If you’re heading to Morocco and wondering is Marrakech or Fes better, we’re here to help you decide. Having visited both cities several times over the last 15 years, we’ve formed a lot of opinions on the subject and want to share our thoughts with you. Of course, it’s not a simple question – it really depends on what you want to experience – but hopefully this post will point you in the right direction.
So, without waffling on any further, here’s what you should consider when choosing between Marrakech or Fes:
Table of Contents
1. Accommodation – is it better in Marrakech or Fes?
You can enjoy that quintessential Moroccan riad experience in either Fes or Marrakech, and honestly, you’ll be happy with either. But let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer in each city.
Marrakech
Most first-time visitors to Morocco start off with Marrakech, partly because there’s just so much choice when it comes to accommodation. This is a city that really has it all, from traditional riads deep in the medina (Old Town) and elegant hotels in the New Town to upscale resorts and private villas in the Palmeraie.
Riads in Marrakech range from budget-friendly to super lavish, so there’s something for everyone here. The medina is sprawling, so it can be hard to find your riad if you’ve chosen one hidden away down the alleyways, but you’ll soon remember the way once you’ve walked it a couple of times.
One thing we will say is that finding a riad in Marrakech can be quite overwhelming – there are over 1,000 to choose from. In that respect, Fes is a simpler prospect as there are fewer properties to consider.
On the other hand, if you want to relax in a resort with a pool and restaurants on site, then Marrakech is better than Fes. There are several properties in the Palmeraie outside the old town, and it’s just a short shuttle ride into the medina for sightseeing.
Fes
In the battle of Fes vs Marrakech, the latter often wins, because it’s much more of a tourist city. However, this is part of the charm of Fes – we think it feels more authentic than Marrakech as it hasn’t been touched by tourism on the same scale.
There’s less choice of accommodation in Fes, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There are several gorgeous, historic riads in the old town, and we find the interior décor here tends to be less garish than the opulence of riads in Marrakech. The buildings in Fes also feel delightfully old, with walls covered in mosaic zellige tiles and carved woodwork.
Fes does have some more modern hotels and resorts, but again, there’s less choice here than in Marrakech. I’d say if you’re going to either Marrakech or Fes for a resort style holiday, Marrakech will be better in terms of facilities, choice and scope for activities.
WINNER: Marrakech
There’s more choice of accommodation in Marrakech, and it’s a great place for first-timers to enjoy that traditional 1001 nights riad experience. Having said that, we do think that Fes has a more authentic vibe, and a night in a historic guest house in the old town can sometimes feel a bit more ‘real’ than you’ll find in Marrakech.
2. Activities and Things to Do
There’s plenty to keep you entertained for a few days in both Marrakech and Fes, but we think that one city does have a bit more to offer when it comes to the variety of activities available.
Marrakech
When it comes to activities and things to do for tourists, we do think that Marrakech is better than Fes. The city is more geared up for tourism, so there’s a lot of choice on that front. You can do everything from rustling up a tagine at a cooking class and indulging in a hammam to bartering in the souks and even going on a hot air balloon ride.
The Djemaa el-Fna (main square) is the focal point of the medina, with lots going on, especially during the evening when the night market sets up. Come here to watch the acrobats, eat street food with the locals, and listen to musicians trying to outdo each other. There are also lots of palaces, museums and historical houses to explore, more than you’ll ever be able to cover in just one visit to Marrakech. We suggest focusing on the Bahia Palace, Musee des Confluences, Medersa Ben Youseff and the Maison de la Photographie if you’re short on time.
There are gardens too, our favourite being the Jardin Secret hidden away in the medina. On the edge of the New Town, Jardin Majorelle is also a must, with its vivid blue and yellow painted walls and exotic gardens.
There’s just so much to do in Marrakech, and despite travelling to the city more than 15 times, we still haven’t seen everything!
Fes
Whilst Fes can’t really compete with Marrakech when it comes to the sheer number of activities and experiences on offer to visitors, it makes up for this in quality. Tours and workshops here feel really intimate and personal, and one of our favourite experiences in Morocco was a private walking tour of the old town, where we felt like we were wandering around with a local friend, seeing things we wouldn’t have normally seen, rather than being on a paid excursion. We’ve never really felt like that in Marrakech.
