Location: Fes
Top Things to do in Fes
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Fes That You Shouldn't Miss
The oldest university in the world isn’t Oxford or the Sorbonne—it’s the University of Al-Karaouine, and you’ll find it in Fes el Bali. This walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will transport you back to medieval times. Visit the ancient maze-like quarters of the Medina to Fes el-Bali and the four imposing Gates of Fes, with their distinctive Moroccan tile work. You can walk, or, if you're brave, take a taxi—the daredevil drivers will have you hanging on for dear life.
Restaurants in Fes
1. Pure Maroc Journey Design
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 76 reviews
If you looking for something different then your average vacation we can help you with the most memorable trip of a life time.
Reviewed By sherif9hassan - London, United Kingdom
Nice day trip to the best Middle Atlas sights and villages with Pure Maroc Journey Design. Very friendly staff and competitive prices. Highly recommended.
2. Medina of Fez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,433 reviews
The city’s ancient quarter is an intricate maze of streets lined with open markets, shops and mosques.
Reviewed By 254peterc254 - Trinidad, United States
Fabulous...! From the world-famous (and moderately odorous) leather tannery to exotic (to us) food stalls to the best mint tea we had - the Fez Medina is truly a remarkable experience. Think in terms of thousands (literally) of small, winding, unnamed, and often vigorous alleyways, walkways and occasional streets, that grew largely organically over hundreds of years. To get the most out of this experience, we would recommend hiring a guide. Our tour included sampling many of the very interesting (and tasty) foods - including preserved beef, some just-cooked wonderful stretchy bread, figs, other sweets, pickles - and a honey tasting of a dozen different honeys. Not far from tannery is a small mint tea shop, which made (without question!) the best and most interesting mint tea we had in Morocco - the shop consists of about 4 stools, a small bench, a wonderful, large copper pot, a small burner - and the fabulous and personable proprietor. Delightful! The tannery is quite a visual (and, um, fragrant) experience. Truly one of the highlights of a Moroccan experience!
3. Al-Attarine Madrasa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 518 reviews
Reviewed By HINAWASEEM - Islamabad, Pakistan
This is the second finest Medersa of Fez. It is a medieval Koranic School. It is named after the perfumers located in the spice and perfume market nearby. It was built in 1325 by the Merenid sultan, Abou Said Othman. You can see a variety of rich zellij, wood and stucco decorations here. The amazing thing is that despite of a profusion of patterns the impact is light and not overwhelming. The symmetrical arches upheld by marble pillars are the hallmark of this medarsa.
4. Bou Inania Medersa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 952 reviews
Reviewed By cjr83 - Greenville, United States
What a gorgeous place in the middle of the bustling medina. The tile work and wood carvings are so intricate. Definitely check it out!
5. Cherratin Medersa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By 750dimitrisl - Sydney, Australia
Cherratin Medersa is an interesting place to visit. It is or was a religious school with quarters for students to stay and looking at the small rooms you might wonder about the amount of space they had to make do with. It was very popular in its heyday. It consists of three floors and the architecture is masterful. It's certainly worth a visit.
6. Sahrij Medersa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By HINAWASEEM - Islamabad, Pakistan
This is a medersa which is contemporary with Medersa Attarine. It was built in early 1300’s by Marinid Sultan Abou el Hassan. It is one of the most interesting structures of Fez Medina. You can find it near the Andalusian Mosque. It has a smaller sister Madrasa, called Sbaiyyin, connected to it. Sahrija is a fully functioning Koranic School. It is named after the huge pool in it’s lovely courtyard. The zellij mosaic here is the oldest in Fez and truly a sight to behold. You can see some superb Almohad cedar carvings here.
7. Fes el-Bali
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 821 reviews
Reviewed By AlbertSalichs - Manresa, Spain
Fes el-Bali is the old part of the Medina of the imperial city of Fez and it is located near Fes el-Jdid, the new part of the Medina. In fact, for me, it is the most touristic part of the Medina, because the most important place in Fes el-Jdid, the Royal Palace is closed to visitors. In Fes el-Jdid, you did a guided tour with Sabh, and really it was very interesting. We could see the most important religious buildings like the Big Mosque, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II and Bou Inania Madrasa, pitifully the first and second ones are closed to no Muslims, so you only can see the main courtyard from outside. Also, we walked around old streets, really it seems you stay in the Middle Ages Era, we visited some souqs, which are very interesting and sellers are not annoying (very important for us!). In fact, it is an excellent visit for adults and children (I came here with my 4 years old daughter and she enjoyed a lot running, playing and ridding a donkey in the little old streets! I recommend you go up to the hill, where there are the Menerid Tombs, because from here you can see the most beautiful views of the Fes-el Bali and all Medina. (see also Medina of Fez, Al-Attarine Madrassa, Bou Inania Medersa, Kairaouine Mosque, Chouara Tannery, Place Seffarine, Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II, Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate of Fez, Restaurant Nejjarine, Boujloud Square and Dar Finn)
8. Jardin Jnan Sbil
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,125 reviews
Reviewed By lesliel804
Our family of 6, 8 years to 70 years, had a great late afternoon visit at these amazing beautifully restored gardens! You can see them as you drive in the New City, much botanical variety and color and water features and many places to sit and meditate. And walkways and spaces for families and young children to run and enjoy. It’s a cooling way to regenerate after the Medina. We loved it!!
9. Glaoui Palace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By L982JWrebeccap - Ottawa, Canada
Stumbled upon this place and knew nothing about it. I was surprised to learn it had been built so recently - about 100 years ago. A big part of the charm is that the place is still owned by and lived in by a descendent of the original family. He collects the fee for visiting. There are no plaques or brochure or guide or signage of any sort. You are literally wandering into the run down old family home of a quirky old fellow, and that is exactly what it feels like. Some rooms feel intact and unchanged for 100 years. Some hallways and staircases are blocked off with old mattresses and bits of furniture. The original kitchen is there, and it is easy to imagine a team of people slaving away in there to create elaborate meals for dozens of people. Beyond a wall I heard chickens and geese, so there is this tantalizing sense that there is more to the palace that one is able to see. It also enforces the idea that this is still a place of residence. If you enjoy old buildings and Moroccan architecture, find this place and plan to spend an hour or so exploring and taking it in. This was one of the highlights of my time in Fes.
10. Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 598 reviews
Morocco’s second-largest mosque, built in 857, is one of the world’s oldest universities.
Reviewed By sami_ali_khalil - Casablanca, Morocco
A jewel of Moroccan Muslim architecture. The sekkayas (fountains) for ablutions are of a beautiful marble. The patio at the entrance is unique in its craftsmanship.
