dinner at Chez Hakim

    19:30 – 21:00

    Celebrate your last night in Fès with a hearty, inexpensive tagine meal.

Make it yours