We Ignored the “Best Riad in Fes” Listicles and Stayed at Riad Tizwa Instead

With all the pros and cons, we liked visiting Fes in our great Morocco itinerary. Partially because we stayed in one of the best Riad in Fes, and perhaps in Morocco. It’s not just about the heritage building itself, it’s the position, the people, the breakfast on the rooftop, the interiors that felt cosy, homey and safe.

We stayed at Tizwa Fes, and also stayed at another property of Tizwa in Marrakech medina, and the feeling was unique. While we stayed a total of five nights in Fes, we only stayed at Tizwa for two of them. We wish to stay longer.

Instead of giving you 10 options on where to stay for a traditional Riad in Fes, we truly want to show you what you should look for instead. It’s a proper Tizwa Riad Fes review. That is why we are skipping the fluff and giving you a single, stress-tested recommendation.

A place that made our entire Fes itinerary feel incredible. If you want a sanctuary that balances baseline comforts with serious practicality, this Tizwa Fes review is exactly what you need.

Is Riad Tizwa Fes Worth It for First-Time Visitors?

Yes, the service is unique and feels personalised for every guest. Even though the riad was full (and we could clearly see that at breakfast), it was quiet. Our big window over the internal courtyard was just what we imagined before arriving in Morocco. We had so much fun staying at Tizwa and shooting some of our best photos from Morocco.

Also, if you Google ‘best riads in Fes,’ you’ll get lists of 5-star palaces deep in the Fes el-Bali (Fes medina). What they don’t tell you is that carrying your luggage through a mile of donkey carts at 9 PM is a nightmare. Perhaps these narrow lanes aren’t well lit at night, and it’s one of the most sketchy areas of town. That’s why we push for Riad Tizwa, which is in one of the safest places in Fes Medina – the Batha neighbourhood.

Why Batha is the best area to stay in Fes for first-timers

Batha vs Bab Boujloud: Where to Stay in Fes? To give you more context, we did our due diligence when planning our Fes itinerary. I know we seem obsessed, but picking the best area to stay is the first right move for every destination.

If you look at a map, Fes is anchored by a few main entry points. The two most relevant are Batha and Bab Boujloud, which is best known as the Blue Gate. So that’s the point of why we skipped the Bab Boujloud area as an accommodation base:

• Bab Boujloud is always on; it’s where locals and tourists go. Already passing by felt overwhelming, and we were right to think that it would be too busy to handle. It is packed with cafes, juice stands and of course restaurants open till late. It’s where the two main souk arteries, Talaa Kbira and Talaa Sghira, start. 
• Batha, on the other hand, is a wide square just a few minutes’ walk away. Usually, this is the place where taxis and transfer drop-offs are, and where we could park the car. Near our hotel, there was the Al Batha Museum (Dar Batha), a 19th-century Royal Palace housing regional arts, including pottery, carpets, and woodcraft.

When debating Batha vs Bab Boujloud, where to stay in Fes, the answer is to position yourself right between them. You want the car access of Batha and the immediate medina plunge of the Blue Gate. This perimeter is the sweet spot for independent travellers like me, who ditch the car and want to enjoy a bit of raw medina instead.

Riad Tizwa Fes vs Luxury Riads: What you gain and what you give up

We did our research, and while there are higher price tag Riads in Fes, nothing felt like it matched our budget more than Riad Tizwa. Actually, in the ballot there was also Riad Sidrat (which, by the way, looks very similar). Pricewise, both riads are on the same level – costing about £60/£70 per night (on top you should add taxes, about £3.50 per room). Honestly, we went for the Tizwa because it was £10 less on the day we booked.

While there are definitely more dreamy riads in Fes, often some of them aren’t well located within the main attractions. I would rather pay more and stay in a well-known area for tourists, away from sketchy alleys, than have a bad experience. One of the most interesting ones we found is Riad Hanael Garden & SPA, which also has a pool.

If you can budget for £100 per night, plus taxes, and afford a taxi that constantly takes you from the hills to the places you want to visit, that’s the most unique luxury riad in Fes. We didn’t want to give up the freedom to walk around, come back in our room a bit late, or be tight on transportation.

