Best Places to Work From in Fes: A Remote Worker's Guide

If you are searching for the best places to work from in Fes, you will quickly realize that this ancient imperial city has quietly become one of North Africa's most compelling destinations for remote workers who want more than a generic co-working desk. I have spent the better part of three years working from cafes, riads, and dedicated workspaces across the medina and the Ville Nouvelle, and what I can tell you is that Fes rewards the patient explorer. The remote work cafes Fes now offers range from tucked-away courtyard riads with fiber internet to modern coworking spots in the newer districts, and each one carries the unmistakable character of a city that has been a center of learning and craftsmanship since the ninth century.

The Medina's Quiet Corners: Laptop Friendly Cafes Fes Offers in the Old City

1. Cafe Clock (Clock Cultural Center), Talaa Kebira

I walked into Cafe Clock on a Tuesday morning last week, the same way I have dozens of times before, and the place still surprises me. Perched on the edge of Talaa Kebira, the main artery of the Fes el-Bali medina, this place occupies a beautifully restored funduq, a former merchant inn that once hosted traders crossing the Sahara. The ground floor cafe serves as a cultural center, and the rooftop terrace gives you a panoramic view of the medina's rooftops and the Kairaouine minaret in the distance. Order the camel burger, which sounds gimmicky until you actually taste it, spiced with cumin and harissa and served on a fresh brioche. The mint tea here is also worth ordering just for the ritual of it, poured from a height into a small glass with a sprig of fresh mint. The best time to work from here is between 9 and 11 in the morning, before the lunch crowd floods in and the noise level makes video calls impossible. Most tourists come here for the famous camel burger and leave, but the second floor has a small library and reading room that almost nobody uses, and it is the quietest spot in the entire building.

Local Insider Tip: "Ask the staff to let you use the back room on the second floor. It has two power outlets, a small table, and almost zero foot traffic. I have spent entire afternoons there without being disturbed."

The connection to Fes's history here is tangible. The building itself dates back to the Marinid period, and the Clock mechanism on display is one of the oldest water clocks in Morocco. Working from this spot, you are literally sitting inside a piece of living history, surrounded by zellige tilework and carved cedar that artisans have been perfecting for centuries.

One honest complaint: the Wi-Fi signal on the rooftop drops out whenever the wind picks up, which happens frequently in the afternoons. If you have a deadline, stay on the ground floor or in that back room I mentioned.

Modern Workspaces in the Ville Nouvelle: Fes Coworking Spots That Actually Deliver

2. The Spot, Avenue Hassan II

The Spot is the closest thing Fes has to a modern, purpose-built coworking space, and it sits right on Avenue Hassan II in the Ville Nouvelle, the French-built new town. I have been a member on and off for about a year now, and what keeps me coming back is the reliability. The internet is fiber, consistently hitting 50 Mbps down, the desks are proper height-adjustable workstations, and there is a small meeting room you can book for client calls. The space is open from 8:30 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, and they offer daily, weekly, and monthly passes. A daily pass runs about 150 dirhams, which is reasonable for what you get. The coffee is basic but functional, and there is a small kitchen area where you can heat up food. The best time to come is mid-morning, around 10 AM, when the early birds have settled in and before the after-lunch crowd arrives.

Local Insider Tip: "If you are only in Fes for a week, ask for the 'nomad rate' at the front desk. They do not advertise it, but they offer a small discount for remote workers staying longer than five days."

The Spot represents a newer side of Fes, one that is often overlooked by visitors who only see the medina. The Ville Nouvelle was built during the French protectorate in the early twentieth century, and working here gives you a sense of how Fes is evolving. The neighborhood around Avenue Hassan II has a growing number of small businesses, bookshops, and restaurants that cater to a younger, more internationally minded crowd.

The downside is that the space can feel a bit sterile compared to the medina's warmth. If you need ambient noise or visual inspiration to work, this might feel too much like an office. Also, parking on Avenue Hassan II is genuinely terrible after noon, so plan to walk or take a petit taxi.

