Solo Female Travel Guide to Fes
Fes is a intermediate-level destination for solo women travelers in Morocco.
Where to Stay in Fes
Fes el-Bali
The world's largest car-free urban zone and Morocco's most intense medina
Best for:Adventurous travelers ready for sensory overload and genuine medieval architecture
Nine thousand lanes with no cars, no street signs, and no easy way out. Tanneries, mosques, foundouks, and food stalls layered over a thousand years. You will get lost. That is part of it. Hire a guide for the first day then try alone once you have landmarks memorized.
Donkeys carrying goods, artisans in workshops, tourists with guides, and locals who navigate by instinctVille Nouvelle
The French-built new town with wide boulevards and modern restaurants
Best for:Travelers who need a breather from the medina with familiar comforts nearby
Built during the French protectorate with a grid layout and tree-lined avenues. Feels like a different city from Fes el-Bali. Chain cafes, banks, pharmacies, and restaurants with menus in French. Useful for errands but not where the character lives.
Local students and professionals going about daily life, very few touristsBudget
Average daily budget: $30/day
Where to Stay
Charming family-run riad in the heart of the Fes medina. The rooftop terrace has sweeping views and
$$Ornate Moorish-style quarters in a lavish hotel with fine dining, a rooftop terrace & a plush spa.
Down-to-earth dorms in an old-world hostel offering a courtyard & a rooftop terrace.
Dar Seffarine is a stunningly beautiful and historic riad that offers a truly authentic Moroccan exp
$$Stayed there with my son for two nights. Karim is a brilliant, very wordly and witty host, which mak
Such a nice place in the middle of the new town of Fès and just 1 km away from the train station, it
Where to Eat & Drink Coffee
Sister location to Marrakech's Café Clock with the same welcoming vibe. Famous for camel burger, Mor
Enchanting garden restaurant in a restored riad with lush plants, fairy lights, and Moroccan-Mediter
Things to Do
Peaceful public gardens between the old and new cities with fountains, walking paths, and shaded ben
The famous leather tanneries where hides are dyed in colorful stone wells—a centuries-old process. V
Stunning 14th-century Islamic school with intricate tilework, carved cedar, and marble. It's one of
Half-day cooking classes where you shop at the souk with a chef, then cook traditional Moroccan dish
Beautiful museum in a restored funduq (caravanserai) showcasing Moroccan woodworking. The building i
This workshop is specifically designed for solo female travelers, providing a safe and supportive en
This shared day trip offers a convenient and social way for a solo traveler to visit the iconic "Blu
Events & Festivals
Fes, Morocco's spiritual capital, offers the most authentic Ramadan experience with centuries-old mosques, pre-dawn suho
Month 3–4Morocco's spiritual capital is also its culinary heart, and this intimate festival celebrates Fassi cuisine — widely con
Month 4One of the world's most prestigious spiritual music festivals brings Sufi singers, gospel choirs, Buddhist monks, and sa
Month 6Just 30km from Fes, the charming mountain town of Sefrou hosts Morocco's oldest festival celebrating the cherry harvest
Month 6What Women Are Asking About Fes
- I explored Fes medina without a guide and survived
Everyone told me I absolutely needed a guide for the Fes medina. I hired one for day 1 (which was helpful to get oriented) but then explored on my own...
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fes safe for solo female travelers?
The medina's maze-like layout is the most intense in Morocco — hiring a guide for your first day and dropping GPS pins on your riad is essential for building orientation. Street attention exists but tends to be less intense than in Marrakech. Conservative dress is important here, especially near mos
What are the best neighborhoods in Fes for solo women?
Top areas include Fes el-Bali, Ville Nouvelle. The world's largest car-free urban zone and Morocco's most intense medina
How much does it cost per day in Fes?
Budget travelers spend around $30/day in Fes.
What is the best time to visit Fes?
March to May, September to November
How do I get around Fes?
The entire medina is car-free and walkable (or donkey-accessible). The ville nouvelle has petits taxis. You'll do a lot of walking on uneven cobblestones — bring comfortable shoes.
What should I know before visiting Fes as a woman?
Even more conservative than Marrakech — cover up, especially near mosques and religious schools. The medina is extremely confusing, hiring a guide for first day is highly recommended. Fake guides and touts are aggressive at medina gates — firmly say no or hire official guide from your riad. Photogra
Can I meet other solo women travelers in Fes?
Yes. Hostels, cafes, and coworking spaces are great for meeting other travelers. The Sola app connects solo women travelers in Fes.
What are the must-do activities in Fes?
Navigate Fes el-Bali medina, the world's largest car-free zone, Visit the famous Chouara Tannery (bring mint to mask smell), Explore Al-Qarawiyyin University, world's oldest continuously operating, Shop for pottery in Seffarine Square, Admire Bou Inania Madrasa's intricate tilework, Watch artisans at work in traditional workshops, Visit the Royal Palace golden gates, Day trip to Meknes and Volubilis Roman ruins
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