Are you torn between Morocco’s two great imperial cities: Marrakech or Fez? We’ve explored both cities, and they’ve both left a lasting impression on us. Marrakech looks out toward the desert and mountains and pulses with constant energy. Fez, home to the world’s oldest inhabited medina, focuses more on the kingdom’s intellectual and spiritual heritage. Here’s our Marrakech vs. Fez showdown, complete with our tips and photos:
- The Atmosphere and Identity of Each Medina
- Heritage, Landmarks, and Museums
- Craftsmanship and Expertise
- Location and Excursions
- Hotels and Fine Dining
Marrakech or Fez: A Comparison at a Glance
Short answer
Marrakech is an imperial city that offers a vibrant atmosphere, the desert, and the mountains: colorful souks, Jemaa El-Fna Square, which transforms as the day goes on, contemporary gardens like the Majorelle Garden, and gateways to the Agafay Desert and the Atlas Mountains.
See our selection of the best hotels in Marrakech
Or view the top-rated accommodations directly.
Fez, on the other hand, is renowned for its spiritual and intellectual heritage: its medina, Fez el-Bali, founded in the 9th century, is considered the largest pedestrian zone in the world and is home to Al-Quaraouiyine University, one of the oldest educational institutions still in operation. We sensed a more festive energy in Marrakech, while Fez struck us as more contemplative and focused on passing down traditional skills.
See our selection of the best hotels in Fez
Or view the top-rated accommodations directly.
Depending on what you’re looking for…
- For a first visit to Morocco: Marrakech
- For authenticity and intellectual heritage: Fez
- For access to the desert and the mountains: Marrakech
- For traditional crafts and trades: Fes
- For nightlife and entertainment: Marrakech
- For a quieter, less touristy getaway: Fez
- For cuisine: a tie, with a slight edge for Fez
- …
Heritage, Monuments, and Medinas
The Heritage of Marrakech
Jemaa El-Fna Square has embodied the soul of Marrakech since the 11th century: in the morning, it is home to orange juice vendors and snake charmers, while in the evening it transforms into a vast open-air dining area.
We also enjoyed the Koutoubia Mosque, a 12th-century Almohad gem whose 69-meter minaret inspired Sevilla’s Giralda, as well as the Bahia Palace and its 1,500-square-meter courtyard paved with Carrara marble. The Majorelle Garden, created by the painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and later saved from destruction by Yves Saint Laurent in 1980, is the perfect way to round out the visit with its museum dedicated to the fashion designer.
The Bahia Palace, built in the late 19th century for Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed, is a testament to the splendor of traditional Moroccan architecture. We strolled through its richly decorated rooms, admiring the painted cedar wood ceilings, walls adorned with colorful zellige tiles, and inner courtyards lined with orange trees.
Learn more in our article on the best attractions in Marrakech.
The Heritage of Fez
Fès el-Bali, founded in the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, is home to 14,000 listed buildings, 137 mosques, and 23 public hammams, all nestled within a maze of narrow streets. Al-Quaraouiyine University, founded by Fatima Al-Fihri, is considered the oldest institution of higher education still in operation in the world.
In Fez, you’ll find many fascinating buildings and museums, as well as ancient ruins offering views of the city.
We were also impressed by the Attarine and Bou Inania Madrasas, masterpieces of 14th-century Merinid architecture, as well as by the Merinid Tombs, which overlook the city and offer one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the medina.
Learn more in our article on the best attractions in Fez.
Our review
Marrakech boasts a wealth of richly decorated palaces and gardens, all set against a livelier backdrop. Fez, on the other hand, stands out for the richness and antiquity of its religious and intellectual heritage. When it comes to history and authenticity, we prefer Fez.
Handicrafts and Souks
The Souks of Marrakech
The souks of Marrakech have been organized into guilds for centuries: dyers, babouche sellers, and spice merchants. We watched artisans hammer copper and dye leather using techniques passed down from generation to generation. The art of bargaining is an integral part of the experience.
