5 Days in Fes, The Perfect Short Trip to Morocco

This Morrocco holiday idea makes for a wonderful short trip to explore Fez, our favourite of the historical cities in Morrocco. This itinerary works well for couples and also small groups looking for a fun-filled itinerary in a shorter time and without having to move around. Delve deeply into the history, gastronomy, culture and daily life of this stunning and fascinating City, Fes.

The first and oldest capital of the Moroccan kingdom in 808 under Idriss II, Fes is the most ancient of all Morocco’s Imperial cities and the most complete medieval city in the Arab world. The first settlers were Moslem refugees who had been expelled from their homes in Andalusia by the Christian armies. After Mecca and Medina, it was considered one of the holiest cities too and dominated trade, culture and religious life from the 10th Century to the 1950s.

Although now split into two parts, the new French-built Fes el Jedid and the old Fes el Bali, this beautiful city retains all of its ancient charms with a wealth of architectural and artistic splendours. The city now offers visitors an extraordinary insight into a fascinating culture; from the intriguing leather tanneries in the heart of the souk to the lavish finery of the Royal Palace, this is a city of extremes and one that will leave an indelible print etched upon your consciousness.

ACCOMMODATION IN FES

Helena Lewis at Curious Travel is a true Morocco expert and her favourite luxury hotel in Fes is Karawan Riad. She also likes Riad Fes which is a Relais & Chateau property and has a nice pool. More mid range hotels in Fes that Helena likes include Les Jardins du Biehns or Riad Maison Bleue. We can discuss what kind of accommodation you are looking for and find the perfect fit.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN FES - FAST TRACK ENTRY

On arrival at Fes International Airport, you will be met airside and fast-tracked through the entry formalities at Customs & Immigration. You will then be met in the Arrivals Hall by one of our representatives and transferred to your accommodation.

DAY 2: HIDDEN MEDINA and SOUK TASTING EXPERIENCES

This morning you will be met at the property and taken on a “Hidden Medina” tour. which showcases the alluring charm of the famous Moroccan medina, the colourful streets and souks and the rich tapestry of life that exists within its ancient walls. You will gain access to ancient palaces and Islamic gardens, venture into the depths of the tanneries, observe weavers at their looms and discover hidden workshops where generations of artisans ply their individual trades and adapt century-old techniques to a modern market.

In the early evening, after some time back at your riad to relax and freshen up you are taken privately guided Souk Tasting Trail of Fes

Experience the energy and essence of the Fez street food scene as it comes to life in the early evening. Our tasting trail by night reveals the captivating appeal of the medina as the sun goes down and the locals enjoy the specialities that only the evening offers. Your walk will take you from Bab Boujloud, winding your way through the alleys and souks with a Fez food expert.

You visit three different food souks allowing the chance to try traditional Moroccan street food including dried meats, milawi, harsha, briwats, spicy sardines, spicy potato cakes, soups, olives and more. At the honey souk where you’ll be able to taste an array of delicious wild honey, discuss their flavours and health-giving properties and find out why honey is so important in Moroccan cooking and Islamic culture.

Discover the world of spices and their uses and the secrets of the male-oriented domain of the tea den under the guidance of a culinary leader and storyteller.

DAY 3: POTTERY WORKSHOP & HIKE MOUNT ZALAGH

Roll up your sleeves, put on an apron and get started making your own Moroccan Pottery and Ceramic item. First of all, our craftsman and teacher will introduce you to the tools and materials you will use, describe the workshop, as well as explain the history of pottery in Morrocco.

During the pottery workshop, you will have the opportunity to go to the practical side, under the supervision of the professional and experienced artisan, who will guide and assist you in the working techniques and the materials used, throughout all the stages of making your own Moroccan Pottery and Ceramic.

Novices, Experts or just curious, no prerequisites are needed to take part in this. All the necessary equipment will be provided and you will take with you the finished products.

Not far from the Palais Amani, the Zalagh hillside range sits majestically above Fes's sprawling medina. In Berber, Zalagh means, “male kid goat”, and a hike along the backbone of this massive beast of a hillside gives you a taste of the Berber way of life.

We take the road that winds steeply up from the medina and plunge into the Berber countryside full of ancient olive groves, hidden from the city on the other side of the mountain. Your driver will then turn off onto a dirt track where you can take in the landscape dotted with farmsteads, livestock, and crops. Enjoy the scenery of the Rif mountains stretching out as far as the eye can see. The 1.5-hour hike is at a pace easy enough for even inexperienced hikers to enjoy the walk to Zalagh's summit and onwards to the peak of the range. Here we will have a picnic lunch before transferring back to Fes.

DAY 4: VISIT VOLUBILIS - ROMAN CAPITAL OF MOROCCO

Today we visit Volubilis, the Roman capital of Morocco built over two thousand years ago when this part of the country was a Roman province.

Visible from miles around, the ancient site of Volubilis is one of the most fascinating in northern Morocco with its history steeped in Roman legend. This town was the remotest of all the Roman Empire’s bases and it was here that the great Roman roads stopped having spread across mainland Europe.

The earliest artefacts, tablets inscribed in Punic, date back to the 3rd Century BC and are proof of a Carthaginian trading presence, although the majority of the intriguing ruins and mosaics date to the 2nd and 3rd Centuries AD.

After visiting the ruins we head to Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco’s most venerated Muslim sites. It is said that for Moroccans who can’t afford the trip to Mecca, then to travel five times in one’s life to Moulay Idriss is of equal merit. We enjoy lunch at the incredible Scorpion House restaurant.

DAY 5: FREE TIME AND TRANSFER HOME

Today we will transfer you to the airport for your flight home or we can help you extend your stay to visit other areas of Morocco.

If you like this example itinerary please get in touch for more information and to discuss your own tailor-made holiday to Morocco or anywhere else in the world.