3. L'Atelier, Rue Mohammed El Hayani

L'Atelier is a hybrid space, part art gallery, part cafe, part informal coworking spot, tucked into a side street off Rue Mohammed El Hayani in the Ville Nouvelle. I discovered it almost by accident about eighteen months ago when I was looking for somewhere quieter than The Spot to finish a writing project. The interior is all white walls, exposed brick, and rotating art exhibitions from local Moroccan artists. There are about six tables suitable for laptop work, and the Wi-Fi is decent, though not as fast as The Spot. What makes L'Atelier special is the atmosphere. It feels creative in a way that most workspaces in Fes do not. Order the avocado toast, which is surprisingly good here, or the fresh-squeezed orange juice. The best time to visit is weekday afternoons, between 2 and 5 PM, when the space is at its quietest.

Local Insider Tip: "On the first Saturday of every month, L'Atelier hosts an artist talk or small exhibition opening. If your timing works out, go. It is one of the best ways to meet Fes's creative community, and the conversations over wine and olives afterward are worth more than any networking event."

This place connects to Fes's long tradition of craftsmanship and artistry. The medina's tanneries, woodworkers, and zellige artisans are world-famous, and L'Atelier channels that same spirit into a contemporary context. The artists who show here are often drawing on centuries of Moroccan visual tradition, and you can see that influence in the work on the walls.

One thing to know: the space is small, and if all six tables are taken, there is nowhere else to go. I have been turned away on busy Saturday mornings, so if you need a guaranteed spot, weekdays are your safest bet.

Hidden Gems in the Medina: Remote Work Cafes Fes Hides in Plain Sight

4. Riad Laayoun, Derb El Miter

Riad Laayoun is not a cafe in the traditional sense, but it has become one of my favorite places to work when I need absolute silence and zero distractions. Located on Derb El Miter, a narrow alley in the heart of the medina, this restored riad offers a courtyard workspace that is open to non-guests for a small fee, around 50 dirhams, which includes a drink. The courtyard is shaded by orange trees, the only sound is the fountain in the center, and the Wi-Fi, while not fiber-fast, is stable enough for email, writing, and video calls. I spent an entire week here last March working on a guidebook, and I was more productive than I have been in months. Order the homemade lemonade with mint, which the housekeeper makes fresh each morning. The best time to come is early, right when they open around 9 AM, because the courtyard only has four or five workable spots.

Local Insider Tip: "Tell the riad manager you are a writer or remote worker. They have a small room off the courtyard with a proper desk and a power strip that they only offer to people who ask. It is their unofficial 'office,' and I have never seen another person use it."

This riad is a perfect example of how Fes's traditional architecture was designed for comfort and contemplation. The thick walls keep the interior cool in summer, the courtyard creates natural ventilation, and the orientation of the building maximizes shade during the hottest parts of the day. Working here, you understand why Moroccan riads have been the standard for domestic architecture for over a thousand years.

The obvious limitation is that this is not a full-service workspace. There is no printer, no meeting room, and the internet will not handle large file uploads gracefully. But for focused, solitary work, it is unmatched.

5. Cafe Morocco, Place Nejjarine

Cafe Morocco sits on the edge of Place Nejjarine, one of the most beautiful squares in the medina, directly across from the Nejjarine Funduq, a thirteenth-century merchant inn that now houses a museum of wooden arts and crafts. I have been coming here on and off for years, and it remains one of the most atmospheric places to work in Fes. The terrace overlooks the square, and from your seat you can watch the daily rhythm of the medina unfold, vendors setting up, schoolchildren walking home, the call to prayer echoing off the surrounding buildings. The food is solid Moroccan fare, tagine, pastilla, fresh salads, and the coffee is strong. Order the pastilla if you have not had it before; it is a sweet-savory pastry filled with pigeon or chicken, almonds, and cinnamon that is one of Fes's signature dishes. The best time to work from here is late morning, between 10 AM and 1 PM, before the lunch rush.

Local Insider Tip: "Sit at the far-left table on the terrace. It is the only one with a power outlet nearby, and it gets the best afternoon shade. I have been sitting at that table for two years, and the waiters know me by name."

Place Nejjarine itself is a UNESCO-protected site, and the funduq across the square is considered one of the finest examples of Marinid-era architecture in Morocco. Working from Cafe Morocco, you are immersed in a living heritage site, and the sense of history is palpable. The square has been a center of commerce and craftsmanship since the medieval period, and the woodworkers and artisans who still operate in the surrounding alleys are carrying on traditions that date back centuries.

