Fez vs Luxor

Fez

Fez has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The city sits at 410 m elevation in an inland valley, making summers hotter and winters colder than coastal Moroccan cities. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant temperatures.

Luxor

Luxor has a hot desert climate and is one of the hottest, driest cities in the world. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 40C, while winters are mild and pleasant. Rain is extremely rare — the city averages less than 1mm per year.

Fez

The medina is entirely pedestrian (and donkey). Getting around Fes el-Bali is exclusively on foot. For travel between the medina, Ville Nouvelle (new town), and other areas, petit taxis (red Fiats) are cheap and plentiful.

Walkability: The medina is exclusively pedestrian but extremely uneven — cobblestones, steep stairs, and drainage channels require sturdy shoes. The Ville Nouvelle is walkable and flat with sidewalks. Walking between the medina and Ville Nouvelle takes about 20-30 minutes along Avenue Hassan II.

Luxor

Luxor is divided by the Nile into the East Bank (modern city, temples) and the West Bank (tombs, mortuary temples). Crossing between them requires a ferry, bridge, or boat. Most visitors hire a taxi or join a tour for the West Bank sites.

Walkability: The East Bank corniche and central town are walkable, with Luxor Temple, the souq, and the Luxor Museum all within comfortable walking distance. The West Bank sites are too spread out for walking — you'll need transport. Carry water at all times.