Why go to Fez?
Fez – the oldest of Morocco’s four imperial cities – was founded in the 8th century. It was founded by Sultan Idris I and has been the capital of the country several times throughout its history. In the late 12th century, under the Almohad dynasty, Fez became one of the largest cities in the Islamic world. In its heyday, the city attracted scholars and philosophers, mathematicians and lawyers, astronomers and theologians from all over the world. It built opulent palaces and houses, mosques, and madrasas, and its bazaars were filled with merchants selling exotic goods from Asia and Africa. Today, with just over a million inhabitants, it is Morocco’s second-largest city. Fez’s medina is protected by UNESCO as a vast open-air museum and is still home to around 90 000 people. While some visitors are intimidated by the chaos and maze of narrow streets, others fall in love at first sight. From the dimness of the narrow streets, you suddenly find yourself in beautiful squares with cinema alleys, bazaars offering fragrant street food, hundreds of minarets visible from terraces on the roofs of houses, and artisans’ workshops hidden behind invisible doors, making real works of art.
The city is divided into 3 parts, built in different periods.
1) Fes el-Bali (ancient Fes) – the first walled medina, built in the 8th century by the Idris dynasty.
The first Fes el-Bali was founded in the early 16th century and is now the largest pedestrian street in the world, where life has remained virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages. There are famous tanneries and bazaars, beautiful madrasas, and hundreds of mosques. Traditional culture and local crafts have been preserved: painted ceramics and carpet weaving, Zellige mosaics and woodcarving, blacksmithing and relief carving.
2) Fes el-Jdid (New Fes) – another walled medina built in the 13th century, merinids.
3) Ville Nouvel (New Town) – a modern district built on a European scale during the French protectorate. Here you will find wide boulevards, colonial buildings, and cafés where you can enjoy a coffee and croissant.
Fez is known as the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco, the birthplace of many Sufi movements and the mausoleum of Sheikh Tijani in Fez attracts pilgrims from all over the Maghreb and West Africa. It is home to the oldest university in the world, Al Qaraouine, and one of the most important centers of religious education in the Muslim world.
In contrast to the noisy tourist destination of Marrakech, Fez has preserved its history and medieval spirit, and a walk through the streets of the medina will transport you back in time, far from modern civilization.
When is the best time to visit Fez?
Morocco’s spiritual capital is best visited between March and May and September and November. In spring, the plains and fields surrounding the city are a delight to the eye with their lush greenery and brilliant flowers. In winter, the weather in the region can be rainy, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Temperatures can drop a few degrees below freezing at night, so it’s important to book a hotel with heating. In Fez, the summer is hot and dry, with temperatures of 35-40 degrees Celsius or higher, and in June the city hosts a unique sacred music festival, where you can hear not only Sufi songs and traditional Andalusian music from northern Morocco but also ethnic music from Africa, Asia and around the world.
the attraction of Fez?
Places to visit in Fez The main attraction of Fez is the old town itself, with its narrow streets, bazaars, and craft workshops. In the heart of the city, you will find the University and the Qaraouin Mosque, the mausoleum of the city’s founder, Moulay Idriss II, the madrasa, and the tannery. Finding your way around the labyrinth of Medina is no easy task, so it is best to hire a local guide. In the old town of Fez, the medina should be explored for at least half a day. After lunch, you can explore the second medina (Fes el-Jdid), walk around the Jewish quarter and admire the golden gates of the Royal Palace. At the end of the day, you can enjoy the sunset and the panoramic view of the Old City from the observation deck of the Meridian Towers. On the second day in Fes, you can take a self-guided photo tour, shop in the medina, take a Fesian handicraft course, learn the basics of Moroccan cooking or relax in a hammam. You can also make day trips around the city: to the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis, to the Third Empire city of Meknes, to the ski resort of Ifrane, known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”, or to a winery to taste the best local wines.
What to do in Fes?
10 ways to have fun in Morocco’s ancient royal city
1. Get lost in the medina
The medina of Fez is divided into the “old” medina of the 8th century and the “new” medina of the 13th century. It is the largest medieval Arab city in the world. It is estimated that there are over 9,000 unnamed streets and about 40,000 cul-de-sacs. Maps are useless here and the chance of getting lost is 100%. Walking through the medina of Fez is a real pleasure because, unlike the medina of Marrakech, there are no motorcycles. If you dare to explore it without a guide, don’t be afraid. For a small fee, the locals will be happy to show you the way!
