Solo Traveller-Friendly Small-Group Experiences in Fes
After years of travelling solo around the world, I’ve become a huge fan of the freedom it brings. There’s something incredibly special about waking up and deciding exactly how you want to spend the day…and claiming the entire hotel bed (yes, sleeping diagonally is one of my favourite solo travel luxuries!).
But solo travel does come with a few challenges and one of the biggest is the dreaded “single supplement”.
When you’re travelling alone, it’s surprisingly common to pay more for tours, activities and experiences than couples or groups. Many operators base their prices on two or more people sharing costs, which means solo travellers can sometimes find themselves paying double just to join the same experience.
Fes is no exception. While exploring this incredible city independently is absolutely possible, many tours and cultural experiences have a minimum booking requirement of two people. Others will happily accept solo travellers, but only if you’re willing to pay a private tour rate or an additional single supplement.
And while I completely understand why this happens (local guides and tour companies need to cover operating costs), I know how frustrating it can feel when you’re planning a solo trip and trying to make your budget stretch further.
Thankfully, there are several small-group tours in Fes that allow you to book and pay for a single place, rather than covering the cost of two (or more). These are perfect for solo travellers on a budget in Morocco or those who want to share the experience with others.
In this article, I’ll share some of my favourites, including everything from cooking classes to day trips and overnight desert excursions. All of the best small-group tours in Fes for solo travellers come with glowing reviews from previous guests, giving you peace of mind that they maintain high standards across their operations.
If you’re visiting this ancient Moroccan city, discover some of the most amazing places to stay in Fes for solo travellers. Alternatively, check out my solo traveller’s guide to Fes.
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Small-group guided tour of Fes
I’ve explored Fes both independently and with a local guide, and while I’m a huge advocate for solo travel, Fes is the one city in Morocco where I always recommend joining a guided tour…at least on your first day.
The medina is an incredible place to wander, but with thousands of narrow alleyways and very few obvious landmarks, it’s surprisingly easy to lose your bearings.
Fes is also one destination in Morocco where you’ll occasionally encounter people offering unsolicited directions or trying to “guide” you for a fee. While most of these interactions are harmless, they can be disconcerting.
That’s why I recommend starting your visit with a licensed local guide. Once you’ve got your bearings and understand the layout of the medina, you’ll feel far more confident returning to explore on your own.
The guide leading this tour is Abdou Rahim. Born and raised in Fes, he knows the city inside out and has a genuine passion for sharing its history, architecture and traditions. He’s also an excellent communicator in English and has built a fantastic reputation with travellers for making even the most complex history engaging and easy to understand.
During the three-hour walking tour, you’ll discover places that are easy to overlook if you’re exploring alone. Abdou explains the fascinating history of Al Quaraouiyine, takes you to one of the best viewpoints overlooking the famous Chouara Tannery, and shares the stories behind Fes’ magnificent madrasas.
What I particularly like is that the tour isn’t just about ticking off famous sights. As you walk through the winding streets of Fes el-Bali, there’s plenty of time to ask questions about everyday life, local customs or anything else you’re curious about. Having someone with such deep local knowledge completely changes the experience.
One thing previous travellers consistently mention is Abdou’s sense of humour and relaxed approach. He has a knack for making everyone feel comfortable, whether you’re travelling solo or with friends, and he peppers the tour with interesting stories and little-known facts that bring the medina to life.
Another reason I often recommend this tour to solo travellers is that it operates even if you’re the only person booked. On the rare occasion that happens, you essentially get a private guided tour for the price of a small-group experience, which is a pretty special way to discover one of Morocco’s most fascinating cities.
Small-group cooking class at Palais Amani
If you’re anything like me, one of the best ways to understand a destination is through its food. And in Fes, I can’t think of a better experience than taking a cooking class at Palais Amani.
Housed inside a beautifully restored palace, Palais Amani has earned a reputation as one of the city’s top culinary destinations.
Unlike many cooking classes in Fes that require a minimum of two people or charge private rates for solo bookings, you simply reserve your own place and join a small group. It’s a fantastic way to meet other travellers while learning something new together.
The experience begins exactly where Moroccan cooking starts – in the local souk. Walking through the market with your guide, you’ll learn about seasonal produce, spices and the ingredients that form the backbone of Moroccan cuisine.