The Tanneries and Fondouks of Fez
In our opinion, the Chouara Tannery remains one of Morocco’s most remarkable centers of traditional craftsmanship. The process takes about three weeks and involves more than 250 families who have passed down this expertise from generation to generation. The colors come exclusively from natural ingredients: poppies for red, indigo for blue, and saffron or turmeric for yellow. The Nejjarine Museum, housed in a former 18th-century fondouk, rounds out this immersive experience by showcasing the arts and crafts of woodworking.
Our review
Both cities offer an immersive experience of traditional crafts, though in different ways: Marrakech for shopping and haggling, and Fez for witnessing craftsmanship that dates back nearly a millennium. Our favorite spot is the Chouara Tannery in Fez.
Hotel Options: Marrakech vs. Fez
Hotels in Marrakech
Accommodation options in Marrakech range from intimate riads in the Medina to luxury hotels in the Hivernage district. Check out our complete selection in our article on where to stay in Marrakech. It includes:
- Royal Mansour Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
A palace featuring some 50 individual riads spread across 5 hectares of gardens, as well as a 2,500-square-meter spa. - Riad Kbour & Chou – see prices, photos and availability
For a more intimate experience, with its peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the Medina - Les Jardins de la Médina Hotel— see prices, photos and availability
, housed in a 19th-century palace.
Hotels in Fez
In Fez, accommodations are mainly concentrated around restored historic mansions. Check out our complete selection in our article on where to stay in Fez. It includes:
- Riad Dar Lys Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
Nestled in the heart of the medina, featuring carved wooden ceilings and a rooftop pool. - Palais Faraj Suites & Spa Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
An authentic 19th-century palace overlooking the city, featuring a panoramic terrace - Riad Dar Laura Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
A charming hotel with personalized service just a stone’s throw from the Batha Mosque
Our review
Both cities boast a wealth of accommodations housed in traditional mansions. Marrakech offers more ultra-luxury options, while Fez focuses on providing good value for money in historic riads. There’s no clear winner: the choice depends mainly on your budget and the atmosphere you’re looking for.
Excursions around the cities
Day Trips from Marrakech
Marrakech, on the other hand, opens the door to completely different landscapes. We enjoyed the proximity of the Atlas Mountains, about an hour’s drive away, where the Berber villages and the Ourika Valley offer a lush getaway. The Agafay Desert, 30 km from the city, lets you experience the desert without having to travel all the way to the Sahara.
We also recommend a trip to Essaouira, a fishing port on the Atlantic coast, or to Ouarzazate and its famous village of Aït Ben Haddou.
- Essaouira: a fishing port on the Atlantic coast (a 2.5-hour drive)
- Ouarzazate and Aït Ben Haddou: movie studios and a UNESCO-listed kasbah (3.5-hour drive)
- Ourika Valley and the Atlas Mountains (about a 1-hour drive)
- Agafay Desert: Campsite and Sunset (30 km by road)
- See the best day trips from Marrakech
Excursions from Fez
Fez is better suited for cultural and spa excursions. The archaeological site of Volubilis, less than an hour’s drive away, features perfectly preserved Roman mosaics. The village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, perched on a hill, is home to the tomb of the founder of the Idrisid dynasty. Meknes, a neighboring imperial city an hour’s drive away, charms visitors with its monumental gates and its UNESCO-listed medina, which is less crowded than that of Fez. Finally, the spa village of Moulay Yacoub, just 30 minutes away, offers a wellness retreat centered around its hot sulfur springs.
- Take a guided tour of Volubilis
- Discover Meknes with a local guide
- Exploring a Historic Village: Moulay Idriss
- Check out all our ideas in our article on the best day trips from Fes.
Our review
Marrakech is the top choice for anyone dreaming of desert and mountain scenery accessible in a single day. Fez stands out for the rich history of its surroundings, from Roman ruins to nearby imperial cities. Our winner here is still Marrakech, thanks to the diversity of its accessible landscapes.
