Forecast
Fes — travel, stays & events guide
Local time--:--
Fes timeWeather Forecast
Fes, MoroccoOpen-Meteo forecast.
Fes city overview
Fes is a city in Morocco shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseFes Saïs (FEZ)
Known forFes, Key city in Morocco, Fes planning base 3, Fes planning base 4
Population~1.2Mcity context
RegionMoroccoMorocco
Time zoneAfrica/Casablancalocal time
Founded788historical origin
City history
During the rule of the Idrisid dynasty (788 to 974), Fez consisted of two cities: Fās, founded by Idris I, and al-ʿĀliyá, founded by his son, Idris II.
His son, Idris II, built a settlement called al-ʿĀliyá on the opposing river bank in 809 and moved his capital here from Walili (Volubilis).
The two cities were united in 1070 and the name Fās was used for the combined site. Foundation and the Idrisids The city was first founded in 789 as Madinat Fas on the southeast.
It was only when the founder of the 'Alawi dynasty, Moulay Rashid, took Fez in 1666 that the city saw a revival and became the capital again, albeit briefly.
Towards the end of World War II, Moroccan nationalists gathered in Fez to draft a demand for independence which they submitted to the Allies on 11 January 1944.
In 1963 the University of Al-Qarawiyyin was reorganized as a state university, while a new public university, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, was founded in 1975 in the Ville Nouvelle.
Other structures built in his time included hammams (bathhouses), mosques, and the first bridges over the Oued Bou Khrareb (mostly rebuilt in later eras).
Although the capital was moved to Marrakesh under the Almoravids, Fez acquired a reputation for Maliki legal scholarship and remained an important centre of trade and industry.
Under the Marinids, many of the principal monuments in the medina were built and the city established its reputation as an important intellectual centre.
This led to the Battle of Wadi al-Makhazin (also known as Battle of the Three Kings) in which Abd al-Malik's army defeated an invading Portuguese army, ensuring Moroccan independence.
He also restored or rebuilt what became known as the Kasbah an-Nouar, which became the living quarters of his followers from the Tafilalt region (the 'Alawi dynasty's ancestral home).
He immediately built a separate fortified palace in the countryside, Dar Dbibegh, where he resided instead.
New gardens and summer palaces, used by the royals and the capital's high society, were built within the corridor, such as the Jnan Sbil Gardens and the Dar Batha palace.
The Ville Nouvelle also became known as Dar Dbibegh by Moroccans, as the former palace of Moulay Abdallah was located in the same area.
Worth seeing
Fes
Fes is a practical Fes planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Key city in Morocco
Key city in Morocco is a practical Fes planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Fes planning base 3
Fes planning base 3 is a practical Fes planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Fes planning base 4
Fes planning base 4 is a practical Fes planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Fes planning base 5
Fes planning base 5 is a practical Fes planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Fes planning base 6
Fes planning base 6 is a practical Fes planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Fes before booking Fes hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Fes by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Fes, MoroccoFlights & airports
Fes Saïs (FEZ) arrival plan
- Fes Saïs (FEZ)Fes Saïs (FEZ), Fes
Compare airport access against hotel location, arrival time, rental car pickup, late flights and onward driving before choosing the first night base.
Rental cars
Fes day-trip car use
Compare rental cars when airport arrival, day trips, parking, luggage, theme parks, coastal routes or nearby regions matter more than staying fully on transit.
Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
Check weather, school holidays, daylight, local festivals and major event calendars before locking in hotel rates or non-refundable tickets.
Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
Compare total cost with taxes, breakfast, parking, resort fees, transfer timing and cancellation terms before choosing the cheapest room.