Back at Palais Amani, the cooking class takes place in a wonderfully relaxed setting. If the weather is kind, you’ll cook on the rooftop terrace, which makes the whole experience feel even more memorable as the sounds of the medina drift up around you.
What I particularly like about the class is that it’s genuinely hands-on. Rather than simply watching a demonstration, you’ll prepare classic Moroccan dishes yourself while learning about the cultural influences that have shaped the country’s cuisine over centuries.
Amazigh, Arab, Jewish, Andalusian and Mediterranean traditions all leave their mark on the recipes, making the class as much about Morocco’s history as it is about food.
Usually, you’ll prepare favourites like chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives, alongside smoky zaalouk, one of my favourite warm Moroccan salads. By the end of the class, you’ll not only have enjoyed a delicious meal, but also leave with new skills and recipes you can recreate long after you’ve returned home.
If you’ve already mastered the classics, Palais Amani also offers specialist classes focusing on traditional Moroccan baking and Sephardic Jewish cuisine, celebrating the rich culinary heritage that has helped make Fes one of Morocco’s great food cities.
Small-group tour from Fes to Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss
f you have an extra day in Fes after exploring the medina, I’d really encourage you to venture beyond the city.
One excursion I think is especially worthwhile for solo travellers combines Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Together, they tell a fascinating story about Morocco’s Amazigh, Roman and Islamic heritage…and they offer a completely different perspective from the bustling streets of Fes.
I particularly like this small-group tour because it’s limited to around 15 people. It’s large enough that you usually end up chatting with other travellers, but intimate enough that the experience never feels rushed or impersonal.
The first stop is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in North Africa. Founded by Amazigh communities before flourishing under Roman rule, Volubilis was once a prosperous city built on olive production and trade.
Even today, the mosaic floors, triumphal arches and temple remains hint at just how impressive it must have been.
From there, the tour continues to Moulay Idriss, one of Morocco’s holiest towns. Built across two hillsides, it’s a beautiful place to wander, with sweeping views over the surrounding countryside.
Although the shrine containing the tomb of Idris I is reserved for Muslim pilgrims, the whitewashed town itself is worth visiting.
The final stop is Meknes, one of Morocco’s often-overlooked imperial cities. Compared to Marrakech or Fes, it’s far more relaxed and home to one of the finest gateways in Africa – Bab Mansour.
Aside from visiting the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, you’ll spend time soaking up the atmosphere in Place El Hedim and have the opportunity to browse traditional artisan stalls before returning to Fes.
Small-group day trip from Fes to Chefchaouen
One of the places that completely captured my imagination on my Morocco travels is Chefchaouen. With its dreamy blue-washed streets, mountain setting and relaxed atmosphere, it’s easy to understand why the “Blue Pearl” has become one of Morocco’s most beloved destinations.
Ideally, I’d recommend spending a night or two here so you can experience Chefchaouen when the day-trippers have left. But if your itinerary is tight or the bus schedules don’t quite work in your favour, a guided day trip from Fes can be a great alternative, especially for solo travellers who want to experience this magical town without the stress of organising every detail.
I do want to be upfront about one thing: Chefchaouen is not a quick hop from Fes. The journey takes around 3.5 hours each way, so this is a full day with a significant amount of time spent in a vehicle. If long drives aren’t your idea of fun, I’d save Chefchaouen for another trip when you can stay overnight.
But if you’re happy with the journey, I genuinely think it’s worth it.
The drive itself is part of the experience. Leaving behind the intensity of Fes, the landscape gradually changes as you head towards the Rif Mountains. The scenery becomes greener, the roads wind through rolling hills and you get a glimpse of rural Morocco – a side of the country that many visitors miss.
On this small-group day trip, you’ll be collected from your Fes accommodation and transported comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle. There’s even a short stop at Barrage Sidi Chahed, a peaceful lake, so you can stretch your legs and take in the views.
After arriving in Chefchaouen, you’ll have time to wander through the cobbled streets, admire the countless shades of blue and explore the historic Kasbah. You’ll also visit Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen (from the outside, as non-Muslims cannot enter) and enjoy lunch in Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the lively central square.
For solo travellers, one of my favourite things about this tour option is the flexibility around group size. You can choose between smaller groups of around 8 people or larger groups of up to 17 or 27, depending on your budget and how social you want the experience to be.
