What's the biggest scam to avoid in Fez?

The Chouara Tannery 'free balcony view' setup — a 'free guide' leads you to a leather shop above the dyeing pits where the balcony is 'free to use' and then you face 20-30 minutes of high-pressure leather sales at 3-10x fair price. Either decline and walk on, or offer a 20-30 MAD viewing fee upfront and refuse purchases. The wider faux-guide pattern is the same across the medina: 'come, I show you, free' followed by commission-shop steering and a 100-300 MAD demand. Polite firm 'la, shukran' and keep walking. Other recurring ones: unrequested henna application, 'closed for festival' redirects, and the scripted 'owner's son who happens to speak your language' carpet pitch.

Common Tourist Scams in Fez (and How to Avoid Them)

By The Kakapo Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-05-06 · Part of the Fez safety guide

Chouara Tannery — the scam pattern

Chouara Tannery: the iconic colourful dyeing pits. Photographable from balconies of leather shops above.
The pattern: a "free guide" leads you to a leather shop where the balcony is "free to use". You're then expected (with significant pressure) to buy a leather goods item; prices are 3-10× fair value with deep "discounts" applied.
To see the tannery without obligation: ask for a 20-30 MAD ($2-3) "viewing fee" upfront if you don't want to buy. Some shops accept this; others won't let you leave easily.
If you do want leather: bargain hard. Start at 30% of asking; settle around 50%. Quality varies.
Smell: sulphurous tannery odor is intense. Mint sprig is offered at the door; hold to nose.
Nearby Sidi Moussa Tannery: smaller, less touristy.

Other scams and tourist hassles

"Free henna": women apply henna unrequested then demand 200+ MAD.
"Photo of my snake / monkey": common in Marrakech less in Fez but happens. 50 MAD demanded after.
"Closed for festival, come tomorrow": tourist redirect to commission shops.
Carpet-shop pressure: very high. Don't enter unless ready to negotiate hard or buy.
Begging children: organised. Don't give cash; donate to legitimate orgs (Fondation Mohammed V).
Shop "owner's son" who happens to speak your language: scripted.

FAQ

What's the biggest scam to avoid in Fez?: The Chouara Tannery 'free balcony view' setup — a 'free guide' leads you to a leather shop above the dyeing pits where the balcony is 'free to use' and then you face 20-30 minutes of high-pressure leather sales at 3-10x fair price. Either decline and walk on, or offer a 20-30 MAD viewing fee upfront and refuse purchases. The wider faux-guide pattern is the same across the medina: 'come, I show you, free' followed by commission-shop steering and a 100-300 MAD demand. Polite firm 'la, shukran' and keep walking. Other recurring ones: unrequested henna application, 'closed for festival' redirects, and the scripted 'owner's son who happens to speak your language' carpet pitch.

Read the full Fez safety guide — score breakdown, every neighbourhood, all 4 sources →

Live Fez safety score (updates daily) →

Sources

Scores are the Kakapo Safety Index — compiled from government travel advisories and public crime, health and transit data. All data sources.