🇲🇦 Marrakech
🇲🇦 FezMarrakech vs Fez: Which Should You Visit?
Morocco's two great imperial cities. Marrakech is the more visitor-friendly, with its famous square, gardens, palaces and riads, and the Atlas Mountains nearby. Fez is more traditional and less touristy, with a vast medieval medina that is still a working city of crafts.
Both are best in spring and autumn. Summer is very hot, especially in Marrakech.
Choose Marrakech if…
- It is your first visit to Morocco
- You want gardens, palaces and day trips to the mountains
- You want a wide choice of riads
Choose Fez if…
- You want a more traditional medina
- You are interested in crafts and religious architecture
- You prefer fewer tourists
At a glance
| Marrakech | Fez | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | 🇲🇦 Morocco | 🇲🇦 Morocco |
| Population | 930,000 | 1,150,000 |
| Climate | Hot semi-arid | Mediterranean |
| Best time to visit | March–May, September–November | March–May, September–November |
| Budget | €€ Moderate | €€ Moderate |
| Safety (our rating) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Known for | Jemaa el-Fnaa, Souks & medina, Riads | Medieval medina, Tanneries, Oldest university |
📅 Best months for both:March, April, May, September, October, November
Where to go in Marrakech
A red-walled city of souks, riads and palaces, with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon.
- Jemaa el-Fnaa. The main square, which turns into an open-air food market at dusk.
- The souks. Lanes of crafts north of the square. Agree prices before buying.
- Bahia Palace. A 19th-century palace of tiles, gardens and carved ceilings.
- Jardin Majorelle. The blue garden, with the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door.
- The Atlas Mountains. Berber villages and walks on a day trip.
🛏️ Where to stay
- A riad in the Medina: Traditional houses around a courtyard, in the old city.
- Gueliz: The modern district: calmer, with cafés and shops.
🍽️ What to eat
Tagines, couscous, mint tea and the evening food stalls in Jemaa el-Fnaa.
Where to go in Fez
Morocco's spiritual and craft capital, with one of the largest car-free medieval medinas in the world.
- Fez el-Bali. The walled medina, a UNESCO site of thousands of lanes. A licensed guide helps.
- Chouara Tannery. The leather dyeing pits, seen from the terraces of surrounding shops.
- Bou Inania Medersa. A beautifully decorated 14th-century religious school.
- Bab Bou Jeloud. The famous blue gate into the medina.
- The Merenid Tombs. A hilltop view over the whole medina at sunset.
🛏️ Where to stay
- A riad in the Medina: Near Bab Bou Jeloud for easier access.
- Ville Nouvelle: The modern town, with larger hotels.
🍽️ What to eat
Pastilla, b'ssara bean soup and Fassi pastries.
Can you visit both?
Trains run between the two cities, and flights are much quicker. Many travellers include the Sahara or Chefchaouen on the way.
Journey times are approximate and vary by service. Check the operator before you book. Work out flying times with the flight calculator.
How we compare cities
The table uses the same data as our city guides: our budget and safety ratings, the climate and the months we recommend. The advice on what to see, where to stay and which city to choose is written by our editors. Prices, opening arrangements and timetables change, so check official sources for anything important. To compare any two cities of your choice side by side, use City vs City.