So, you’ve arrived in Fes. Welcome to the city where history whispers through winding alleys, leather tanneries smell like a medieval spice market exploded, and every corner seems to hold a secret just begging to be discovered. Fes is Morocco’s spiritual and cultural heartbeat, but don’t let its centuries-old charm fool you—adventure is alive and well here.
If you want more than photogenic tiles and mint tea, you’re in luck. Here are the top 10 adventure activities to enjoy in Fes, with plenty of thrills, smells, and minor instances of getting gloriously lost.
1. Get Lost in the Medina
🌀 Not really lost, just exploring.
Fes el-Bali is a labyrinth that defies logic. Narrow alleys, hidden fountains, and leather dye pits await around every corner.
💡 Hack: Wear comfortable shoes, keep your phone handy, and remember that turning left five times might actually lead you somewhere magical.
2. Explore the Tanneries Up Close
👃 Adventure for your senses.
Chouara Tanneries are centuries-old and still in full operation. The colours are vivid, the smells are unforgettable, and the terraces make great photos.
💡 Hack: Bring mint leaves or a scarf to ward off the pungent perfume. Your nose will thank you later.
3. Take a Traditional Moroccan Cooking Class
🍲 Adventure in the kitchen.
Fes is famous for its culinary traditions. Learn to make couscous, tagines, or pastilla, and then eat your masterpiece like a proud tourist.
💡 Hack: Pick a class that starts with a market tour. Buying ingredients becomes part of the adventure. Bonus: you get to haggle in Arabic and French.
4. Trek the Middle Atlas Mountains
🥾 Mountains are calling.
Just a short drive from Fes, the Middle Atlas offers forests, waterfalls, and villages where time feels slower. Hiking here is fresh, green, and occasionally muddy.
💡 Hack: Go early to beat the heat and hire a local guide for the best trails and secret viewpoints.
5. Ride a Horse or Donkey in the Countryside
🐴 Rural Fes is ready for two-legged and four-legged exploration.
Horse or donkey rides bring you through olive groves, small villages, and rolling hills. It’s scenic, slightly bumpy, and very Moroccan.
💡 Hack: Ask for instructions on mounting and dismounting. Donkeys have opinions, and they are vocal about them.
6. Visit Volubilis and Meknes on a Day Trip
🏛️ History with an adrenaline edge.
Ancient Roman ruins and imperial palaces make for a day of exploration outside the city. Think walking among columns, mosaics, and history so old it makes your phone look embarrassed.
💡 Hack: Go early to avoid heat and crowds. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable.
7. Try a Hot Air Balloon Flight Over the Countryside
🎈 Birds-eye view of Fes and the Atlas foothills.
Yes, Fes has balloons too. Sunrise flights give panoramic views of rooftops, rivers, and fields that look like a storybook.
💡 Hack: Bring a scarf and wear layers. Morning air is crisp, and altitude is a little brisk.
8. Explore the Souks Like a Treasure Hunter
🛍️ Adventure disguised as shopping.
Fes has hundreds of shops, stalls, and artisans. Textiles, pottery, lanterns, spices—you name it. The hunt is half the fun.
💡 Hack: Haggle politely. Smile constantly. And remember, you’re likely going to get lost. Again.
9. Take a Day Trip to the Cedar Forests and Monkey Parks
🐒 Wild encounters and fresh air.
The cedar forests near Fes are home to Barbary macaques. Hiking here feels like stepping into a nature documentary.
💡 Hack: Keep your distance from monkeys. They are cute, but they have no concept of personal space or phone etiquette.
10. Experience a Traditional Hammam Adventure
🧼 Steam, scrubbing, and Moroccan relaxation.
Hammams in Fes are more than spa visits. They are full-on sensory adventures. The heat, the soap, and the exfoliation can feel dramatic, but you emerge renewed.
💡 Hack: Bring flip-flops, modest swimwear, and a sense of humour. It’s hotter, wetter, and more invigorating than you expect.
✨ Final Fes Adventure Thoughts
Fes is a city that blends ancient history, vibrant culture, and small doses of chaos into an unforgettable adventure. Get lost in the medina, climb hills, ride donkeys, haggle for spices, and let the city’s centuries-old energy sweep you along.
Bring curiosity, comfortable shoes, a sense of humour, and a little stamina. Fes delivers thrills in narrow alleys, mountain trails, and hammam steam clouds. Adventure here is as much about discovering yourself as it is discovering the city.