Small-group 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour
One of the questions I get asked most by solo travellers visiting Morocco is: “Can I actually experience the Sahara Desert on my own?” The answer is absolutely yes! But finding the right tour can be tricky.
There are countless Sahara tours leaving from Fes, but many are designed for private groups or require at least two people to book. When you’re travelling solo, that can quickly make what should be an unforgettable experience feel unnecessarily complicated (and expensive).
That’s why I love this particular small-group Sahara adventure from Fes. It’s one of the few options that welcomes solo travellers without a minimum booking requirement, and it includes something I think is incredibly important: two nights in the desert.
Spending an extra night means you have time to truly settle into the landscape rather than arriving, sleeping and leaving again before you’ve had a chance to absorb the magic.
Another huge bonus for solo travellers is that the tour finishes in Marrakech. This saves you the hassle of arranging another transport connection if the Red City is next on your itinerary.
The journey itself is a huge part of the adventure. Leaving Fes behind, you’ll travel through some of Morocco’s most diverse landscapes, watching the scenery transform from cedar forests and mountains to endless desert horizons.
Along the way, you’ll stop in Ifrane, often nicknamed the “Switzerland of Morocco” thanks to its alpine-style architecture and cooler mountain climate. You’ll also visit the Cèdre Gouraud Forest, where you can spot Barbary macaques among the ancient cedar trees. Then, continue through the dramatic landscapes of the Ziz Valley, famous for its palm-filled oases and sweeping desert scenery.
Eventually, you’ll arrive in Merzouga, the gateway to the spectacular dunes of Erg Chebbi.
Leaving the vehicle behind, you’ll climb onto a camel and travel into the dunes as the sun begins to sink. Watching the Sahara change colour at sunset, before arriving at a traditional desert camp, is one of those Morocco moments that stays with you forever.
The next morning, you’ll wake up early for sunrise over the dunes – something I always recommend, even if it means sacrificing a little sleep. Seeing the first light spill across the Sahara is genuinely unforgettable.
With a full day in the desert, you won’t feel rushed. You’ll have time to explore Erg Chebbi and visit a nomadic village to gain insight into the communities that have called this region home for generations.
The fact that this tour includes a second night in the Sahara is, in my opinion, one of its biggest advantages. If you’re making the effort to travel all the way from Fes to the desert, you want time to experience it properly…not just tick it off your itinerary.
On the return journey towards Marrakech, the adventure continues through some of Morocco’s most underrated destinations. You’ll travel through the Valley of Roses (it smells as good as it sounds), pass through the dramatic cliffs of Todra Gorge and make your way over the jaw-dropping Tizi n’Tichka Pass in the High Atlas Mountains.
FAQs
Are group tours in Morocco a good option for solo travellers?
Absolutely. In fact, I often recommend small-group tours to solo travellers visiting Morocco for the first time. It’s a great way to explore unfamiliar destinations without having to organise every detail yourself.
At the same time, you’ll have the chance to meet like-minded travellers along the way and benefit from the knowledge that local guides bring. It just adds another layer to the experience.
Will I feel awkward joining a tour alone?
Not at all. Morocco attracts solo travellers from all over the world and it’s very common for people to join group tours on their own.
In my experience, many people on these tours are solo travellers, especially on longer adventures like Sahara Desert trips, Atlas Mountain excursions and multi-day Morocco itineraries. Everyone arrives in the same position—looking to explore Morocco, meet people and share experiences.
What size group is best for solo travel in Morocco?
I personally prefer small-group tours, especially in Morocco. They feel more personal, allow you to connect with your guide and usually provide a more authentic experience.
A group of around 6–15 people is my “sweet spot”. It’s large enough that I’m likely meet other travellers but small enough that I don’t feel as though I’m being herded around like sheep.
Are Morocco group tours safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, many solo female travellers join group tours in Morocco and, personally, I’ve had some incredible experiences doing this.
A reputable tour provides extra confidence because you have a trusted local guide, organised transport and support if you need it. This can be especially helpful in places like Morocco where navigating cultural differences or language barriers might feel challenging at first.
That said, it’s still important to choose a responsible tour operator, dress respectfully and follow the same common-sense precautions you would anywhere else in the world.
Do I have to share a room on a Morocco group tour?
