25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN FES

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The last stop of our trip to Morocco took us to know the city of Fez, and we must admit that it was one of the visits we enjoyed the most ... That yes, it was not love at first sight: we had to meet for a few days to appreciate the charms of this medieval city (which, eye: there are many). If you are preparing your trip we will tell you the best 25 things to see and do in Fez:

1. Not as famous as the Madrasa of Marrakech, but the Madrasa Bou Inania It is a must-have of Fez. We have already told you that madrasas are Koranic schools where the Koran is studied and, fortunately for tourists, they are usually open to non-Muslims. You can see the common rooms, the study rooms and fall in love with the architectural details. We really liked this one since its patio is full of details! Currently you can not climb to the top silver. Entry: 20D

2. It is not the only madrasa in the city, another one that is very worth knowing is the Madrasa Al Attarine, very similar to the Madrasa de Meknes, and that stands out for its beautiful interior patio and its cedar wood dome. This one can be climbed to the upper floors and to the roof, from where there are spectacular views. The truth is that for us this is one of the best visits to do in Fez. Do not miss it. Entry: 20D Other madrasas in Fez are: Madrasa Cherratine (20D) or the Madrasa Seffarine (50D).

3. The views from the terrace of the Madrasa Al Attarine are a pasote, but especially to spy from the top Qarawiyyin University and Mosque, just beside. It was founded in 859 and is considered by UNESCO as the oldest operating university in the world. As you can guess, non-Muslims are prohibited from accessing, but taking a look from the heights does not harm anyone. You will also have to surround its walls to reach the heart of the Medina of Fez, and you will find several of its doors open, do not enter but gossip inside interior

4. Distributed by Fez there are several tanneries, where leather is still working with the techniques of hundreds of years ago. The most famous is the Tannery Chouwara, a patio surrounded by buildings with wells full of colored dyes that tanners use to dye their skins. The best thing to see this show is climb to one of the terraces of the business of Rue Chouara. They do not charge anything (they are souvenir shops that what they earn are tourists entering to see their merchandise) and the visit can be done quietly without the need for a guide. Mind you, get ready for the smell: the skins are passed through a mixture of pigeon droppings, cow urine and salt water before being dyed with natural dyes. Poooor luck, sellers offer sprigs of mint that deter our smell (do not hesitate to take a twig, you will need!).

5. We know it as “the Blue Door"But his real name is"Bab boujloud" Call it what you call it the thing does not change: you have to go see this monumental entrance to the medina of Fez. And, of course, take the picture of rigor, with its blue tones tiles. Although to see it from two different perspectives we recommend you first sit down for tea in the little square What is there before crossing the door on the way to the Medina. And then go up to the terrace of one of the cafés that surround the Blue Door (we went to the Bouanania coffee).

By the way, here you have a selection of 8 restaurants to eat in Fez (good and cheap).

University and Mosque of Qarawiyyin from the terrace of the Madrasa Al Attarine

6. Once you cross it, you will enter the Medina of Fez, a whole network of alleys (they say there are more than 9000!) where getting lost is almost inevitable. Actually there are two medinas: Fes el Bali (the oldest and most famous) and Fes el Jdid (born when the growth of the city forced to expand the old medina). Keep in mind that it is very easy to get disoriented, so we advise you to use the Maps.me app and not get too far from the two main ways: Rue Talaa Kedira Y Rue Talaa Sghira. If you need the help of a local to return to a known point, it is normal to ask for a tip.

7. The Nejjarine Museum It is a museum of Moroccan art and crafts where you can see wooden objects, old tools, musical instruments, etc. Although the really impressive thing is its own and its terrace, where you can have a tea in complete tranquility, knowing that the madness of the medina awaits you!

8. Did you know that it is said that Fez was the first city in the world to create some sources to supply water to its inhabitants? One of the prettiest is right next to the Nejjarine Museum, so before entering (or leaving) do not miss a detail of it!

9. Ains the souks (souk): small places. You may leave with a chollazo or something that has been encased without knowing how. But one thing is for sure: there is no more typical experience in all of Morocco. In Fez you can visit several, some of the best are the Chemmaine Souk (specialized in dried fruit), the Henna Souk (with cosmetic products, among which henna stands out) or Attarine Souk (spices and natural products). Remember to haggle, it's something super normal in Morocco!

