Fes rewards travelers who dedicate at least three full days to exploring its layered history, artisan workshops, and labyrinthine streets that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. A well-structured itinerary helps solo visitors balance iconic landmarks like the tanneries and Al-Qarawiyyin University with quieter moments in rooftop cafés and local eateries. This schedule offers flexibility depending on whether you have a long weekend or nearly a week, allowing you to adjust based on energy levels and spontaneous discoveries. Before diving into daily plans, familiarize yourself with essential preparation steps through this solo traveler’s guide to Fes, which addresses safety considerations, packing essentials, and neighborhood recommendations that will enhance every day of your itinerary.
Day One: Orientation And Medina Essentials
Your first day should focus on getting comfortable with the medina layout and hitting a few major sites without overloading your brain. Start with breakfast at your riad then walk toward Bab Boujloud, the famous blue gate that marks the main western entrance. From there follow Talaa Kebira, the primary street that runs downhill through the heart of the old town. This street is wide by medina standards and lined with shops, food stalls and small cafés. Walking it end to end gives you a mental anchor for navigation later.
Stop at Bou Inania Madrasa about ten minutes down the street. This religious school built in the fourteenth century is one of the few sacred sites in Fes open to non Muslims. The courtyard features intricate tilework, carved cedar and a sense of calm that contrasts with the noise outside. Spend twenty minutes here. Let yourself absorb the detail. After that continue down Talaa Kebira until you reach Place Seffarine, a small square where metalworkers hammer copper pots in the open air. The sound is loud and rhythmic. It feels like stepping into a living museum.
By now you have probably been walking for two hours and sensory fatigue starts to set in. Find a rooftop café near the square and take a break. Order mint tea and watch the medina from above. This pause is essential especially on your first day. Trying to cram too much too fast drains your energy and makes everything blur together. After your break walk back uphill toward your riad using side streets instead of the main route. Getting a little lost on purpose helps you learn the medina faster than following maps rigidly.
In the late afternoon rest at your accommodation then head out for an early dinner near Bab Boujloud. The area around the gate has several budget friendly restaurants with rooftop seating. You can watch the gate light up as the sun sets. End the day early. Your body needs time to adjust to the new environment, the walking and the constant stimulation.
Day Two: Tanneries And Artisan Quarters
Day two is when you dive deeper into what makes Fes unique. Start early and head toward Chouara Tannery, the most famous of the city’s leather dyeing pits. Many leather shops around the tannery offer rooftop viewpoints for a small fee or in hopes you will buy something afterward. You do not have to purchase but it helps to be polite and at least look at what they sell. The tannery itself is a working site where men stand in stone vats filled with natural dyes. The smell hits you hard. They often hand you a sprig of mint to hold under your nose.
Visit in the morning when light is best for photos and workers are most active. Spend about thirty minutes here then wander the surrounding streets which are packed with leather goods. If you want to buy a bag or jacket this is the place but be ready to bargain. Prices start inflated. Offering half and negotiating from there is normal. If you do not enjoy haggling just smile and walk away. No one will be offended.
From the tannery area walk toward the dyers souk where you see skeins of colored wool hanging to dry across narrow alleys. This neighborhood feels less touristy and more functional. You might be the only visitor in some passages. That quiet intensity is part of the charm. Keep your camera ready but always ask before photographing people directly. Most workers do not mind but some prefer privacy.
Around midday find a small local restaurant away from the main tourist streets. Look for places where you see Moroccan families eating. Order a tagine or couscous and take your time. Solo travel gives you the freedom to linger over meals without worrying about group schedules. After lunch head back to your riad for a siesta. The medina empties a bit during the hottest hours and your feet will thank you for the rest.
In the late afternoon visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts. This beautifully restored fondouk displays traditional woodworking tools and furniture. The building itself is worth the visit. The rooftop café offers another great view and a peaceful spot to journal or plan your next day. Return to your riad before dark and consider arranging a traditional hammam experience for the evening. Many riads offer private sessions which feel less intimidating for first timers traveling alone.
Day Three: Al Qarawiyyin And Deeper Exploration
Day three is about slowing down and exploring sites that require more focus. Begin with a visit to the Al Qarawiyyin Mosque and University area. The mosque itself is closed to non Muslims but you can peek through doorways and visit the recently restored library if you book in advance. The university founded in 859 is considered one of the oldest continuously operating educational institutions in the world. Walking through the surrounding neighborhood gives you a sense of how religious scholarship shaped Fes for over a millennium.
