Here's the real answer: if it's your first time in Morocco and you only have 4 or 5 days, go to Marrakech. If you've been before, or you care more about history than about the photo, go to Fez. With 8 days or more, do both, starting in Marrakech and ending in the quieter, older medina of Fez.
Key facts
- First visit, 4 to 5 days: Marrakech, for the hotels, the nightlife and easy international flights.
- Return visit or history lover: Fez. Fez el-Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and often called the largest car-free urban area in the world.
- 8 days or more: both cities.
- Caviar trip:The Morocco Experience includes Marrakech and Fez, with the Sahara in between.
The Tale of the Tape
| Category | Marrakech | Fez |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury hotel choice | Very wide | Smaller, mostly riads |
| Tourist crowds | Very high | Moderate |
| Feel | Glamorous, lively | Quiet, scholarly, old |
| Best for | First-timers, groups | Culture lovers, repeat visitors |
The Case for Marrakech
Photo: Andy Kennedy / Unsplash
Beautiful hotels. Great nightlife. Easy international flights. Jemaa el-Fnaa is unlike anywhere else on Earth. The trade-off is the crowds, which can make the medina feel busy and a little staged. My Morocco luxury travel guide lists the hotels I'd book.
The Case for Fez
Photo: Parker Hilton / Unsplash
Fez el-Bali, the old medina, is often called the largest car-free urban area in the world, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll see far fewer tourists, the artisan shopping is wonderful, and plenty of Moroccans will tell you the food here is the best in the country.
The Verdict by Traveler Type
Photo: Val Vesa / Unsplash
- First time in Morocco: Marrakech
- Return visitor: Fez
- Culture and history: Fez
- Group trips: Marrakech
Our signature Morocco Experience includes both cities. For the color and feeling of the place, read how Morocco changed my palette.
Book a free consultation and we'll help you choose.
Comparison
Comparison
Comparison