Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Morocco due to risk of terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Fri, 04 Sep 2026
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Is Fes safe? 🇲🇦
Morocco · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Fes scores 71/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Fes is generally safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty theft and scams. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Fes 🇲🇦
Morocco · Assessed 11 October 2026
71
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime67/100FairCrime index 47.1 / 100
Sentiment82/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability63Fair
Health68Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T11:09:33Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Morocco: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-09T10:16:02.0100696-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
1.2M residents
66
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
1.7 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Morocco1.7World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
88
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery and mugging are rare; violent crime against visitors is uncommon but not unknown in isolated areas.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded medina alleys, souks, and near major gates like Bab Agnaou and Bab Ftouh.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
82/100
Reported feel72Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate most visitors feel safe during the day in Fes, particularly in guided groups, but express caution after dark in less crowded areas.
Yes. Fes is generally safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty theft and scams.
Fes has low violent crime but notable risks from pickpocketing and tourist scams, especially in the crowded medina alleys and souks. Recent traveler reports indicate most visitors feel safe during the day, particularly in guided groups, but caution is advised after dark in less crowded areas. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory for Morocco due to terrorism risk, though no terrorist incidents targeting tourists were recorded in Fes in 2025.
Recent developments
- Dec 2025Two buildings collapsed in Fes, killing at least 22 people— Reuters
- Mar 2026Traveler reports note Fes is safer than expected with standard precautions advised— The Irish News
Common scams
- Fake guides offering unsolicited assistance in the medina
- Tannery tricks where visitors are pressured to buy overpriced goods
- 'Closed street' ruses to divert tourists toward paid services
Full briefing
Fes remains a secure destination for international visitors in 2026 with standard precautions advised. The ancient imperial city operates safely for tourists, experiencing typical urban safety challenges without significant security threats to visitors. Violent crime is rare, and most reported incidents involve petty theft or opportunistic scams, particularly in the maze-like medina alleys and bustling souks where pickpocketing poses a moderate risk.
Travelers should be wary of common scams targeting visitors, including fake guides who offer unsolicited assistance in the medina, tannery tricks where individuals are pressured to buy overpriced goods, and 'closed street' ruses designed to divert tourists toward paid services. Increased tourist police presence in the Fes Medina during peak hours (09:00–18:00) helps mitigate risks, but vigilance is still required in crowded areas and after dark in less frequented zones.
To stay safe, keep valuables in front pockets and avoid displaying items like phones or wallets in busy markets. Use only licensed taxis or reputable rideshare services, especially at night, and firmly decline unsolicited guides by appearing confident in your direction—acknowledging them often leads to prolonged unwanted attention. While the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory for Morocco due to terrorism concerns, Morocco’s Interior Ministry reported zero terrorist incidents targeting tourists in Fes during 2025, and the city’s overall safety environment remains stable for those exercising normal caution.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Fes districts for visitors: 2 safer, 5 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Fes safety map.
Ain Chkef (Industrial Zone)avoidIndustrial area with minimal tourist presence, poor lighting, and higher crime risk; not recommended for visitors.
Fes el Bali (Medina)cautionHistoric medina with pickpocketing, scams, and crowds; safe by day with vigilance, avoid alleys after dark.
Borj NordcautionHilltop fortress with panoramic views; petty theft reported near entrance, visit by day only.
Borj SudcautionSimilar to Borj Nord; scenic but isolated, risk of opportunistic theft, avoid after sunset.
Tanneries (Chouara Tannery area)cautionPopular tourist site with strong scam risk from fake guides and 'closed street' tactics; keep valuables secure.
Fes Train Station (Gare de Fes)cautionTransport hub with pickpocketing and scam risks, especially targeting arrivals; use official taxis only.
Fes JdidsaferNewer medina with royal palace and quieter streets; lower crime, good for daytime exploration.
Ville Nouvelle (New Town)saferModern district with hotels, restaurants, and cafes; well-lit, patrolled, and safest for evening stays.
07 · After Dark
Is Fes safe at night?
Armed robbery and mugging are rare; violent crime against visitors is uncommon but not unknown in isolated areas.
After dark, be most careful around Ain Chkef (Industrial Zone), Fes el Bali (Medina), Borj Nord, Borj Sud. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Fes safety FAQ (2026)
Is Fes safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Fes is generally safe for visitors who take standard precautions against petty theft and scams. Fes has low violent crime but notable risks from pickpocketing and tourist scams, especially in the crowded medina alleys and souks. Recent traveler reports indicate most visitors feel safe during the day, particularly in guided groups, but caution is advised after dark in less crowded areas. The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 2 advisory for Morocco due to terrorism risk, though no terrorist incidents targeting tourists were recorded in Fes in 2025. (Assessed 11 October 2026.)
Is Fes safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Fes report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Fes should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Ain Chkef (Industrial Zone) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Fes (2026)?
- Fake guides offering unsolicited assistance in the medina
- Tannery tricks where visitors are pressured to buy overpriced goods
- 'Closed street' ruses to divert tourists toward paid services
How does Fes compare with other places in Morocco (2026)?
Fes ranks #9 of 9 Morocco destinations we've assessed, scoring 71/100. See the Morocco safety overview for the full list.
How is this fes safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: fes.json (CC BY 4.0).