WHERE TO STAY IN FEZ + TIPS FOR PICKING ACCOMMODATION.
Fez is one of the most fascinating cities in Morocco, but also one of the most overwhelming. With its vast, labyrinth of a medina, choosing where to stay can make a huge difference to how relaxing your trip us.
Unlike cities like Marrakech, where accommodation is spread fairly evenly across multiple neighbourhoods, in Fez your choice is much more binary.
You will either stay inside the medina or outside of it. Each option offers a totally different experience, so it is worth putting a bit of thought into before you book.
In this guide, we will break down the best areas to stay in Fez, recommend specific hotels and riads for different budgets, and share our top tips for picking the right accommodation.
Fez top picks 😍
Short on time? Some of our top recommendations for Fez are:
First time to Fez – stay in Fez-El-Bali at Riad Toyour or Riad Sidrat Fes
Modern amenities – stay in Ville Nouvelle at Hotel Sahrai or outside the medina at Hôtel Riad la clé de Fes.
What kind of accommodation is available in Fez?
Fez is best known for its beautiful riads, traditional Moroccan houses built around an internal courtyard. These range from simple budget options, often run by one host. To more upmarket hotel style riads, some with restaurants.
You will also find budget hostels (mainly inside the medina) and large international hotels (in Ville Nouvelle.)
Most first-time visitors choose to stay in a riad at least once, as it is a huge part of the Fez experience. Just be aware that many riads are tucked deep inside the medina, and finding them for the first time can be somewhat of an adventure.
We’ve given some very specific tips for choosing your accommodation location in Fez below.
Best areas to stay in Fez
Unlike Marrakech, which has a lot more nuance, in Fez, there are really only a couple of choices when it comes to where to stay.
First and foremost, you have to decide between staying in the medina (old town), which is called Fes-el-Bali, or staying in the newer hotels outside.
When it comes to staying outside of the medina, you can decide whether you stay just outside of the gates, or go full hog and pick a hotel in the newer area of town (Ville Nouvelle.)
You can find a guide to each area below, including suggestions for hotels.
Tip: it’s important to note that Fes-El-Bali is quite hilly – it’s not the easiest place to get around, not least because it’s absolutely bonkers. But the hills are an extra challenge. Keep this in mind if you visit or stay in the old town – and bring some sensible shoes!
Where to stay in Fez for the first time?
A quick note. If this is your first time in Fez, and you are only staying for a couple of days, I would strongly recommend that you stay in Fes-el-Bali (the old town), or very close by.
As you can see on the map below, the vast majority of attractions for first time tourists are in this area.
If you’d like to read more about the best things to do in Fez, you can find our city guide here.
1/ Fez-El-Bali (west)
BEST FOR: FIRST TIME VISITORS & FOODIES
We chose to stay to the west of Fez-El-Bali for three reasons and this is why we would recommend it.
Firstly, there are loads of great restaurants for the evening. Secondly, it’s easy to get in and out of the medina to the west – ideal for taxi pick ups and just ease of movement.
Finally, we wanted to avoid the area to the east, towards the tanneries as this area doesn’t have the best reputation.
2/ Fez-El-Bali (Bab Boujloud)
BEST FOR: DAY TRIPS AND TRANSPORT
Bab Boujloud (the blue gate) is the main gate to the medina. This area is probably the best option if you want to use Fez as a base for multiple trips, or just want ease of transport. Most tour guides will arrange to meet at the blue gate.
Additionally, you’re well placed for the main tourist attractions and well located for a bunch of great restaurants for the evening. And from a safety perspective, it’s one of the busiest and most open areas of the medina.
BUDGET: Downtown Hostel
MID-RANGE: Riad Jaouhara
3/ Fez-El-Bali (Place Seffarine)
BEST FOR: BUDGET TRAVELLERS AND FULL IMMERSION
I’ll be honest and say that this area of Fez-El-Bali around Place Seffarine can feel a little intense. It’s quite deep in the heart of the maze like medina. That said, if you want to feel fully immersed, this is a good area to pick.
It’s also a great area for budget travellers, with a few hostels on offer. And, close to the Achabine area of the medina, which has lots of very inexpensive eateries.
BUDGET: Moroccan Dream Hostel
MID-RANGE: Dar 7 Louyat
SPLURGE: Riad Hanael Garden & Spa or Dar Bensouda
4/ Just outside the medina gates
BEST FOR: AN EASY MIDDLE-GROUND
Staying inside the medina is not for everyone – it can feel a little claustrophobic. A popular choice is to stay just outside the gates, allowing ease of access to restaurants and attractions, but with a little more space.
5/ Ville Nouvelle (New Town)
BEST FOR: FANCY HOTELS & MODERN AMENITIES
Ville Nouvelle is the newest area of Fez, far away from the medina. Here you’ll find wider pavements, boulevards and orange trees.
There’s not a huge amount for tourists to do here during the day, but if you’re looking for a large hotel with amenities, like swimming pools, this is your best pick. And you can easily get a taxi to the medina to go exploring.
Most hotels in this area have licensed bars and restaurants, so evenings are less about exploring and more about relaxing.
Picking your accommodation in Fez (our tips)
Where you stay in Fez matters more than in most Moroccan cities.
If you do stay in the medina, location is key. Try to book somewhere close to restaurants or cafes you plan to visit in the evenings, so you don’t have to walk far after dark. Coming back late through quiet, unlit alleyways can feel uncomfortable, even if nothing actually happens.
When booking, pay attention to the exact street location. Check reviews for comments about accessibility and safety, and look at how close the nearest car-accessible road is. This makes arrivals, taxis and day trips much easier.
It’s also worth checking which floor your room is on. Ground-floor rooms in riads often open directly onto the courtyard, which can be noisy and lack privacy.
Finally, we always recommend messaging the riad before booking. A quick question and their response will give you a good sense of how helpful and organised they are – and in Fez, that can make a big difference to your overall experience.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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Reading material for your trip
Here are a few great books for your Morocco adventures:
CLASSIC TRAVEL GUIDE:Lonely Planet – Morocco
ESCAPASIM: Night Train to Marrakech by
Dinah Jefferies
SET IN MOROCCO: Secret Son by Laila Lalami
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