Other must-sees include the Tanneries (much more visually impressive than the ones in Marrakech), the Royal Palace (you can’t go inside, but those gold doors are something else!), and the souks. For traditional Moroccan architecture, the former religious school of Bou Inania Madrasa is pretty spectacular, and whilst non-Muslims can’t enter, the Kairaouine Mosque can be enjoyed from the outside – it’s Africa’s oldest university.
You can see most of the key tourist attractions in Fes in a day or two, unlike Marrakech, where even a week isn’t really long enough.
WINNER: Marrakech
There’s plenty to do in both cities, but for a wider variety of experiences, we think Marrakech is the better choice.
3. Cost – Is Fes cheaper than Marrakech?
You can enjoy a lavish getaway or a budget break in both cities, but on the whole, Fes is cheaper.
Marrakech
Whilst you certainly can bag a room in a budget guest house in Marrakech, the city is generally considered to be more expensive than Fes when it comes to accommodation. That’s because it’s so popular with the tourists, so prices have risen accordingly over the years. Riads and hotels near to the Djemaa el-Fna (main square) tend to be more expensive, but honestly, we prefer the riads deeper in the medina, as they’re quieter and feel more exclusive.
Activities can be a bit more expensive in Marrakech too, whether it’s a cooking class, a camel ride in the Palmeraie, a luxury hammam experience, or a walking tour of the old town. That’s because the demand is there, and people will pay. It’s often cheaper to arrange activities through your riad, so do consider this when arranging your stay.
Fes
Fes tends to be cheaper than Marrakech, and can be a great place for budget-conscious travellers to explore. Hotels and riads cost less on the whole (although you can spend a fortune on some of the really luxurious properties!), and we always feel that eating out in Fes isn’t as expensive as in Marrakech (not that either is really that costly compared to the UK!).
In a nutshell, we think that you get more value for your money in Fes, so this is the city to choose if you want to stretch your dirhams a little further.
WINNER: Fes
Overall, Fes is a cheaper city to visit, because Marrakech’s popularity goes hand in hand with higher prices.
4. Travel – how good is access to the cities?
Both Marrakech and Fes are well served by public transport, but there’s definitely a clear winner when it comes to easy access from abroad.
Marrakech
Marrakech is very well connected to the outside world, which is great news for international travellers. The airport is a short drive from the city, and is often the main entry point for visitors from around the globe.
Once you’re in the city, the medina is very walkable, and for trips across town, taxis are easy to find. Note that if you’re staying in some parts of the medina, taxis won’t be able to drive all the way to your riad door. There’s a decent train service connecting Marrakech to places like Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier. You can even get the train from Marrakech to Fes too if you like!
Fes
Although Fes does have an airport, it receives fewer direct international flights than Marrakech. Once you’re there though, it’s easy to get around with the local taxis, and trains are available for onward travel to Casablanca, Tangier, and Marrakech.
One thing we did find was that the narrow medina alleyways were even narrower and steeper than those in Marrakech, making much of the old town inaccessible to vehicles. So be prepared for a potentially hot, steep walk to the door of your accommodation.
WINNER: Marrakech
Marrakech is definitely better connected for international travellers than Fes, as well as for domestic transfers. But don’t discount Fes – a little extra effort on the travel front can be hugely rewarding.
5. Onward explorations – travel beyond Marrakech and Fes
Both Marrakech and Fes make great hubs for onward travel, whether you’re heading to the mountains, desert or coast. When pondering the Marrakech vs Fes question, it’s important to decide what other places you’d like to visit during your trip.
Mountains
From Marrakech
Marrakech is the perfect gateway to the High Atlas Mountains, with lots of potential for day trips as well as longer stays close at hand. The most popular is the valley of Imlil which is the jumping-off point for Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in northern Africa. You don’t have to scale the lofty mountain to enjoy a visit to Imlil – there are several hiking trails to explore, and some great places to have lunch with a view. It takes 1.5 hours to drive from Marrakech to Imlil.
It’s a similar distance to the beautiful Ourika valley, where you’ll be surrounded by mountains. There’s a reservoir here too, and plenty of homely places to stay overnight if you plan on doing some walking and exploring.
From Fes
Fes isn’t quite so well placed for mountain day trips, but the cedar forests and peaks of the Middle Atlas Mountains aren’t too far away. One of the most popular day trip destinations from Fes is the alpine town of Ifrane, known for its Swiss-style architecture and winter skiing. More intrepid adventurers can enjoy hikes and waterfalls in the Tazekka National Park. Both are about 1.5 hours away from the city.
