Some places you simply visit… others you feel. Fès, or Fez, is one of those cities. Its alleyways, gates, souks, craftsmen and architecture tell centuries of history and tradition. If you are wondering what to see in Fez, the answer always starts in the same place: its old medina, the heart of Morocco’s oldest imperial city.
Founded at the end of the 8th century, Fez was for centuries a great religious, cultural and trading centre. Today it preserves an exceptional part of Morocco’s heritage and is a must on any imperial cities tour.
What to see in Fez: the UNESCO World Heritage medina
The medina of Fez el-Bali has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. It is a maze of narrow lanes, squares, mosques, madrasas, fountains and workshops where daily life carries on much as it did centuries ago. Cars cannot enter, so everything moves on foot or on the backs of donkeys and mules.
Walking through the Fez medina is a feast for the senses: the scent of spices and cedarwood, the sound of craftsmen hammering metal, the colours of textiles and pottery. To understand all the city represents, it is worth learning a little about the history of Morocco before you arrive.
What to see in Fez: highlights of the imperial city
Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate of Fez
Bab Boujloud is the best-known entrance to the medina. Built in 1913, it stands out for its zellige tiles: blue on the outside and green on the inside. It is the perfect starting point for your first day in Fez and one of the most photographed spots in the city.
The Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas
These 14th-century Quranic schools are true jewels of Marinid architecture. Their courtyards combine carved cedarwood, sculpted plaster and zellige mosaics, showing up close the level of detail Fez craftsmen achieved.
Al Qarawiyyin University
Founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, it is considered one of the oldest continuously operating educational institutions in the world. Its mosque is one of the city’s great spiritual symbols.
Chouara Tannery
From the terraces around Chouara Tannery you look down on stone vats full of natural dyes where leather is still worked the traditional way. It is one of the most iconic sights in Fez, a place you should not miss and a living example of its ancient crafts.
Zellige and the traditional crafts of Fez
Fez is the birthplace of many of Morocco’s traditional crafts. Zellige, the mosaic of hand-cut glazed ceramic pieces, decorates fountains, courtyards and palaces across the country — and in Fez you can still watch it being made.
Potters, weavers, coppersmiths, carpenters and leatherworkers all work in the medina’s souks. Discovering these old trades and local life is one of the best ways to understand the city and Moroccan and Amazigh culture.
Authentic food in Fez
Fassi cuisine is among the most refined in Morocco. Don’t leave without trying pastilla, a sweet-and-savoury pie; a slow-cooked tagine; harira, the traditional soup; and of course mint tea on a terrace overlooking the medina. Tasting authentic Moroccan food is a journey in itself.
See Fez your way with local guides
At Mágico Marruecos we don’t just want to show you Fez. We want you to discover it your way, with time to get to know its culture, its people and the small details that turn a trip into an unforgettable memory.
Exploring the medina with a local guide means you won’t get lost in the maze, you can step into family workshops and understand the story behind every door. Fez is part of several of our trips:
- 7-day Morocco tour: Fez, the desert and Marrakech
- 10-day desert and imperial cities tour
- Tailor-made Morocco trips with local guides
FAQ: what to see in Fez
How many days do you need in Fez?
Ideally at least two full days: one for the medina and its monuments, and another for the souks, the crafts and the surroundings.
When is the best time to visit Fez?
Spring and autumn bring the most pleasant temperatures for walking around the medina. See our guide to the weather and best time to visit Morocco.
How do you get to Fez?
Fez has an international airport, with direct flights from the UK and Europe, and good road and rail links to other Moroccan cities. Find out more in how to get to Morocco.
Fès is waiting for you. So is Morocco. Want to discover Morocco your way? Write to us and we will design your experience.
Mágico Marruecos – Travel your way.