From there head toward the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter located near the royal palace. This area feels different from the main medina. Streets are wider and balconies overhang in a style that reflects the Jewish community that lived here for centuries. Most of that community left after 1948 but a few synagogues remain including the Ibn Danan Synagogue which is open to visitors. The Jewish cemetery on the edge of the Mellah offers a quiet reflective space away from the bustle.
After exploring the Mellah walk toward the gates of the Royal Palace. You cannot enter but the massive brass doors and tilework on the exterior are impressive. This is also a good spot to catch a taxi if you want to visit Borj Nord, a hilltop fortress that now houses a weapons museum. The museum itself is okay but the real reason to go is the panoramic view over the medina. You see how the old city sprawls in every direction contained by walls and punctuated by minarets. It puts everything you walked through into perspective.
Return to the medina for a late lunch then spend the afternoon wandering without a specific destination. This unstructured time often produces the best memories. You stumble into a spice market. A craftsman invites you to watch him work. You find a tiny café that serves the best pastries you have tasted. Solo travel rewards this kind of flexibility. If you are feeling social consider joining a cooking class in the evening. Many riads and local hosts offer sessions where you shop for ingredients in the souk then prepare a meal together. It is a natural way to meet other travelers or locals without forced interaction.
Day Four: Day Trip To Meknes And Volubilis
If you have four or five days in the area dedicate one to a day trip. The most popular option is combining Meknes and Volubilis. Meknes is another imperial city about an hour from Fes. It feels smaller and more relaxed than Fes but still offers impressive gates, palaces and a lively medina. Volubilis is a Roman archaeological site between Meknes and Fes with well preserved mosaics and columns. Visiting both in one day is doable with an organized tour or a hired driver.
I prefer booking a small group tour because it handles logistics and provides context through a guide. You leave Fes around eight in the morning, spend a couple hours at Volubilis, have lunch in Meknes then explore the city before returning by late afternoon. Solo travelers benefit from the structure and the chance to share the experience with others without committing to a multi day group trip. If you prefer independence you can take a train to Meknes and arrange a taxi to Volubilis from there but it requires more planning and costs about the same.
Another option is a day trip to Chefchaouen, the famous blue city in the Rif Mountains. This takes longer each way but many solo travelers find Chefchaouen more photogenic and relaxing than Meknes. Tours run daily from Fes and drop you back by evening. Choose based on whether you want history and ruins or mountain scenery and Instagram worthy streets. Both trips are safe and well organized for solo travelers.
Day Five: Crafts, Souks And Final Moments
If you have a fifth day use it to revisit favorite spots, shop for souvenirs and soak in the atmosphere without pressure. Start at the Attarine Souk near the Attarine Madrasa. This area specializes in spices, oils and traditional cosmetics. The colors and smells are intense. You can buy argan oil, saffron, ras el hanout spice mix and black soap for hammams. Prices are better here than at the airport and quality is higher if you choose carefully.
Visit the Attarine Madrasa itself which rivals Bou Inania for beauty but sees fewer visitors. The quiet allows you to sit in the courtyard and appreciate the craftsmanship without crowds. From there wander toward the henna souk where you find natural dyes, pottery and woven baskets. If you want to ship items home some shops arrange international delivery though I usually stick to what fits in my bag.
Spend your last afternoon at a hammam if you have not done it yet or return to a rooftop café to reflect on the trip. Fes moves fast and it helps to pause before you leave. Write down a few highlights or people you met. Solo travel produces these small moments that fade if you do not capture them somehow. Have a final dinner at a place you enjoyed earlier in the week or try somewhere new based on recommendations from your riad host.
If your departure is the next morning pack tonight and arrange your taxi in advance. Leaving early from the medina requires coordination especially if your riad sits deep inside. Confirm pickup time and meeting point with your host so you do not stress on your last morning.
Final Thoughts
Three to five days in Fes gives you enough time to move past the initial overwhelm and start connecting with the city on a deeper level. The structure in this itinerary helps you cover the essentials while leaving space for the spontaneous experiences that define solo travel. Once you have your days planned and you feel confident about your schedule you might want to explore some of the solo friendly activities and tours I cover in my guide to the best things to do alone in Fes which goes into more detail on cooking classes, hammams and other immersive experiences that work well when you are traveling by yourself.