My one real complaint: the service can be painfully slow when the terrace is full. If you are on a deadline and need to order food or drinks quickly, come during off-peak hours or be prepared to wait.

The Tanneries District: Working Near Fes's Most Iconic Industry

6. Terrasse des Tanneurs, Chouara Tannery Area

The Terrasse des Tanneurs is a rooftop cafe that overlooks the Chouara Tannery, the largest and oldest of Fes's three tanneries, where leather has been dyed and processed using essentially the same methods since the eleventh century. I will be honest with you: working from here is not primarily about the workspace. The Wi-Fi is unreliable, the seating is basic, and the smell from the tannery below can be overwhelming if you are not used to it. But the view is extraordinary, and there is something about watching the tanners at work, standing waist-deep in stone vats of dye, that puts your own work into perspective. Order a mint tea and a plate of msemen, the layered Moroccan flatbread, and just take it in. The best time to visit is mid-morning, between 10 and 11:30 AM, when the light is good and the tannery is at its most active.

Local Insider Tip: "Bring a sprig of mint or a small piece of fresh herbs to hold under your nose if the smell bothers you. The tanneries give out sprigs at the viewing platforms, but the rooftop cafe does not always have them. Also, the owner will let you use a small back room with a desk if the terrace is too crowded or smelly. Just ask."

The Chouara Tannery is one of the oldest continuously operating industrial sites in the world, and it is directly connected to Fes's identity as a center of craftsmanship and trade. The leather produced here supplies the medina's hundreds of shops and workshops, and the techniques used have been passed down through generations. Working near this place, even briefly, gives you a visceral understanding of what makes Fes different from every other city in Morocco.

Fair warning: this is not a place for a full workday. The combination of smell, noise, and spotty internet makes it unsuitable for extended sessions. But for a morning of emails and a dose of perspective, it is unforgettable.

The University Quarter: Laptop Friendly Cafes Fes Students Swear By

7. Various Cafes around Universite Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Route d'Imouzzer

The area around the main campus of Universite Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, along Route d'Imouzzer, is packed with small, no-frills cafes that cater to students. These are not Instagram-worthy spaces. They are fluorescent-lit, tiled-floor establishments with plastic chairs and laminated menus. But they have something that many of Fes's more polished cafes do not: fast, free Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets, and a tolerance for people who sit for four hours ordering a single coffee. My favorite is a place I will call Cafe Universitaire, though its actual name changes every few years as ownership shifts. It is on the main road, about 200 meters from the campus gate. The coffee is 7 dirhams, the Wi-Fi password is written on a piece of tape near the register, and the owner does not care if you camp out all day. The best time to come is during the academic year, between October and May, when the student energy keeps the place alive but not overwhelming.

Local Insider Tip: "Go to the cafes on the side streets, not the main road. They are quieter, cheaper, and the owners are more likely to let you use a corner table for hours. Look for places with extension cords visible, that is a good sign they are laptop-friendly."

This area connects to Fes's identity as a university city. The University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 CE, is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating university in the world, and the modern university campus carries on that legacy. Working in the student cafes around the campus, you are participating in a tradition of scholarship and intellectual life that stretches back over a millennium.

The obvious downside is that these cafes are not comfortable by any modern standard. The chairs are hard, the lighting is harsh, and the food options are limited to basic sandwiches and pastries. But if you need to grind out work on a budget, this area is hard to beat.

The Ville Nouvelle's Best Kept Secret: A Coworking Spot Worth the Walk

8. Bivouac, Boulevard Allal El Fassi

Bivouac is a concept store, cafe, and informal workspace on Boulevard Allal El Fassi, in a part of the Ville Nouvelle that most tourists never visit. I found it about a year ago when I was wandering the neighborhood looking for a change of scenery from my usual spots. The space is bright, airy, and decorated with a mix of Moroccan and Scandinavian design, think clean lines, natural wood, and a few well-placed Berber textiles. There are about eight tables suitable for laptop work, the Wi-Fi is reliable, and the coffee is among the best in Fes. They serve a proper flat white, which is still rare in this city, and their pastry selection includes both Moroccan and French options. Order the almond ghriba cookie with your coffee; it is made in-house and is genuinely excellent. The best time to work from here is weekday mornings, between 9 AM and noon, before the lunch crowd arrives.

