Location: Fes
Top Things to do in Fes
10 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. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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)
5. 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!!
6. 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.
7. Moulay Abdellah Quarter
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 760 reviews
Reviewed By LolitaCardenas - The Woodlands, United States
So many beautiful things! Bought a gorgeous leather jacket and wished I could have more room in our suitcase to take home the incredible arts and crafts found in the Medina.
8. Museo Nejjarine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,062 reviews
Reviewed By SandraDunoon
Beautiful building & well presented artifacts. As we visited with a cultural guide we also enjoyed hearing history of building.
9. Chouara Tannery
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 676 reviews
Reviewed By Travelingourworldwck - Indialantic, United States
Chouara Tannery - Built in the 11th century, it is the largest and oldest tannery in the city - it has a strong smell, why? Well, they use the dove’s feces to remove the hair of the cows and lambs. For Camels and Goats they don’t and Camel leather is the most expensive leather here, it’s said to last a lifetime, the color doesn’t change, it’s waterproof and fire resistant. They use donkeys to transport the leather into the Medina for processing. You will see some of the process in my pictures, it’s all manual labor.
10. Bab Bou Jeloud
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,682 reviews
Reviewed By markopekolj
There are many cheap restaurants and markets around the Blue Gate, a short walk to the beautiful park and the Jewish Quarter and the Royal Palace. I recommend staying in one of the riads near the Blue Gate