2. Go to a tanning salon.
Even if you’re short on time, this is probably the first place you should check out in town. Tanning using medieval techniques is a unique process that you can only see here. Be prepared for this colorful scene to be an olfactory challenge as the smell of rawhide is complemented by the “smell” of cow urine and pigeon droppings used to soften the skin.
3. Take a look inside the artisan’s workshop.
Fez is famous for its handicrafts: leather garments, faience, mosaics, reliefs, etc. Visit several workshops in the medina to see the artisans at work and learn how they create stunningly beautiful pieces. Don’t forget to thank the artisans with a tip. If you want, you can attend one of the master classes and take home the results of your work.
4. Try the cuisine of Fes.
The cuisine of Fez is characterized by a combination of savory and sweet flavors. Typical dishes of Fez are. Lamb with caramelized onions, tomatoes and sultanas, and Pastilla, a crispy layered chicken tart with almonds, cinnamon, and sugar. At street stalls, you can try fried brioche with sweet or savory fillings and pizza soup with beans and cumin oil, typical of northern Morocco. A traditional treat in Fes is the Chebbakia cookie, fried in oil, dipped in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. You don’t have to go far to taste the cuisine of Fes. You can order traditional home-cooked meals directly to your table.
5. Visit the henna market In the center of the medina,
there is a small square with two sycamore trees in the middle. henna has been sold here for centuries. Today, you can buy henna not only in leaf or powder form, but also other Moroccan cosmetics and medicinal products. These include black soap and ghassoul clay, various herbs and powders, stones and incense. There are also many ceramics and other handicrafts for sale. If you come in the morning or evening when there are no tourists, you can observe the life of the locals over coffee in a street café.
6. Watch the sunset overlooking the medina.
At the end of a busy day, there’s nothing better than taking a break and watching the sunset over the old city from the observation deck while wandering through the bazaars, madrassas and museums of the Medina. One of the best panoramic views is from the Meridian Mausoleum on the hill overlooking the Old City. With a glass of wine in hand, you can enjoy the sunset from the terrace of the restaurant of the luxurious Palais Faraj 5* Hotel L’Amandier. Here, you can enjoy traditional Faisal dishes with a breathtaking view of the city.
7. Go shopping The market in Fez is one of the richest in Morocco.
Take home a leather armchair, a blue and black vase from Fez, or an embossed tray. At the ART NAJI arts and crafts complex, you can see ceramics and mosaics being made and find a wide variety of finished products. You can even order mosaics made here and have them delivered to your country. Read our article on souvenirs brought back from Morocco.
8. Jnan Sbili Garden Walk.
Located between Bab Bujlud Gate and the Jewish quarter of Mera, Jnan Sbili Garden is one of the few public parks in the city and is an inviting place to spend time. The garden is watered by a river and canals and has a large pond in the south. more than 3,000 species of plants adorn the garden, which is divided into different areas.
9. Go to the thermal spring.
A 30-minute drive from Fes is the town of Moulay Yacoub, famous for its thermal springs. Their healing waters are believed to cure rheumatism, skin diseases, and throat and nose problems. The water in the springs is very hot (54 degrees) and has a high sulfur content.
Today you can enjoy spa treatments at the springs at the modern Vichy Thermal Spa. A ticket to the thermal pool for the whole day will cost 200 dirhams.
Vichy Spa Hotel in Moulay Yacoub.
Opened in 2018, this hotel and spa are located in Moulay Yacoub, amidst picturesque green hills, a 20-minute drive from Fes. 6,000 square meters, you can order both a la carte services (use of the thermal pools, massages, hydrotherapy, and other health and beauty treatments) and comprehensive multi-day treatments using the Vichy method program.
At your service: outdoor pool and air bath, hydromassage, steam room, 2 spa pools (one for women only), and various types of massages.
The spa uses Vichy brand cosmetics, as well as high-quality natural Moroccan cosmetics from the MarocMaroc brand.
10. Go to Clock Café
Popular with foreigners and local intellectual youth, this café, located near Talaa Kebira, the city’s main shopping street, offers an interesting mix of Moroccan and European cultures. Here you can enjoy camel burgers, potato wedges with ras el Hanout and interesting vegetarian dishes. The cafe’s landscaped terrace is a pleasant place to gather with friends for a refreshing cocktail or mint tea. Almost every evening, Cafe Clock offers live music, storytelling performances, movies, and other cultural programs. Our tours From Fes.