The 11 things to do in Fès

Visit Fees: what are the best things to do and see in the cultural capital of Morocco?

The big cities of Morocco has an extremely rich history, a past that can seduce all generations but also a cosmopolitan life that attracts more and more tourists. Very often depicted as the cultural capital of Morocco, the city of Fez charms by its architectural, historical and intellectual heritage. Note that in 1980 the city received approval and obtained the rank of UNESCO World Heritage proving the vigor and dynamism of this city to preserve its history and identity.

Visiting Fez in these conditions, whether you’re an amateur in art or a simple tourist, it’s making a jump in the past at a few hours from France: walking around the winding streets of the medina, losing in the souks, admiring the finesse of the details of the Karaouiyne Mosque, walking along the fortifications of the city... So many discoveries will enchant you.

Fez is a very modern city in which you will find easily to stay but also to entertain you. For those who love visits, cultural and historical discovery, to water this thirst for learning, the city is full of curiosities, museums, monuments that are very well preserved. But to understand the subtleties and penetrate the unique atmosphere of the city, here are some places to visit and a list (non-exhaustive) of things to do in Fez.

1. The medina

Discovering the medina is an adventure in itself because it does not reveal itself to the rushed traveler. It is necessary to learn to appreciate this place, to understand its codes, to be carried by the cries, the smells, the heat that emerge from all the clusters. We have to be ready for the unforeseen. The Fez medina is part of UNESCO’s world heritage because it is the oldest university in the Muslim world. The main sites of the medina to visit date back to the 13th and 15th century and are medersa, palace, mosques and fountains.

2. Leather tanners

It’s a unique category in the souks, the leather tanners don’t leave anyone indifferent, especially because of the incredible smell of their workshop. For those who are not accustomed, this smell can be pestilential. But when you get out of the workshop, you will be offered a mint drink to mask (lightly) the smell. A difficult job to discover to understand. Discover traditional tanneries of Fez .

3. Les fondouks

It is important to know that the meltuk is a caravanserail: it is a floor building that was designed around a square courtyard. The one in Fez is worth a look because it now houses many workshops.

4. The souks

The souk of the Fez has existed for hundreds of years and it seems to have changed very little. That’s what makes its old charm, which makes it so enduring. As Fez is a city of craftsmanship, his souk is packed with craftsmen who compete with ingenuity and know-how in the memories to be brought back, such as pottery, ceramics or jewelry. Don’t forget to go on a tour of the dyes, obligatory change!

5. The Karaouiyne Mosque

This university, the oldest in the Arab world, was founded in 859 of our era. Although the entry is prohibited to non-Muslims, it remains a high spiritual place today. Discover its exteriors and details that decorate its walls, 270 columns and 24 doors that ring an inner courtyard.

6. The medersas

A medersa is an old Koranic school that serves as a boarding school for students. In Fez, they are numerous and all also prestigious, especially at the level of their decorations. See the medersa Attarine (picture) in front of the Karaouiyne Mosque. It is surely one of the most refined medersas in the Muslim world where lovers of calligraphy but also mosaics and marquetry will be able to enjoy their impressed eyes. There is also the medersa Bou Inania: a very impressive medersa by its size, surely one of the most refined buildings in the city. Another medersa to discover is the medersa Seffarine which is the oldest in Fez since it was designed in 1280. Its decoration recalls the traditional houses of Morocco.

7. The doors of the medina

Two large doors are available to you when you want to go inside the medina, it is the Bab Bou Djeloud (photo) door and the Bab Dekatène door. Bab Bou Djeloud is the main door that corresponds to the official entrance of the medina and the other door, with its castle looks, is a place where criminals were then judged during the Middle Ages.

8. Seffarine square

In this place there are many craftsmen who work copper to make teapots, trays, burn-perfums, while others, boilers are established here to develop pots, buckets and various containers. A craft not to be missed.

9. The Royal Palace

It is the oldest palace in Morocco and surely the most important. Built in the 14th century, it is called Dar El Makhzen. With its 80 hectares, it was built outside the old medina, it is now located near the Jewish quarter and the Mellah. Even if the visits are not allowed, you have to go there to discover its gigantic esplanade where you can discover large bronze doors that are framed with ceramic tiles. The doors are 7 as many days in the week as well as levels in the Moroccan monarchy.

10. Dar Batha Palace and Museum

The palace was built by Hassan 1st because it was eager to bring together the two cities that make up Fez, namely Fez-el-Baki and Fez-el-Djedid. This palace was then transformed into a handicrafts museum where you can discover pottery and ceramics of the 13th century but also embroidery, medieval jewelry. Don’t forget to take pictures of the richly decorated portals and the huge padlocks that close the doors for the night.

11. Other ideas of visits to Fès

Finally, Fez has a magnificent fountain called the Nejjarine fountain which is located near the carpenters’ souk and dates back to the 18th century. To see for the richness of its mosaics!

The mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II is the 2nd sacred site of all Morocco. It's closed to non-Muslims. Moulay Idriss II was the founder of the city of Fez.

Finally, the Mellah district is to be discovered: it is the old Jewish quarter that still bears witness to an incredible historical richness and an impressive cultural knowledge.

Fez : How to get there? Where to sleep?

Getting to Fez is both easy and cheap. The low-cost Ryanair airline operates direct flights from Nîmes, Marseille, Paris (Beauvais), Nantes, Saint-Etienne and Dole Tavaux, and Air Arabia Maroc offers a departure from Montpellier. In addition, Royal Air Maroc and Transavia also offers flights from Paris Orly. There are also companies with flights with stopover. To find the best flight for your travel dates in Fès, do not hesitate to use the site Ulysses .

Whether you’re looking for an authentic riad and charm or a cheap hotel in Fez, you’ll find the location and price of the best accommodations by searching for this Wanderlix hotel comparison . For localization, don’t hesitate to take a look at our article in which we have selected for you the best areas where to stay in Fès.

Have you visited Fez?