Morocco

1. Get lost in the medina of Fez

The medina of Fez (Fes el Bali) is the oldest and largest in North Africa, dating back to the 9th century! Because of its historical significance and cultural importance, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is easy to understand why once you see how well the old charms of the medina have been preserved. Discover the beginnings of Fez by wandering through its thousands of alleys and enjoying the largest car-free city in the world!

It’s easy to get lost in the narrow streets, something we experienced a few times ourselves. Make sure you know which signs to follow before leaving your riad or hotel, as even Google Maps can find it difficult to navigate through this maze.

If you succeed, try to choose a hotel in the medina itself. This is better because some gates of the medina close after 7 p.m., which can cause problems when returning to a hotel outside the walls of the medina.

Tip: Lost? Ask store or restaurant owners how to get back to your destination. Keep in mind that many children will try to scam you, helping you with directions to receive money at the end for that.

2. Jnan Sbil Gardens (Bou Jeloud).

This peaceful piece of nature is the only public garden in the busy medina. Step inside for a break from bargaining and enjoy the beautiful water sculptures, birds, plants, flowers and walkways surrounded by palm trees. Relax, cool off and watch Fez residents enjoy the park as well.

Opening hours: 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Monday-closed

3. The magical Bou Inania Madrasa

The Bou Inania Madrasa is an iconic religious building in the center of the medina. The building, built in the 14th century, was once a school. Now, however, its amazing architecture is on display to the public. Explore the beautiful marble courtyard, detailed carvings and endless mosaic tiles in different shades of green. In the same color theme, there is the adjacent mosque, with its magnificent green minaret visible across the medina. This madrasa is overwhelmingly the largest in the city! This is something not to be missed in Fez.

Its location makes it easy to visit while walking through the medina. It is also one of the few religious sites in Fez that can be entered by non-Muslims. Go here early or late in the day to see the beautiful space at its quietest. We visited it around 4 p.m. and there was hardly anyone there!

Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm (not during prayer times)

Entrance fee: 20 MAD (2 euros)

4. Discover the smells of the tanneries

Be sure to also take a look at Fez’s world-famous tanneries! Discover hundreds of earthen pits filled with different colored dyes used to color animal skins. The tanneries are a unique part of Fez culture and incredibly beautiful to see during a Fez trip. Just be aware that the smell is quite strong! Locals will try to offer you “free mint” to help with the smell, but we have seen many people pay for it afterwards anyway. Therefore, it is best to bring some mint or a scarf yourself.

An alternative way to see the tanneries is to find a rooftop terrace nearby. This way you can have a panoramic view from higher up.

Tip: Visit the Chouara tannery – the largest tannery in the city and the oldest tannery in the world!

World’s oldest university: Kairaouine 5.

Known as the world’s oldest university, the Kairaouine Mosque is also one of the largest mosques in Morocco. It is one of the most important religious buildings in Fez, which is why only Muslims are allowed inside. Although tourists are not allowed inside, you can take a look through several entrance gates. You will then see the beautiful marble courtyard, fountains, arches, tiles and carvings. You will also see many people praying in this sacred building, which is still used as a university!

Tip: Try to spot the mosque’s beautiful minaret from one of the nearby rooftops.

6. Get a fresh orange juice

Orange juice is something we love, and Fez makes them so good! Grab an affordable, fresh juice every morning for the perfect start to a day of exploration. You can’t miss the orange juice stalls found all over the center. Delicious!

7. Al Atterine Madrassa

This madrassa may be small, but its beauty is so much more than just its size. At its center is a beautiful courtyard surrounded by tiles with geometric patterns on the walls and floor. Admire the intrinsic wood-carved doors, which really take you back to medieval Morocco. Don’t forget to look up at the magnificent minaret! This oasis of calm, among the hustle and bustle of Fez, is close to the Kairaouine Mosque and the Chouara tannery. Really fun to do in Fez if you have time!

Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm (always check for religious holidays and events as this can change the times)

Entrance fee: 20 MAD (2 euros)

Also read: 3 days tour from Marrakech to Fes through Morocco.

8. Sunset on a rooftop

Moroccan architecture consists of beautiful earth-colored houses with flat roofs. This means it is a terrace paradise! One of the best ways to see Fez is to find a nice rooftop café or bar (like Cafe Clock) and enjoy the city from above. Sit here at the end of the day and enjoy the sun setting behind this beautiful city. Real happiness!

Check out all the cheap riads in Fez

9. The royal palace (Dar Al-Makhzen).

Take a look at the dazzling exterior of the royal palace. The royal family and government still use this building regularly, so tourists are unfortunately not allowed inside. However, the magnificent walls, consisting of blue mosaic tiles and beautiful bronze doors, make it a top activity in Fez with Morocco Sahara Trips. Tourists can also wander outside through the beautiful, green palace gardens. Adjacent to the gardens is the grand mosque Fez el-Jdid, with the most beautifully decorated minaret!

Tip: Go to Dar Batha, the former royal palace of Fes to visit its museum and peaceful gardens.

10. Explore the maze of souks

The souks are the soul of any Moroccan city, and those in Fez are some of the most impressive. Step back into the medieval era of fabric-walled streets, where the only transportation is by donkey and cart. It excites all your senses, with vendors shouting prices and bargaining hard, aromatic smells coming from all directions and textile displays in all colors of the rainbow. The streets in Fez’s souks are much narrower than those in Marrakech, with many twists, turns and splits that make it truly a maze.

Read more: Tips for a Morocco itinerary with a local travel agency Moroccan Desert Tours 

11. Buy a beautiful Fez rug

Fez is known for its handicrafts, especially its many carpets. Carpet vendors can be found all over the main streets of the medina, each with beautiful Moroccan designs to display. A French woman living in Marrakech recommended that we go to a particular store (across the street from Café El Khmissa), where you get a fair price.

After going through about 20 rugs, we had chosen our favorite. The rug was 2 meters long and 1.5 meters wide and we paid 130 euros for it, which we thought was a fair price for a traditional Moroccan rug.

Nice stays in Fez 

Take the opportunity to stay in a traditional riad in Fez. These are Moroccan guesthouses, normally located in the older parts of the city and built around courtyards or swimming pools. They are a great place to stay and unwind at the end of a busy day in Fez. Ideally, choose a hotel or riad in the center of the medina to be close to the main attractions and to avoid getting lost late at night.