8 Best Rooftop Terraces in Fes
Views over the world's largest living medieval city — tannery terraces, sunset panoramas, and rooftop dining above the ancient medina.
Terrace Essentials
Merinid Tombs Viewpoint
Panoramic ViewThe most spectacular viewpoint in all of Morocco — the Merinid Tombs sit on the hill above Fes el-Bali, offering a complete panorama of the world's largest medieval medina. From this vantage point, 9,000+ streets and 11,000+ buildings spread below like a living medieval map: thousands of flat roofs, hundreds of minarets, the distinctive green-tiled roof of the Qarawiyyin Mosque (the world's oldest university, founded 859 AD), and the mosaic of neighborhoods that have changed little in a millennium. The tombs themselves are 14th-century Merinid dynasty ruins — roofless but photogenic, with carved plaster fragments still visible. The viewpoint is free and always accessible. Sunset is the peak experience: the medina turns golden, the call to prayer rises from every direction (you can hear dozens of mosques in sequence, an unforgettable soundscape), and the sky becomes a canvas of orange and pink. The surrounding hills are covered in olive groves. A small café at the viewpoint sells tea and snacks. Accessible by taxi from the medina (15 MAD) or by walking up from Bab Guissa (30 minutes, steep but scenic).
Chouara Tannery Terraces
Tannery ViewThe iconic tannery view — the leather shops surrounding the Chouara Tannery offer roof terraces with direct views down into the honeycombed dyeing pits where leather has been processed by hand for over 1,000 years. The view is extraordinary: circular stone vats filled with white (lime), red (poppy), yellow (saffron), blue (indigo), and brown (cedar) dyes, with tanners wading waist-deep in the pits, turning hides by hand. The process is medieval and unchanged — this is the world's oldest surviving tannery. The shops provide sprigs of mint for the smell (the tanning process uses pigeon droppings and natural chemicals). Multiple shops offer terrace access — Terrasse de Tanneurs and the shops along Rue Chouara are the most popular. Access is free but the shops expect you to browse their leather goods afterward — there's no obligation to buy, though a 20–50 MAD tip is customary. Guides in the street will offer to lead you to the terraces (20–50 MAD tip expected). Best visited mid-morning (10 AM–12 PM) when workers are most active and the light is best on the pits.
The Ruined Garden
Restaurant TerraceA restaurant built in the ruins of a collapsed riad in the heart of the Fes medina — The Ruined Garden has a ground-floor courtyard open to the sky (the "ruin") and a rooftop terrace with medina views. The concept is unique: the crumbling walls of the original riad have been preserved as architectural features, with fig trees and jasmine growing through the ruins. The rooftop terrace offers intimate views over the surrounding rooftops — you're at the same level as the minarets and satellite dishes, immersed in the medina skyline. The food is excellent: modern Moroccan with seasonal ingredients, salads, tagines, and excellent pastries (mains 60–120 MAD). The atmosphere is calm and green — a garden oasis in the dense medina. The clientele is a mix of tourists and Fes expats. The location in the Zkak Roumane neighborhood requires navigation through narrow medina streets — the restaurant sends directions or a guide to meet you. Lunch is the most pleasant time; sunset on the terrace is magical but the restaurant is small and popular.
Riad Fes Terrace
Luxury RiadOne of the finest riads in Fes — Riad Fes is a restored 18th-century palace with a rooftop terrace that offers panoramic views over the medina. Non-guests can access the terrace for drinks (advance booking recommended). The views are exceptional: the medina stretching in every direction, the Qarawiyyin Mosque green roof visible, and the hills beyond. The riad interior is spectacular: zellij tilework, carved plaster, painted cedar ceilings, and a courtyard with reflecting pool. The terrace has comfortable seating, attentive service, and a cocktail menu featuring Moroccan ingredients. The atmosphere is refined and peaceful — the opposite of the medina chaos below. The rooftop pool (guests only) adds to the allure. For non-guests, the terrace bar and restaurant are accessible — call ahead to confirm availability and be guided to the entrance (the medina location requires navigation). Cocktails from 80 MAD are reasonable for the quality and setting. Sunset is extraordinary from this terrace: the golden light on the medina rooftops, the call to prayer, and the mountains in the distance.
Café Clock Fes
Cultural TerraceThe original Café Clock (the Marrakech branch came later) — a community-focused cultural café in the Talaa Kebira neighborhood with a multi-level layout that includes a rooftop terrace with medina views. The café is a meeting point for locals, expats, and travelers: cultural events (storytelling, calligraphy, Gnaoua music), language exchanges, and cooking classes happen regularly. The rooftop terrace is small but atmospheric: views over the Talaa Kebira rooftops, close to the minarets and mosque domes of the old city. The food is the signature Café Clock fusion: the famous camel burger (75 MAD), Moroccan salads, and good coffee. The atmosphere is warm and inclusive — this is where Fes's creative community gathers. The location on the main artery of the medina (Talaa Kebira) is relatively easy to find. The terrace is busiest at sunset and during events. The philosophy of cultural exchange and community is genuine — the founder, Ahmed Naji, created Café Clock as a bridge between local and international cultures.
