Fes vs Marrakech: Which Should You Visit First?

There's no strictly correct order to visit Fes and Marrakech, but the choice does shape your route, your first impression of Morocco, and how the desert leg of your trip fits in.

Does the order change what you see?

Not fundamentally — you'll see the same sights in either city regardless of order — but it does change the emotional arc of the trip. Starting in Fes means beginning with a denser, more historically intense medina before easing into Marrakech's livelier, more tourist-accommodating pace. Starting in Marrakech does the reverse: an easier introduction to Morocco followed by the deeper, more demanding atmosphere of Fes el-Bali. Neither is wrong, and both are common; it mostly comes down to whether you'd rather build up to intensity or wind down from it.

Which city is easier to fly into?

Both Fes and Marrakech have international airports with regular connections, though Marrakech tends to have more direct flight options from a wider range of international cities, particularly from Europe. Fes's airport is smaller with somewhat fewer direct routes, which sometimes means a connection through Casablanca or another hub. Practically, this means your actual flight availability and cost from your home city may end up deciding the order for you more than any preference about the cities themselves — it's worth checking both options before settling on a route.

Does starting in Fes change the desert route?

Yes, meaningfully. A route starting in Fes typically heads toward Merzouga via the Middle Atlas and Ziz Valley, then continues on to Marrakech through the High Atlas and Ait Ben Haddou — this is the classic one-way Fes-to-Marrakech desert route many of our itineraries follow. Starting in Marrakech runs the same route in reverse. The scenery differs slightly depending on direction and time of day you pass through certain stretches, but the overall route and stops are largely the same either way — it's more a question of where your trip begins and ends than what it includes.

So which should you choose first?

If you want an easier adjustment to Morocco before tackling a bigger, more disorienting medina, start in Marrakech and end in Fes. If you'd rather get the more intense experience out of the way early and finish on an easier, more relaxed note, start in Fes. Flight logistics and cost from your home city are often the more practical deciding factor in the end, and either order works well within a one-way itinerary connecting the two cities through the desert, which is how most of our multi-day routes are structured anyway.

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Related tours

Planning where to start? See tours from Fes, tours from Marrakech.

Related reading: Is Fes Worth Visiting? How It Compares to Marrakech, Should You Do a Morocco Loop or a One-Way Trip? (Marrakech vs Fes vs Tangier Starts).

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Frequently asked questions

Should I visit Fes or Marrakech first?

Either works well; it mostly comes down to whether you'd rather ease into Morocco or start with its more intense medina experience.

Does visiting Fes first change what I will see?

Not really — the sights are the same either way, though the order shapes how the trip feels emotionally.

Is it easier to fly into Fes or Marrakech?

Marrakech generally has more direct international flight options, which often ends up being the deciding factor over personal preference.

Does starting in Fes change my desert route?

The route and stops stay largely the same; starting in Fes just means running that same Fes-to-Marrakech route in the opposite direction.

Can I do a loop instead of choosing an order?

Yes, a loop returning to your starting city is also an option, though many travelers prefer a one-way route between Fes and Marrakech through the desert.

Is one city a better grand finale than the other?

Some travelers prefer ending on Marrakech's livelier energy; others prefer finishing in Fes's quieter, deeper atmosphere. Both are valid choices.