Also, considering that prices in Fes are very variable, definitely not affordable, we had to act fast and book something that was still within our budget. The Riad Tizwa is that mid-budget option that we often refer to as the diamond in the rough.

We booked within 3 weeks of our stay and paid about £52 per night, plus taxes. However, you should take into consideration that we were near the high season, and are tier 3 Genius level on Booking.com, which gives us large discounts.

The Tizwa courtyard passed the vibe check

We stepped through the doors, and the staff greeted us with big smiles and a Moroccan tea ceremony. The contrast between the dusty street and the pristine interior is striking.

The central courtyard features a classic marble floor, bubbling water fountains, and tall green plants. It feels familiar and airy, with immense natural light pouring in from the open roof. When it rained that night, it wasn’t fun for the staff, who had to spend a long time cleaning the mess.

Having already stayed in coastal palaces like Riad Baladin in Essaouira, we immediately noticed the distinct historical Berber architecture here. It’s a totally different Riad feeling. In this Tizwa, they truly love including plants in interior design, which made our first impression excellent.

Also, the service feels unique and highly personalised for every guest. Even though the property was fully booked, the atmosphere remained incredibly quiet, even at breakfast when we were the last to get down, and our room was directly facing it.

Our Massive Room (And A Few Flaws)

We stayed on the first floor in a room that felt huge. I literally had to walk 20 feet between the incredibly comfortable bed and the bathroom area.

The staff provides a nightly turndown service between 6 and 7 PM, which adds a premium touch. Ale seriously debated taking the pillows for the rest of our road trip because they offered such great sleep.

However, we promised an honest review. We had a nice sofa area, opposite the window, almost near the bathroom area. The sofa was definitely not as comfortable as it looked. We ended up just using it to hold our bags.

However, the window is so huge that I could lie down, with my laptop, cushion at the back and reply to all pending emails accumulated during the road trip in Morocco. It ended up being a very solid workstation for the afternoon.

Bathroom details and complimentary touches

In the shower, we loved the authentic Moroccan details. They provide black soap, an Alum stone, and Ghassoul mud that creates a nice exfoliating effect when you moisten it with water. The amenity lids look so cute, with the top lid resembling a traditional Moroccan hat.

They also give guests a complimentary branded hat and bag to borrow. Ale took advantage of it to personalise our photos around the city, which made the stay feel memorable.

The Riad Tizwa Fes Breakfast Experience

The Riad Tizwa Fes breakfast is a major highlight of the stay. We spent our first morning eating on the rooftop, surrounded by greenery.

The sun got hot quickly, so we eventually moved to the covered area after half an hour.

We then spend some time on the rooftop. There is a lounge area with some private areas with a stunning view of the mountains surrounding the city. It was also wonderful to enjoy the blue hour from here.

On our second morning, we opted for breakfast served right in the courtyard. Eating next to the marble fountain under high ceiling doors gave us the exact aesthetic we wanted. Breakfast is traditional Moroccan, with Tagine, fresh baked bread, croissants, hot brewed coffee and mint tea.

Adding Value: Extras and Services

We stayed two nights here after spending our first two nights at Dar Jardin de Majorelle nearby. In the first place, we did laundry for just 50Dh, but parking the car caused us some safety anxiety.

Moving to Tizwa relieved that stress entirely. They also offer many services to make the stay memorable, which you can book directly with the staff.

You can hire a cultural guide for €50, book massages right in your room, or take a cooking class. These add-ons keep you from negotiating with random operators on the street. We ended up not taking it, because we had already visited the tanneries of Fes, knew the Medina alleys pretty well, and had also seen a few of the best viewpoints of Fes.

Is Riad Tizwa Fes worth it?

Is Riad Tizwa Fes worth it? Yes, Riad Tizwa Fes is absolutely worth it. We paid an honest mid-range rate for our stay, which firmly hits the sweet spot for exceptional value. You pay for a quiet and safe refuge, easy car access, and staff that treats you like a friend. This makes it the absolute best riad in Fes for first timers.

You skip the luggage nightmare but still wake up in a historic palace. If you want low-friction exploration without sacrificing authenticity, it is also the ideal Riad Tizwa Fes for couples.