Fès-Meknès is a region of north-central Morocco that holds two of the country's four imperial cities: Fès, home to the world's largest living medieval medina and the oldest university in continuous operation, and Meknès, the 17th-century capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Between and around them lie the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the holy hilltop town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the cedar forests and lakes of the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou, and the cherry-growing towns of Sefrou and Bhalil.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Fès-Meknès is socially conservative; cover shoulders and knees in the medinas and in small towns like Moulay Idriss and Sefrou.
Greet shopkeepers and hosts with 'salam alaykum' before asking a question.
Use the right hand for eating, handing over money and receiving tea.
Fès is known for its refined Fassi cuisine, craftsmanship and religious scholarship; shopkeepers appreciate polite interest.
Ask before photographing people; tannery workers and market vendors may request a small fee.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun's shrine and most mosques are closed to non-Muslims, although non-Muslims are allowed in the town itself.
Friday is the main day of prayer; many shops close from about 12:00 to 15:00.
Haggle in the souks, but not in food markets, taxis with meters or fixed-price cooperatives.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees.
- Accept mint tea when offered; it is a gesture of hospitality, not an obligation to buy.
- Take off shoes when entering a home or carpeted prayer area.
- Carry small bills (10, 20, 50 MAD) for tips.
- Use a licensed guide, identified by an official badge, in the Fès medina.
- Wash and dry hands before sharing a communal dish.
- Learn a few phrases of Darija and French.
- Respect the call to prayer by lowering your voice near mosques.
Don't
- Do not enter mosques or the Moulay Idriss shrine unless permitted.
- Do not photograph the royal palace guards, police or military sites.
- Do not eat or hand items with the left hand.
- Do not take photos of people without permission.
- Do not show public affection beyond holding hands.
- Do not drink alcohol in public; it is limited to licensed bars and hotels.
- Do not follow touts who say a street is closed or offer a free tour; costs usually appear later.
- Do not feed the Barbary macaques in the cedar forest.
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- A handshake is standard between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand, otherwise place a right hand over the heart. 'Salam alaykum' is the default greeting; the reply is 'wa alaykum salam'.
- Dining
- Meals are often shared from a central tagine or platter using bread and the right hand. Eat from the portion in front of you and wait for the host to start.
- Dress
- Loose, modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected in the medinas. Women do not need to cover their hair.
- Gifts
- If invited home, sweets, pastries or tea are a good gift. Do not bring alcohol.
- Business
- Relationships matter. Meetings usually start after tea and small talk; punctuality is flexible.
- Tipping
- Tip 5-10% in restaurants (around 10-20 MAD, approx $1.10-2.15), 10-20 MAD for porters and a small tip for guides (about 50-100 MAD, approx $5.40-10.80, for a half day).
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
As-salamu alaykum (السلام عليكم)
Hello / Peace be upon you
as-sa-LAAM ah-LAY-koom
Wa alaykum as-salam (وعليكم السلام)
Reply: And upon you peace
wa ah-LAY-koom as-sa-LAAM
Shukran (شكرا)
Thank you
SHOOK-ran
Afak / Min fadlak (من فضلك)
Please
ah-FAK / min FAD-lak
Iyeh / La (إيه / لا)
Yes / No
EE-yeh / la
Bshhal? (بشحال)
How much?
b-SHAHL
Ghali bzaf (غالي بزاف)
Too expensive
GHAH-lee b-ZAF
La shukran (لا شكرا)
No thank you
la SHOOK-ran
Fin kayn...? (فين كاين)
Where is...?
feen KAYN
Bnin (بنين)
Delicious
bneen
Smeh liya (سمح ليا)
Excuse me / Sorry
SMEH lee-ya
Bslama (بسلامة)
Goodbye
b-sla-MA
Ma fhemtsh (ما فهمتش)
I do not understand
ma FEHM-tsh
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Fès-Meknès.
Main: Islam (Sunni, Maliki school) is the state religion, and Fès is regarded as Morocco's spiritual capital. A historic Jewish community remains in Fès and Meknès in small numbers.
Sites: Al-Qarawiyyin, the Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II and the Moulay Idriss Zerhoun shrine are for Muslims inside; non-Muslims can view the exteriors. The Moulay Ismail Mausoleum in Meknès and madrasas such as Bou Inania are open to all visitors.
Holy Days: Ramadan shifts yearly; Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are national holidays with closures. The Mawlid is celebrated across the region.
Conversations: Religion is spoken of openly and respectfully. Visitors are not expected to share beliefs, but should avoid criticising Islam or the monarchy.