Fes

Getting In and Around

Visas: No additional visa is needed if you are traveling to Fès from within Morocco. If you are traveling from outside the country, please see [LINK] www.africa.com/morocco for visa information.

Transportation: We find that the most convenient way to get to Fès is by train. Seeing as trains connect all of the major cities in Morocco, it is the fastest and most comfortable way to get to the city. If trains are not your style, there are also buses that travel among the cities. Check with your hotel staff for a recommendation on the best bus company to travel with to Fès. There is also a small airport outside of Fès that hosts domestic flights.

While walking around Fès is definitely the best way to see the city, you can also rely on a petit-taxi, which are small red Fiats that run on meters. Make sure the meter in the vehicle is functional before you go for a ride.

The city also has a sufficient bus system. We recommend always asking your hotel staff for directions if you are at all unsure about which bus to take.

Keep in mind that Old Fès is vehicle-free, so you will need to rely on your two feet to get around while exploring that side of town.

Mobile Phones: If your mobile phone uses the GSM 900 system (standard with European mobiles; most American and Canadian phones run on the 850/1900 system), then you will be able to use it in Morocco. However, we recommend buying or taking along a cheap SIM card-–enabled phone and buying a local SIM card. They are cheap, and they spare you the worry that you may lose your regular phone during the trip.

Safety and Security

The U.S. Department of State’s consular website has a great deal of information about safety and security in Morocco. It can’t be repeated often enough: be sensible when you travel. Be alert and aware about your surroundings.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has created a security ratings system called the Ibrahim Index, wherein scores are based on each country’s quality of government. Before traveling to Morocco or anywhere on the continent, check the index and do your research.

The Top 5: Local Advice

1. Fès is the third largest city in Morocco and is located in the Fès-Boulemane region.

2. The weather in Fès fluctuates throughout the year. On average, the hottest month is August, with temperatures hitting the low 90s Fahrenheit and the coldest month is January, with temperatures hitting the high 30s to mid 50s. The wettest month is February, with an average of nearly four inches of rain, and the driest month is August.

3. All of the major national newspapers are available in Fès. A few notable publications are Al-Anbaa, Le Matin, Al-Massae, Assabah, L’Economiste, and Telquel.

4. The most commonly spoken language in Fès is Moroccan Arabic. French and Spanish (to a lesser extent) are spoken as well.

5. Smoking is prohibited in public places but there are designated locations where smoking is allowed.

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