Our Fes Family Itinerary

Our Fes Family Itinerary: Traveling With Kids

This is our Fes family itinerary, the honest version, covering stroller logistics in the medina, how we paced hot June days, and what our girls actually ate. Fes turned out to be one of the easiest cities we visited with kids.

What is it like to navigate Fes with kids?  Not bad! Kaida and Viona were 3 and 6 years of age on this trip, so there were limitations on how far we could walk before their little legs would get tired.  This was something we knew would impact how much we could see in a day.  It was also quite hot while we were there in June (between 85-95 Fahrenheit).

Stroller was a must for us so we could conquer more ground without Kaida pooping out and telling us her legs don’t work.  The medina in Fes had nicer roads/ground cover than in Marrakech.  Pretty much everything was paved or stone.  The umbrella stroller was easy to use, even on the stone streets.  The medina is on a hill side and while most of it is slopes, there are the occasional steps or stairs but they too were easy to navigate or lift the stroller between the two of us.  In general I felt the medina was also much cleaner than Marrakech.  Sure if you walked through the fish or meat market there are bound to be some disturbing things on the ground but for the most part we never had to cringe about the stroller wheels running through something unspeakably nasty.

Car seats are not a requirement or law in Morocco, and they can be difficult to come by. We do not like to travel with a car seat (no one wants to lug that thing around with all the normal travel junk). We typically take taxis or the equivalent of a taxi when getting around a city and children are not required to have a car seat in some countries. We are comfortable with this.  That being said, if you are mostly staying in the medina (which is where most of what is worth seeing on your first go around is), then you don’t have to worry because the medina is car free and you can’t take a taxi anyways!

Sleeping arrangements

We love AirBnB’s and most hosts will accommodate getting you a pack and play or crib if you ask them, even if they don’t have it listed on their amenities list. We also really like having more space and vacation rentals typically get you WAY more space than a hotel. Visit our page on where to stay in Fes for more info and photo’s about the AirBnB we stayed in.

Food and picky little eaters!

Food in Fes with kids, pretty much mirrored our experience in Marrakech. We have one picky eater who shall not be named (it’s totally Kaida!).  There is so much bread at every meal, great for kids! It is also very easy to find milk and yogurt at almost every corner stall market, and a variation of crackers and cookies.There are lots of people selling fresh juices from carts. Many restaurants (in addition to bread) also offered butter noodles or french fries. So maybe not the most well-rounded diet, but you’re traveling. It’s temporary and your kid won’t starve! We also brought along a giant goldfish box (leaving room for souvenirs in the suitcase when the kids finished it!) and applesauce pouches. Giving the kids a few items they were familiar with made things a little easier.

Wrapping up

From what we gleaned on our three weeks around all of Morocco (Fes included) the culture is very family oriented. Children are highly regarded and treated well and never like an annoyance. We never felt like our children were a burden to anyone, any restaurant, shop owner, etc. People were extremely welcoming and loved interacting with our kids in a very respectful way. Traveling in Fes with kids and all of Morocco was a very positive experience.

Planning Your Fes Family Itinerary

If I were planning our Fes family itinerary again, I would keep the same loose rhythm: one or two big sights in the cool of the morning, a long lunch and downtime at the riad through the hottest hours, then an easy wander through the souks or a garden as the light softened. Fes packs a lot into a small medina, so you do not need to rush. Three or four unhurried days let us see the highlights without anyone melting down.

Time of year matters with little ones. We visited in June and it sat between 85 and 95 degrees, so spring and fall are gentler if your dates are flexible. Whenever you go, build in water breaks and a shady midday pause. A riad with a central courtyard was worth every dirham, giving the girls somewhere safe to run while we caught our breath.

Getting around is mostly on foot, so pack light and bring a sturdy umbrella stroller for the paved lanes. Keep your riad business card in a pocket, because the medina is a glorious maze and even locals give directions by landmark. For meals, most places had bread, fries, or plain noodles that pleased picky eaters, and we filled the gaps with familiar snacks from home.

Ready to map out your own days? Start with our full Fes with kids travel guide, line up your base with our where to stay in Fes picks, and see the highlights on our things to do in Fes with kids page.