If I need to summarize the city it would be in saying that here the architecture and the culture are alive and full of colors. A tourist town but with the culture of hundreds of years ago still alive and well preserved.
Check below a list of what to do in the city:
When you visit Fez, keep in mind that Friday is a holy day. Kind of our Sunday. So you might several shops closed on that day, but the weekend everything works normally.
MEDINA DE FEZ (Fez El Bali)
Medinas are considered the old towns protected by walls, the Medina in Fez is one of the first and oldest in Morocco created in the 4th century, is also one of the largest in the world. It is a demonstration of what the world was like in medieval times. Besides being also one of the most authentic, it is considered a World Heritage Site.
The place is beautiful, full of life, colors, and smells. One of the things you have to do, and it will happen anyway, is to get lost in the medina! The place is kind of a maze full of craft shops, spices, restaurants, leather goods, fabrics and so much more. All this in narrow, crowded streets! Amazing!
BLUE GATE
Another detail, when you go, make sure you enter through Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate. This is the most famous entrance of the medina and is very beautiful to see.
TANNERY DE FEZ
Located within the medina, Tannery is the place to dye leather, which is one of the best-selling products in Morocco. Is also one of the most famous tourist spots of Fez. What you are going to do is actually visit one of the shops that have a view to the Tannery, they say that store 10 is the shop with the best view for the Tannery, but near the place has hundreds of stores 10, so… 😂😂
One tip: Because of the leather the place is pretty stinky so when you go into the store they will give you a mint leaf to smell. My tip is, go with the bad smell for a minute so you can get used to it and keep your hands free. Or spend the whole visit finding the smell bad and having to smell the plant.
Open: Every day from 10 to 19
The amount varies from MAD 10.00 or USD 1.00 to MAD 30.00 or USD 3.00 per person.
MESQUITA: MADRASA BOU INANIA
Still inside the medina, the place is one of the few religious buildings where non-Muslims can enter.
Founded in the 14th century, it operated until 1960 as a religious school and today can be visited by admirers of its architecture. Its most striking feature is its minaret, tower of the mosque, with green tiles.
The visit costs MAD 20.00 or USD 2.00.
SNAN SBIL GARDEN
Leaving the medina through the blue gate on the left side you’ll find the Jan Sbil Garden. It is a good choice to spend the morning around nature.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8 to 19:30
Free entrance
ROYAL PALACE
The palace itself is not open to visits, but the view of the entire city makes up for the visit.
Free entrance. Access by taxi
RUINS OF THE OLD WALL: TOMBEAUX DES MÉRINIDES
Are the remnants of the old medina wall, the best here is the sunset view and the view of the entire medina.
One of my favorite spots in Fez
MOSQUE OF ANDALUSIANS
Also known as Alandalus Mosque or Mosque of Idrissidas the place is one of the mosques, place of worship, very old and a historical monument in the Andalusian Quarter.
UNIVERSITY AL QUARAOYYINE
The oldest university in the world. Founded in 859, it was created as a madrasah (Islamic school of instruction), the university dealt with diverse subjects such as politics and natural sciences.
It is not allowed to enter the university, but you can walk around the patio and admire the architecture, the fountain and its mosaics and arabesques of the entrance.
Attached to the university is also the mosque of the same name, one of the largest in the African continent. However, entry is only allowed for Muslims.
Now you are ready to go!
But check my trip before 😉
Contribute to the environment
- Take your trash
- Collect rubbish if possible
- ALWAYS PRESERVE THE NATURE