What is Fes like in May?

May in Fes is warm, golden and culturally rich. Daytime temperatures climb to the high twenties, the skies are reliably clear, and the long evenings are perfect for rooftop dinners as the call to prayer drifts across the medina. It is the last of the true spring months before summer heat takes hold, so you get warmth without yet feeling baked — though by late May the midday sun in the open squares is strong enough that you will want shade and water.

The headline event is the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, which usually opens in late May (sometimes spilling into early June). For more than two decades this has drawn musicians and audiences from across the globe, with concerts in the Bab al-Makina courtyard, intimate Sufi nights in the medina, and performances in palaces and gardens. If you are even slightly drawn to music, timing a trip to the festival turns a Fes visit into something unforgettable — but it also fills the city, so accommodation must be booked far in advance.

Outside festival dates, May is simply a beautiful, high-season month. The countryside is still green but starting to gild as the wheat ripens, the storks are busy on the walls, and day trips to Volubilis, Meknes, Sefrou or the Middle Atlas are at their best. The medina is lively and the artisan quarters are in full swing. Crowds and prices are high, so early starts and a knowledgeable guide pay off, letting you reach the madrasas and tanneries before the groups.

Pack for warmth: breathable clothing, a sun hat, sunscreen and water, plus a light layer for the pleasant evenings. If you come for the festival, book everything early and pace yourself between concerts and medina exploration. Whether you come for the music or just the weather, May is one of the standout months to experience Fes at its most alive.