Local Insider Tip: "Bivouac has a small outdoor patio in the back that most people do not know about. It is shaded, quiet, and has two power outlets. I have worked there on summer afternoons when the interior was full, and it was perfect."

Bivouac represents a new wave in Fes's cultural life, one that blends Moroccan tradition with contemporary global aesthetics. The concept store sells locally made goods, ceramics, textiles, and leather products, all sourced from Fes-area artisans. Working here, you are supporting a business that is actively trying to bridge the gap between the medina's craft traditions and a modern, design-conscious market.

One thing to note: Bivouac is not open on Sundays. I have made the mistake of showing up on a Sunday more than once, and the closed door is always a disappointment. Plan your week accordingly.

When to Go and What to Know About Working Remotely in Fes

Fes is not Marrakech. It does not have the same density of coworking spaces or the same tourist infrastructure, and that is precisely what makes it appealing to a certain kind of remote worker. The internet across the city has improved dramatically in the past five years, and most cafes and workspaces in the Ville Nouvelle now offer reliable Wi-Fi. The medina is more hit-or-miss, but the places I have listed above are all confirmed to have workable connections. Power outages are rare but not unheard of, so carrying a portable charger is wise. The best months for working in Fes are October through April, when the weather is mild and the city is at its most pleasant. Summer, particularly July and August, can be brutally hot, and many medina buildings lack air conditioning. If you are planning an extended stay, look for accommodation in the Ville Nouvelle or in a medina riad that specifically advertises good Wi-Fi. Expect to pay between 300 and 600 dirhams per night for a decent riad room with reliable internet.

The cost of working from cafes in Fes is low by European or North American standards. A coffee costs between 7 and 20 dirhams, a full meal at a medina cafe runs 40 to 80 dirhams, and coworking day passes range from 100 to 200 dirhams. You can comfortably work from Fes for a daily budget of 500 to 800 dirhams, including accommodation, food, and workspace costs.

One final piece of advice: learn a few words of Moroccan Darija. The effort is noticed and appreciated, and it will make your interactions with cafe owners, riad managers, and fellow workers significantly smoother. "Shukran" for thank you, "afak" for please, and "wash kayn Wi-Fi?" for is there Wi-Fi, will get you a long way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the average internet download and upload speeds in Fes's central cafes and workspaces?

In the Ville Nouvelle, fiber connections are increasingly common, and download speeds at dedicated coworking spaces typically range from 30 to 80 Mbps. In the medina, speeds are more variable, usually between 10 and 30 Mbps at the better-equipped cafes, though some riad-based workspaces may drop below 10 Mbps during peak usage hours. Upload speeds across the city generally range from 5 to 20 Mbps.

How easy is it to find cafes with ample charging sockets and reliable power backups in Fes?

In the Ville Nouvelle, most modern cafes and coworking spaces have multiple charging sockets and some form of backup power. In the medina, it is more inconsistent. Only about half of the cafes I have visited have easily accessible power outlets, and backup generators are rare. Carrying a portable power bank is recommended, especially for medina-based work sessions.

What is the most reliable neighborhood in Fes for digital nomads and remote workers?

The Ville Nouvelle, particularly the area around Avenue Hassan II and Boulevard Allal El Fassi, is the most reliable neighborhood for remote work. Internet infrastructure is better, coworking spaces are concentrated there, and the concentration of cafes with laptop-friendly setups is higher than anywhere else in the city. The medina offers more atmosphere but less consistency.

Are there good 24/7 or late-night co-working spaces available in Fes?

Fes does not currently have any dedicated 24/7 coworking spaces. Most coworking spots and laptop-friendly cafes close between 9 PM and 11 PM. A few cafes in the Ville Nouvelle stay open until midnight, but they are not designed for serious late-night work. For after-hours work, a hotel room or riad with reliable Wi-Fi is the most practical option.

Is Fes expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier daily budget in Fes breaks down roughly as follows: accommodation in a riad or small hotel costs 300 to 600 dirhams per night, meals at local cafes and restaurants run 100 to 200 dirhams per day, a coworking day pass or cafe workspace costs 50 to 150 dirhams, and local transportation, mostly petit taxis, adds another 30 to 60 dirhams. Altogether, a comfortable mid-tier daily budget is approximately 500 to 1,000 dirhams, or roughly 50 to 100 US dollars.