You can also visit the blue city of Chefchaoeun from Fes, which is spectacularly situated in the Rif Mountains.
Best for access to the mountains: Marrakech
Desert
From Marrakech
If you’re staying in Marrakech, you can include either Erg Chigaga or Erg Chebbi on your itinerary. It’s a 9-hour drive from Marrakech to Erg Chigaga, and around 10 hours to get to Erg Chebbi. You can do either, but we suggest sticking with Erg Chigaga near Zagora which is slightly closer and passes through truly spectacular landscapes – you can break up the journey by stopping in the Ouarzazate region overnight.
From Fes
From Fes, the dunes at Erg Chebbi near the desert town of Merzouga are closest with an 8-hour drive between the two. It’s an hour or two longer to get from Fes to Erg Chigaga near Zagora, so I recommend sticking with Erg Chebbi for your desert adventures if you’re travelling from Fes. The dunes are much bigger there anyway!
Best for access to the desert: Fes
Coast
From Marrakech
There are several beach towns that are each just a 3-hour drive from Marrakech so if you want to see the coast on your visit to Morocco, Marrakech is your best bet. It’s easier to visit the coast from Marrakech than Fes, and to be honest we think it’s better over this side of country anyway!
It takes around 3 hours to get to Essaouira, which is a popular seaside spot with a charming fishing harbour, old town and expansive beach. Some people go there on a day trip from Marrakech, but it deserves longer, so go for a night or two if you have time.
The drive from Marrakech to Agadir is also about 3 hours. Located further south down the coast, Agadir is the place to go if you’re looking for more of a resort vibe. Just north of Agadir is Taghazout, a popular fishing village known for its surfing and sandy beaches.
For something quieter, head north to the seaside village of Oualidia, famous for its flamingos and oysters. Again, this journey takes around 3 hours. The peaceful lagoons and upscale lodging make this a serene getaway from Marrakech.
From Fes
If you want to combine Fes with a visit to the beach, your best bet is to head north to Al Hoceima, up on the Mediterranean coast. Here, you’ll find several beaches and coves, many with lovely views of the Rif Mountains. You can get there by bus or private transfer, with the journey taking just over 4 hours.
Meanwhile, the beach town of Asilah is just south of Tangier on the Atlantic coast, with the pretty white and blue houses giving it a relaxed, seaside feel. You’ll need to catch a train into Tangier, and then hop on a local train down the coast to Asilah, so allow around 6 hours for your travel time.
Best for access to the coast: Marrakech
Should you go to Fes or Marrakech if you only have time to see one?
We’re often asked, if you could only choose one, is it better to visit Fes or Marrakech? Obviously, we highly recommend both, and they offer very different experiences. But if you have to choose between the two, I recommend the following:
- Go to Marrakech: if it’s your first visit to Morocco and you want that quintessential Moroccan experience. Marrakech is well set up for tourism, has heaps of activities and restaurants to discover, and some gorgeous riads. Marrakech is also easier to get to from overseas than Fes. I’d also recommend Marrakech over Fes if you want to include either the Atlas Mountains or the Atlantic Coast on your itinerary, as they’re closer.
- Go to Fes: if you’re a return visitor to Morocco looking for something that feels a little more authentic and less changed by tourism. Fes is also great if you want to escape the crowds and can’t face the frenzy of the souks in Marrakech (they’re much calmer in Fes). Fes works well for city breaks too, with Meknes and Chefchaouen not too far away.
So, is Fes or Marrakech better?
Honestly, it really depends on what you want to experience, but you’re not here for some sitting-on-the-fence answer, so here’s our verdict on the great Marrakech vs Fes debate.
Overall, I’d say Marrakech is best, because it’s easier to get to, has all the facilities and activities you could wish for, and caters very well to tourists. Despite its popularity, Marrakech is still very culturally immersive, and whilst the busy medina streets and haggling in the souks can feel overwhelming at first, you soon learn to just go with the flow, embrace it, and enjoy it.
Fes is great too, it just has a little less of that tourist polish, which may be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. Personally, we love Fes as it’s a bit more relaxed and traditional, you’re not constantly harassed on the streets for fake henna tattoos, and the hotels here have an old-world charm in a category above the riads in Marrakech. It just seems like there’s more to do in Marrakech, and onward travel to the mountains and coast is easier from there too.
Really, you can’t go wrong with either, but if you have to pick just one, Marrakech would be our choice.
WINNER: MARRAKECH!