10. Another very authentic experience is to go through the Seffarine Square and listen to the sound of metal that artisans work (they make a terrible noise!)… From this work they leave from teapots to real works of art. I would really buy everything XD

Fountain next to the Nejjarine Museum

11. Come to know the Mausoleum of Mulay Idrís II, king of the Idrisí dynasty, who reigned from 807 to 828. Something curious happened in this place: the legend tells that, nothing more and nothing less than 5 centuries after the death of the king, his body was found almost intact. It was then that it was decided to erect this mausoleum and make it a place of pilgrimage (one of the most important in Morocco). Only Muslims can enter, but tourists can take a look from the entrance ... better than nothing :-p

12. A place we liked a lot was the R'cif Square, where there is a very cool door, and with a lot of ambient, especially at sunset when full of children playing and groups of women chatting. The best plan is to catch something to eat or drink and sit in the stands to watch life go by ...

13. Stay in a riad, the typical hotel of Morocco: they are beautiful palaces, with a central patio around which there are several rooms decorated in the purest Moroccan style and usually with a terrace. In Fez there are lots of them and for almost any budget, we stay in the Riad MeyssaneProbably the best accommodation in our entire trip to Morocco and where we felt at home, thanks especially to Mohammed. It is about 7 minutes walk from the R'cif Square.

14. Between the two Fez medinas are the Jnan Sbil Gardens, which is apparently one of the city's backwaters of peace. We say "apparently" because we were unable to visit them since we went on a Monday (closing day =) -_- Do not leave there without visiting the nearby and beautiful doors Bab mechouar Y Bab Dekkakin.

15. Although undoubtedly the best and most spectacular doors of Fez are those of his Royal Palace (Dar al-Makhzen). The palace cannot be visited inside, but these 7 bronze doors, wood and tiles (one is immense), deserve the little walk (or the taxi ride, of course).

Detail of the doors of the Royal Palace

16. As in Marrakech, Fez also has a Jewish quarter (Mellah), very close to the Royal Palace. There you can visit a cemetery, a synagogue, a museum or simply stroll through this old area (its main street is Derb el Mellah), full of doors, souks, colorful houses and businesses of the most peculiar (we will never forget the shops of dentures with sample dentures at the entrance).

17. Walk through the Andalusian neighborhood of Fez, which was founded in the ninth century when a strong wave of Muslim Andalusian emigrants arrived. Specifically we advise you to reach the Mosque of the Andalusians, the jewel of the neighborhood.

18. The city of Fez protected itself from attacks with several forts, taking advantage of the surrounding hills. Right now the Borj Sud, in the southern part (which is a small turret) and the Borj Nord, which is a fort in the purest European style and is home to the Weapons Museum. The really interesting thing is to climb there to see the sunset, possibly the best views of Fez are obtained from there. You can go walking (about 20 minutes) or by taxi. Very close there are also the Benimerine Tombs, a ruined mausoleum where the great leaders of the Merino dynasty were buried, and from where the views are also spectacular.

19. If you have more time you can take the opportunity to visit the Dar Batha Museum, where you can see traditional Berber objects such as carpets, cutlery and jewelry. We did not go.

20. The most modern area of Fez is called Ville Nouvelle and it's a good place to "change chip". As the name indicates, its origin is due to the French influence (remember that Morocco was occupied by the French until 1956).

Chouwara Tannery

Are you in the city for many days and have you seen the essentials? Take advantage of your stay to do the odd excursion. These are the most interesting:

21. Visit the blue city of Chefchaouen. It is about 200km north of Fez and you can go free by bus (4 hours, in this case it is best to stay at least one night) or on a day trip.

22. Know Meknes, Volubilis and Mulay Idrís. We visit them for free before arriving in Fez with a rental car, but you can also visit them for free from Fez or better sign up for this tour, or be completely in Spanish, and discover these 3 enclaves. Here we tell you more:

23. Discover Ifrane, a town that seems to arrive from Switzerland! Really, as soon as you arrive you will seem to have left Morocco. If you travel in winter, you will most likely see it with snow since it is almost 1800 meters high ... ah you didn't expect something like that? This excursion also includes the visit of 3 other curious villages from Fez.

24. Sleep in the merzouga desert! One of the most amazing places in toooodo the world. If you never experienced sleeping under the stars and waking up surrounded by golden dunes ... don't think about it. You have the experience of two days, or three days.

25. Tour the Atlas, with desert included and end in Marrakech. It is a perfect plan for those who do not have too much time, but want to know other important parts of Morocco. You can try to plan your trip for free with a rental car, or join this complete 4-day tour that passes through impressive places, such as the Erg Chebbi desert, the Todra Gorges and the Dades through the Valley of the Thousand Kasbahs and the visit to the mythical ksar of Ait Ben Haddou.

Here we leave you this map where we put all the points you have to visit on your trip to Fez if or if:

As you can see, Fez is one of those exciting and charming cities where you can travel to a distant world, those that seem already missing and that only live in the movies. If you have a chance, don't miss a trip to Fez! And so you don't miss anything, here we have told you the best 25 things to see and do in Fez.