Palais Amani Terrace
Palace GardenA beautifully restored palace hotel near the Bab Boujloud entrance to the medina — Palais Amani has Andalusian gardens, a cooking school, and a rooftop terrace with views over the northern edge of the medina and the surrounding hills. Non-guests can access the terrace for drinks and meals. The gardens are the highlight: lemon trees, jasmine, a herb garden used in the cooking school, and a central fountain. The terrace above offers a green-framed view of the medina — the gardens below, the rooftops beyond, and the Merinid Tombs hillside in the distance. The atmosphere is peaceful and refined. The cocktail menu features garden ingredients: fresh mint, rosemary, lemon from the trees below. The cooking school is popular and bookable for non-guests. The location near Bab Boujloud (the famous blue gate) makes Palais Amani one of the most accessible riad terraces in Fes — you don't need to navigate deep into the medina to find it. Tea service on the terrace with pastries (40 MAD) is the best-value experience.
Dar Roumana Terrace
Boutique RiadOne of Fes's finest dining experiences, set on a rooftop terrace — Dar Roumana is a boutique riad in the Zkak Roumane neighborhood run by a professional chef (Jennifer Smith-Davis) who serves a multi-course Moroccan-inspired dinner that's widely considered the best meal in Fes. The rooftop terrace is intimate: a handful of tables under the stars, lantern light, and the medina rooftops stretching into darkness. Non-guests can book the set dinner (350 MAD, four courses — outstanding value for the quality). The menu changes nightly based on market ingredients: expect refined versions of Moroccan classics with European technique. Past dishes: saffron prawn bisque, lamb shank with preserved lemon and olive, pomegranate and rosewater panna cotta. The atmosphere is special-occasion: candlelight, attentive service, and the romance of dining on a Fes rooftop. Booking essential — dinner slots fill days in advance. The walk through the medina at night adds to the experience.
Bab Boujloud Cafés
Gate ViewThe simple cafés around Bab Boujloud — the famous blue-tiled gate of the Fes medina — offer terrace seating with views of one of Morocco's most iconic entrances. Multiple cafés on both sides of the gate have upper-floor terraces: order a mint tea (15–25 MAD) and watch the constant flow of people, donkeys, and handcarts passing through the medieval gate. The gate itself is beautiful: blue zellij tiles on the outside (facing the new city), green tiles on the inside (facing the medina), and carved plaster detailing. From the terraces, you can see the minaret of the Bou Inania Madrasa (one of Fes's finest medieval schools) rising above the gate. The cafés are simple and cheap: basic tea, coffee, and simple food. The experience is about the front-row seat to medina life rather than the quality of the tea. Sunset is particularly atmospheric: the gate glows golden, the streets fill with evening activity, and the transition from day to night at this ancient threshold is a Fes essential. The cafés on the south side of the gate have the best angles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you see the Fes tanneries from above?
The Chouara Tannery — the largest and most famous of the Fes tanneries — can be viewed from the terraces of leather shops that surround it. These shops (Terrasse de Tanneurs, Chouara Tannery Terrace, and several others) allow free access to their terraces, though they expect you to look at their leather goods afterward — there's no obligation to buy. The terraces offer a direct view down into the tannery pits: the honeycombed vats of color (white, red, yellow, brown) where leather has been dyed by hand for over 1,000 years. The shops provide sprigs of mint to hold under your nose against the strong smell of the tanning process (pigeon excrement and other organic materials are used). The best time to visit is mid-morning (10 AM–12 PM) when the workers are most active and the light illuminates the pits. Be aware that guides will approach you in the street to lead you to the terraces — this is normal but they expect a tip (20–50 MAD).
What makes Fes rooftop terraces different from Marrakech?
Fes terraces offer a fundamentally different experience from Marrakech. The Fes medina (Fes el-Bali) is the world's largest car-free urban zone — 9,000+ streets, 11,000+ buildings — and from the rooftops, this vast medieval city spreads in every direction like a frozen wave of minarets, satellite dishes, and flat roofs. Marrakech's medina is smaller and more commercial; Fes's is deeper, older, and more mysterious. Fes terraces tend to be at riad guesthouses rather than stand-alone restaurants — there are fewer public rooftop cafés than in Marrakech. The views include medieval madrasas, the green-tiled roofs of mosques, and the surrounding hills. The Merinid Tombs viewpoint above the medina offers the most complete panorama. The atmosphere is quieter and more contemplative than Marrakech's buzzy terrace scene — Fes rewards slow observation rather than social energy.
What is the best viewpoint in Fes?
The Merinid Tombs (Borj Nord viewpoint) on the hill north of the medina offer the most comprehensive panorama of Fes. From here, the entire medina — the world's largest medieval city — spreads below like a map: thousands of flat roofs, hundreds of minarets, the green roofs of the Qarawiyyin Mosque, and the surrounding hills covered in olive groves. The tombs themselves are 14th-century Merinid dynasty ruins (not open but atmospheric from outside). The viewpoint is accessible by taxi (15 MAD from the medina) or by walking up from Bab Guissa (30 minutes, steep). Sunset is the best time: the medina glows golden, the muezzin calls echo across the valley, and the sky turns crimson. Sunrise is equally beautiful and much less crowded. The viewpoint is free and always accessible. Within the medina, the best terrace views are from Riad Fes, The Ruined Garden, and Café Clock.