Fes Travel Tips: Money, What to Wear, Tipping and Etiquette

A first trip to Fes is easy to prepare as long as you know a few practical realities: you cannot buy the currency before you leave, cards are not accepted everywhere, clothing matters a little more than elsewhere, and the medina has its own customs. Here is the advice we give our guests before they arrive. For choosing accommodation, see our guide on where to stay in Fes.

Entry requirements

Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Switzerland do not need a visa for a tourist stay of under three months. A passport valid for the whole stay is required; six months’ validity beyond your return is recommended to be safe. As rules can change, check with your government before travelling, and take out travel insurance that covers medical costs.

Money: dirhams, ATMs and cards

The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency that cannot be bought outside Morocco. You get it on arrival, by withdrawing from ATMs or exchanging euros or US dollars at exchange offices. As a rough guide, a euro is worth a little over ten dirhams and a US dollar a little under; check the current rate.

• ATMs are plentiful at the airport, in the new town and near the medina gates (Rcif, Bab Bou Jeloud, Batha).
• In the medina, cash is king: small stalls, taxis, porters and cafés.
• Cards are accepted in hotels, some restaurants and larger shops, but not everywhere; many riads ask for payment in cash or by bank transfer.
• Always keep some small change for tips and little purchases.

We explain how riads usually take payment in book your riad direct. To estimate your spending, see how much a trip to Fes costs.

Tipping in Morocco

Tipping is customary. In restaurants, leave around 10% if service is not included. For a porter, a driver or a one-off favour, a few tens of dirhams depending on the service. For a licensed guide, a tip at the end of the tour is appreciated if you are happy. At the hammam, thank the attendant who gave you your scrub.

What to wear in Fes

Fes is a traditional, religious city. There is no dress code imposed on visitors, but clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is appreciated and attracts less attention, for women and men alike. A few tips:

• closed, comfortable shoes with grippy soles: medina paving is slippery and uneven;
• a light scarf, useful against sun, dust or the smell of the tanneries;
• layers: even in spring, evenings on the terrace are cool;
• in winter, a proper sweater and a warm jacket for the evenings.

Languages

People in Fes speak Darija, Moroccan Arabic, as well as Standard Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). French is very widely understood, and English increasingly so, especially among young people and in tourism. A few words always go down well: salam alaikum (hello), shukran (thank you), la, shukran (no thank you), bslama (goodbye), and balak!, which you will hear often: “watch out, coming through!”.

Phone, internet and maps

Buy a local SIM card or an eSIM at the airport or in town: data packages are cheap and coverage is good. Riads usually have Wi-Fi. Download an offline map, but be aware that GPS is unreliable in the narrow lanes of the medina: our Fes medina guide explains other ways to find your bearings.

Electricity

The supply is 220 V, with European-style sockets (types C and E). Travellers from North America and the UK will need a plug adapter; check that your devices accept 220 V.

Photos, mosques and religious etiquette

• Always ask before photographing someone; some craftsmen ask for a small coin, others prefer not to be photographed.
• Active mosques and shrines are open to Muslims only. However, several historic religious buildings, such as the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, can be visited; see the madrasas and monuments of Fes.
• On Fridays many stalls close, at least around the main midday prayer.
• During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking conspicuously in the street during the day.

Water, health and alcohol

Drink bottled water, which is easy to find everywhere. The public fountains in the lanes are often beautiful, but their water is not meant for visitors. Alcohol is scarce in the medina; you will find it in some licensed restaurants and hotels.

Bargaining in the souks

In the souks, haggling is part of the exchange, and it is done with a smile. All our advice for buying without stress, and knowing what to bring home, is in shopping in the Fes souks.

Further reading

Before you leave, read how to get to Fes and our guide to getting from the airport to the medina, then the best time to visit Fes for the season and is Fes safe? for safety questions. For food, our article on what to eat in Fes will whet your appetite.

At La Petite Maison

When you arrive, we sketch you a map in a notebook, with the nearest ATM, easy routes and our favourite addresses, and we stay reachable on WhatsApp throughout your stay to answer your questions. Browse our rooms and write to us to plan your trip.