It depends on the tour. Some budget group tours in Morocco include shared accommodation, while others offer private rooms for an additional fee.
When booking, always check the accommodation policy carefully. As a solo traveller, I personally think having your own room is worth the extra cost…but perhaps that’s because I’m in my 40s and like my own space!
Many riads and desert camps offer beautiful private rooms, so you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice comfort when travelling alone.
Are group tours in Morocco only for young backpackers?
Definitely not. Morocco group tours attract a wide range of travellers, from people in their 20s taking their first solo trip to experienced travellers in their 50s, 60s and beyond.
In my experience, small-group tours in Morocco tend to attract people who are curious, respectful and excited to experience the culture. Age matters far less than attitude.
Is it safe to walk around Fes alone?
Generally speaking, Fes is a relatively safe city for solo travellers. That is, provided you are aware of your surroundings and don’t put yourself into potentially dangerous situations.
For instance, it’s best to stick to busy and well-lit areas, especially when walking at night. Also, never follow strangers who approach you unsolicited.
If you find yourself feeling uneasy or are venturing into unfamiliar neighbourhoods, consider joining a group or hiring a local guide for added security. You should always keep your valuables close to your body and be extra vigilant in crowded places where pickpockets may be active.
Should I take a guided tour in Fes?
Taking a guided tour in Fes is highly recommended, particularly for those eager to delve deeper into the city’s history and culture. While it is certainly possible to explore Fes independently, a knowledgeable local guide can significantly enrich your experience. They will offer insights and context that you might overlook on your own.
The Fes medina can be quite overwhelming and it’s easy to get lost in the labyrinthine streets. Local guides know the area like the back of their hand and lead some of the best small-group tours in Fes. They will share fascinating anecdotes about the various landmarks and buildings you encounter along the way.
The best small-group tours in Fes also unlock the door to hidden gems, such as traditional bakeries and artisanal rug-weaving workshops that may be overlooked by independent travellers.
Is Morocco safe?
Many people wonder, “Is it safe to travel alone in Morocco?” or “Is Morocco a safe country?” Personally, I think Morocco is a safe travel destination. But it’s wise to remain cautious and aware of possible risks, just like you would in any new place.
Petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen and scams, especially involving taxi drivers, are not uncommon. However, violent crimes against tourists are quite rare and help is usually nearby if you encounter any difficulties.
By staying vigilant, using your common sense and following basic safety tips, most travellers have a wonderful experience in Morocco. I recommend that solo travellers familiarise themselves with potential issues or harassment before they travel so they can be well-prepared to deal with them on arrival.
If you’re feeling unsure, consider joining a small-group tour in Morocco for added peace of mind.
Should women visit Morocco alone?
Absolutely! Being a woman or wanting to travel alone shouldn’t deter you from exploring Morocco. Or, for that matter, any other destination around the globe.
However, it’s important for solo female travellers to recognise that harassment can occur. It’s wise to prepare yourself mentally for such situations.
Expect some level of catcalling and unwanted attention from men, especially in cities like Marrakech, Fes and Casablanca. If you encounter unwanted attention, it’s best to ignore it. Don’t be afraid to seek assistance from other locals if you feel overwhelmed.
I always recommend that my female friends dress modestly to minimise attention and to respect local customs. Additionally, consider staying in riads and hotels in busier areas to avoid walking through dark streets alone at night. Also, steer clear of any substances that might cloud your judgment.
If you’re concerned about travelling solo in Morocco as a woman, there are lots of small-group guided tours you can join. Not only do these provide a sense of “safety in numbers,” but you may just meet lifelong friends in the process.
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I’m Malika, an Australian-born travel writer with an intense love for Morocco. I first travelled here solo in 2014 and after meeting (and marrying) a local, I made this North African gem my home. Since that time, I have explored the country extensively, travelling to all corners with my partner, friends and on my own.
Morocco is an incredible destination and one that I think everyone who has the “travel bug” should experience. The scenery is spectacular, the medinas are enchanting and the locals are among the friendliest (and funniest) people I’ve ever met.
I also know that Morocco can feel intimidating for first-time solo travellers, especially given the amount of conflicting advice shared online. That’s why I’ve created this guide: to provide practical, balanced, and up-to-date advice based on my own experiences. My hope is that it helps you travel with confidence and enjoy everything this extraordinary country has to offer.
