Visiting Fes in January: Weather + Festivals + Things to Do
- Malika
- Dec 16, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 6
Is January a good time to visit Fes? In my opinion, winter is an ideal time to visit this ancient city and discover the charms of Morocco's cultural capital. Yes, it’s chilly (the temperatures only reach the mid-teens Celsius during the day) but the lack of crowds more than makes up for needing an extra layer....or two!
Fes el Bali (the city’s UNESCO-listed medina) is far less busy in January compared to the peak spring and autumn months. This means you can explore the labyrinthine laneways, bustling souks and historic madrasas at a more leisurely pace and the photography opportunities are comparatively crowd-free.
You'll have greater opportunity to interact with locals at the artisan souks, where you can pick up everything from Amazigh rugs to traditional ceramics and hand-crafted leather goods.
While Fes in January sees more rain than other months, the showers are usually brief and the green hillsides surrounding the city are a lovely sight. Added to that, you may benefit from lower accommodation rates and cheaper flights, making Fes in winter perfect if you’re seeking a budget-friendly experience.
In this article, discover everything you need to know about visiting Fes in January, from the weather to crowds and special events. I’ll also share with you some of the best things to do in Fes in January to help you plan a seasonally suitable itinerary.
Planning a longer Moroccan winter escape? Discover everything you need to know about travelling to Morocco in January here.
To learn more about things to see and do in the medina and beyond, check out my Essential Travel Guide to Fes.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission when you make a purchase. Affiliate links cost you nothing and ensure my content stays free!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Fes weather in January
There’s no denying it - January in Fes is not going to offer a quintessentially warm Moroccan vacation bathed in sunshine. In fact, January is the coldest month in Fes!
During this period, the temperature in Fes hovers around 16°C (61°F) while the mercury plummets to 6°C (43°F) at night. Throughout the month, you can expect roughly nine days of rain and around 65 mm of precipitation across the city.
Mist often shrouds the city in the mornings, before giving way to slightly warmer afternoons, and the sun (when it does manage to pierce through the clouds) only appears for roughly six hours each day.
What all of this means is that you need to bring warm layers (even a beanie, scarf and gloves) if you're visiting Fes in the wintertime. Drinking hot mint tea is a great way of warming up while sightseeing and there is no shortage of places where you can find it.
Top tip: Many Fes riads have open fireplaces where guests can warm up throughout the day and I always book one if I’m visiting Fes in January. Check out Riad Al Bartal, Riad Tizwa or Riad Semlalia if you’d like to do the same.
Visiting Fes in winter
Is January a busy time in Fes?
Generally speaking, January is a slower time for tourism in Fes compared to the peak summer and autumn months. The only real exception to this is the first few days of January when many visitors are still on their Christmas/New Year's break.
Thanks to the quieter atmosphere, January can be a wonderful time to explore Fes if you don’t mind the cooler temps. Not only will you encounter far fewer crowds at the city's major attractions but there will be greater opportunities to connect with locals. Generally speaking, shopkeepers and artisans will have more time to chat - it really is a great time to enjoy an authentic taste of life in Fes.
With fewer people visiting Fes in the wintertime, you may also find that prices for accommodations are lower compared to busier months. On the flip-side, some restaurants may have limited hours or close entirely during the month.
Overall, if you’re seeking a relaxed experience in this ancient city, visiting January in Fes can be a memorable off-season getaway.
Visiting Fes in January
What’s on in Fes in January
New Year - December 31/January 1
As with most cities around the world, Fes celebrates the arrival of the New Year with parties across the city, although the festivities aren’t as high energy as in places like Marrakech. Fireworks usually ignite the sky at midnight and finding a rooftop terrace to watch them is highly recommended.
Several riads offer special New Year’s Eve dinner packages, including a multi-course meal and performances by folk musicians. Then, a DJ will keep the party going until the early hours of the next morning. Riad Alassala and Riad El Amine both put on magical nights to mark the arrival of the New Year in Fes.
Proclamation of Independence - January 11
On January 11, 1944, the Istiqlal Party presented a document advocating for Morocco's independence from French colonial rule. This moment marked a pivotal chapter in the country's history, sparking a prolonged struggle that eventually led to the nation's liberation.
Each year, Moroccans come together to commemorate their hard-won freedom, with celebrations held in Fes and beyond. The streets come alive with parades and a variety of festive decorations, all reflecting a lively display of national pride.
Yennayer: Amazigh New Year - January 12 and 13
Yennayer marks the start of the agricultural year and is celebrated by the Amazigh community across Morocco. While cities such as Fes offer a range of festivities for this important cultural occasion, the most genuine Yennayer celebrations take place in the Middle and High Atlas mountains. Here, Amazigh tribes unite in lively communal gatherings and traditional Amazigh dishes are lovingly prepared for family feasts.
Is January a good time to visit Fes?
Best things to do in Fes in January
Due to the reduced crowds, January in Fes is the perfect time to wander through the medina, the largest in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you'll discover artisan workshops, aromatic food stalls, grand mosques and palaces, as well as traditional funduqs (historic caravanserais that once housed travellers).
While non-Muslims can't enter, the majestic Mosque and University of Al Quaraouiyine (one of the oldest continually operating universities in the world) is still a sight to behold from the outside.
For a bird's-eye view of the medina, head up to the Merenid Tombs, a 14th-century necropolis perched on a hill above the city. Please note that the Merenid Tombs were closed for restoration works at the time of writing - check they have reopened before venturing up there. Alternatively, you can soak up the panoramas from the 16th-century fort of Borj Nord, with the light during winter much softer for photography.
Fes is also home to some fantastic museums, including some of my favourites in Morocco. I'd highly recommend visiting the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts and Dar Batha, a recently restored palace with an impressive collection of Islamic art.
To delve deeper into Morocco's culinary heritage, I’d highly recommend taking a cooking class and learning to prepare traditional dishes like tagines and couscous. Fes is considered the “culinary capital of Morocco”, with Fassi cuisine the specialty here. For inspiration, you’ll find some of the best food tours and experiences in Fes here.
The chilly weather that Fes experiences in January also makes it an ideal time to indulge in a hammam, a steam bath ritual of cleansing and purification. You can either head to a local hammam (find out what to expect here) or be pampered at a hotel hammam, most of which offer not only body scrubs but also massages as part of their treatment packages.
If you want to stay at a Fes riad with a hammam, I have some recommendations here!
For more information about things to see and do in Fes, check out my suggested one day itinerary here.
Is January a good time to visit Fes?
If the cold weather doesn’t put you off, January can be a great time to visit Fes. The presence of fewer other tourists does make sightseeing in the medina more enjoyable and for photographers, you’ll have more opportunities to capture images without strangers wandering into the frame.
Visiting Fes in winter may also mean discounted rates on flights and hotels, although this is more likely towards the end of the month once people return to work after the Christmas/New Year's break. Overall, if you don't mind some cool weather and the possibility of rain, January can be a wonderful time for an uncrowded exploration of ancient Fes.