Best gastronomic offer
Cuisine in Marrakech
In Marrakech, we savored tagines simmered in their conical earthenware dishes, as well as flaky pastillas layered with spiced poultry and sweet almonds. Friday couscous, a family tradition, comes in “royal” versions topped with seven vegetables. The city’s rooftop spots, such as Café Clock or the terrace at the Maison de la Photographie, add an extra dimension to the meal with their views of the ochre rooftops.
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Marrakech.
Cuisine in Fez
Fez is renowned for having the most sophisticated cuisine in Morocco. There, we sampled pigeon and almond pastilla, harira soup—traditionally served at the breaking of the fast—as well as khlii, meat confit in its own fat. The Fez-Meknes region also produces fine wines; we particularly enjoyed the Syrah and Volubilia vintages. Dinners accompanied by Arab-Andalucian music—a local tradition dating back to the 11th century—add a cultural dimension to the meal.
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Fez.
Our review
Both cities offer excellent Moroccan cuisine. Fez, however, retains a slightly better reputation for fine dining, thanks in particular to the delicacy of its pastilla and its regional wines.
Access and location
The two cities are located at opposite ends of the country. Marrakech is in central Morocco, at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, while Fez is located further north, near the Middle Atlas. The drive between the two takes 5 hours and 45 minutes. Here are some useful distances to help you plan your trip:
- Marrakech to Casablanca = 3-hour drive
- Marrakech to Essaouira = 3-hour drive
- Fez to Rabat = 2.5-hour drive
- Fez to Meknes = 1-hour drive
- Fez to Casablanca = 3 hours and 15 minutes by car
- Marrakech-Menara Airport serves many direct flights from Europe, and the city center is just a 15-minute ride away.
- The smaller Fez-Saïss Airport serves destinations such as Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Madrid, and Brussels, and is about 30 minutes from the city center.
- Compare available flights.
- The train connects the two cities to Casablanca: 3 hours from Marrakech, 3 hours and 15 minutes from Fez, via the ONCF network. There is no direct train between the two cities.
- CTM and Supratours also provide bus service to both cities, offering an affordable option for those who do not rent a car.
Getting Around in Marrakech and Fes
Getting around Marrakech
The Medina of Marrakech remains largely inaccessible to cars, but you can get around by tuk-tuk. Outside the Medina, taxis are the most convenient option, especially between Guéliz and Hivernage. We recommend insisting that the meter be used or negotiating the fare before departure. Traditional horse-drawn carriages offer an alternative for sightseeing tours.
Getting around Fez
Vehicle traffic is prohibited in most of the alleys of the Fez Medina. Walking is therefore the best way to explore Fez el-Bali, supplemented by the small official red taxis or ride-hailing services to reach the new city. We recommend hiring an official local guide at least for the first day, as the maze of alleys can be quite disorienting.
Our review
Getting around presents the same challenge in both medinas: walking is a must. In Fez, however, it’s harder to find your bearings, which is why it’s a good idea to have a local guide from the very first day.
Is it possible to visit Marrakech and Fez on the same trip?
The two cities are quite far apart.
By car, the drive takes about 5 hours and 45 minutes.
By train, the route usually goes through Casablanca, which adds half a day to the trip. If your stay is longer than a week, combining the two cities is definitely an option—just plan for a domestic flight or a stopover in Casablanca or Rabat to break up the trip.
And why not other cities in Morocco?
Morocco has other imperial cities and regions that are worth visiting. In particular, you can read our articles on:
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
Top Destinations
Must-See Places in Morocco
Most Beautiful Riads
Most Beautiful Cities
Most Beautiful Medinas
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Most Beautiful Gardens
Best Museums
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Beaches
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Morocco
Driving tips
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fez
Meknes
Chefchaouen
Essaouira
Rabat
Tangier
Tetouan
Agadir
The Sahara Desert
