After several weeks of high temperatures, the narrow streets of Fez el-Bali are slowly coming back to life. In the winding lanes of the UNESCO-listed medina, groups of visitors are becoming increasingly visible. Some walk through the souks and former Quranic schools with cameras in hand, while others stop to admire monumental gates, historic fondouks and artisans’ workshops. As September approaches, the city appears to be gradually emerging from its summer lull.
On the ground, however, tourism professionals are seeing mixed levels of activity. Some of the visitors currently in the city are tourists passing through as part of wider itineraries covering several Moroccan destinations before continuing their journey. The number of visitors choosing to spend several nights in the Kingdom’s spiritual capital, meanwhile, is gradually increasing as weather conditions improve.
For Ken, a tourist from North Carolina, Fez is one of the highlights of his first trip outside the United States. Traveling with his family, he chose to explore the medina and its main historic sites. “We really enjoyed Fez’s culture, the atmosphere of the city and, above all, the warm welcome from the locals. It’s a unique experience and an important part of our trip to Morocco,” he said.
The fact that many visitors are still coming as part of longer itineraries is partly explained by the weather. “The heat makes summer particularly difficult for tourism in Fez. During this period, we receive many visitors who stay for a short time or simply stop in the city as part of a wider tour,” said Khalid El Marrakchi, a tour guide in Fez.
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According to him, the situation is gradually changing as summer draws to a close. “Tourists who come for several days generally start to become more numerous when temperatures drop. But even visitors who stay for just one day can hardly miss Fez’s heritage, its madrasas, palaces, narrow streets and historic monuments,” he added.
The same picture can be seen in restaurants across the medina. Behind their doors, restaurant operators have seen business fluctuate with tourist numbers and temperatures. The hottest hours of the day, in particular, discourage people from moving around and limit the time visitors spend outdoors.
“Summer inevitably affects our business. When it gets very hot, visitors move around less, and that has a direct impact on restaurant footfall,” said Mohssine Essâadi, who owns an establishment in the medina. “We are counting on more pleasant weather from September onward. That’s when we hope to see activity pick up more significantly,” he added.
The accommodation sector has also slowed during the hottest months. In the medina’s riads, operators say the weather directly influences travelers’ decisions, particularly when choosing between a short stop and a stay of several nights. “Bookings are affected by the high temperatures. The problem is also that evening activity remains limited in some parts of the city. Tourists are looking for a destination where they can go out, visit places and enjoy the atmosphere for much of the day,” said El Mekki, a riad manager in the medina.
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According to him, this constraint weighs on Fez’s appeal compared with other Moroccan destinations. “In Marrakech, for example, nightlife is much more developed. In Fez, some places close relatively early, which limits the options available to visitors in the evening,” he explained.
Beyond visitor numbers alone, tourism professionals thus see a more structural challenge for Fez: turning passing visitors into tourists who choose to stay for several days.
As temperatures are expected to become more moderate, tourism professionals are hoping to see the trend reverse. Mid-September could mark a new phase for Fez, with visitor numbers picking up and activity increasing across hotels, riads, restaurants, shops and guided tours.
