Match-ups
Fes vs Cairo
For: Old-city and Islamic heritage lovers
Two of the great medieval Islamic cities: Fes el-Bali and Historic Cairo are both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Fes4Cairo2
7 rounds. Numbers come with their sources under each round; the scores out of 5 are our own take. Draws count for no one.
Round 1
Getting there
Average return fare from London (Kayak), with flight times
Fes£135 return3.2 h non-stop from London, no non-stop from Dubai. Average return fare: £135 from London (to FEZ)
Cairo£482 return5 h non-stop from London, 4.2 h from Dubai. Average return from Dubai: AED 1,880 (to CAI)
Fes is the cheaper trip from London.
Sources
kayak.co.ukkayak.co.ukkayak.aeChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 2
Cost of a day
Average spend per traveller per day (budgetyourtrip.com), in US dollars
FesUS$ 92 a day
CairoUS$ 32 a day
Cairo is cheaper: about 65% less a day.
Sources
budgetyourtrip.combudgetyourtrip.comChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 3
Weather
Average daytime high, °C
FesFesJan16°Apr22°Jul35.1°Oct26.1°
CairoCairoJan18.9°Apr28.1°Jul35°Oct30°
Both are hot in summer. Cairo is warmer in winter; Fes is best in spring and autumn.
Sources
en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 4
Visa
For UK, EU and US passports; check yours on the official page
FesNo visa for UK, EU and US passports, up to 90 days
CairoVisa on arrival (US$25) or an e-visa before you fly
Fes: the easiest door.
Sources
gov.ukgov.ukChecked 2026-11-14.
Round 5
Heritage
Our take, scored out of 5
Fes4 / 5Al-Qarawiyyin, the madrasas, the tanneries, a car-free medina
Cairo5 / 5Al-Azhar, Islamic Cairo, and the pyramids of Giza
Cairo: the pyramids are the pyramids.
Round 6
Walking the old city
Our take, scored out of 5
Fes5 / 5More than 9,000 lanes, no cars, crafts in every street
Cairo3 / 5Busy streets and traffic around the old city
Fes: the best preserved medieval city to walk.
Round 7
Crowds and hustle
Our take, scored out of 5
Fes3 / 5Self-styled guides at the gates
Cairo2 / 5Persistent touts at the big sites
Fes, a little.
The verdict
Cairo wins on the wonders. Fes wins as a living medieval city you can lose yourself in.
Fes4Cairo2
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