Introducing Fez
Fez is known as the cultural capital of Morocco, also known as the "Mecca of the West" and the "Athens of Africa". It was the capital of Morocco before 1925. Its old town is considered to be the largest pedestrian street in the world. It also has the world's oldest existing University of Al-Karaouine, which is engaged in religious education for Muslims. The entire old town is a world cultural heritage site.
It can be said that this is the most classic and original scenery of Arabia. The city layout has not changed for thousands of years. The 9,000 narrow and winding alleys are as dense as a spider web, crisscrossing and complex. There seems to be no rules and direction at all. The big alleys are nested in the small alleys, and the small alleys are connected to the smaller alleys. It is almost impossible to find a straight road longer than 30 meters. Some alleys are so narrow that only one person can pass sideways. There are also more than 360 mosques built in them.
Climate and best time to travel
Spring and autumn are the best seasons for travel
Recommended number of days and locations for visiting
Leather Dyeing Workshop
From a bird's-eye view, the 18th-century leather dye vats resemble a vast palette. They're actually composed of hundreds of large stone mortars arranged in rows. The dyes are extracted from natural plants. The leather is soaked in lime, cleaned with pigeon droppings and cow urine, and then dyed with plant-based dyes.
Blue Gate of Burilu
Also known as the Blue Gate, it is located at the starting point of two of the most important roads in the old city, so most tourists choose to enter the old city of Fez from here. It is called the Blue Gate because the outer side of the gate is inlaid with blue mosaic tiles, which is very Islamic.
Buinania Theological Seminary
This is the first Islamic academy in Fez dedicated to the dissemination of Islamic teachings. Unlike other academies in Morocco that merely teach Islamic doctrine, it also serves as a mosque for public worship. The building is exquisitely decorated, with intricate stone and wood carvings on the eaves and walls.
Fez Gloi Palace
Recommended number of days for visiting: about 2 days
Most Popular FAQs for Fez
What is the history and significance of this attraction/city?
Fez is one of Morocco’s oldest and most important imperial cities, founded in the late 8th–9th centuries. It became a center of learning, culture, religion, and craftsmanship under successive dynasties. Its medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, representing a living medieval city with deep traditions in Islamic scholarship, crafts, and architecture.
Where is it located and how do I get there (metro, bus, taxi, walking)?
Fez is inland in northern Morocco, in the Fez-Meknes region, about 300 km from the Mediterranean coast. To get there, most visitors fly into Fès–Saïs Airport or arrive by train or bus from major Moroccan cities. Within Fez, the old medina is pedestrian only; local transport includes petit taxis, buses, and walking for navigating neighborhoods.
What are the opening hours and best times to visit?
Many monuments, madrasas, museums, and gardens operate roughly from morning (often ~9 AM) to late afternoon/early evening. The best time to visit Fez is in spring (March–May) or autumn (September–November), when the weather is moderate and crowds are lighter.
What is the entrance fee/ticket price, and how to buy tickets (online/offline)?
- Bou Inania Madrasa: modest fee (e.g. ~30 MAD) paid onsite
- Nejjarine Museum (woodworking museum): small entrance fee (e.g. ~10 MAD) onsite
- Gardens like Jnan Sbil: typically free or minimal cost
- Hammams and cooking classes: variable pricing, booked via local operators or riads
- Tours in the medina: paid via local guides or tour agencies
Do I need to book tickets in advance, and how far in advance?
For popular sites and guided tours (especially cooking classes, private medina tours, or top riad hammams), booking a few days to a week ahead is wise. For standard entry to madrasas and museums, advance booking is usually not required.
How much time is needed to fully explore it?
Spending 2–3 full days lets you cover the principal medina, museums, gardens, and get panoramic views. If you want deeper immersion or day trips, 4 days is better.
What are the must-see highlights or main areas inside?
- Fez el-Bali (old medina) with its souks and alleyways
- Bou Inania Madrasa and Al Attarine Madrasa
- Chouara Tannery (leather district)
- Nejjarine Museum and square
- Marinid Tombs / hill viewpoints
- Jnan Sbil Gardens
- The Mellah (Jewish Quarter) and synagogues
- Royal Palace gates (from outside)
Are guided tours or audio guides available (and in which languages)?
Guided walking tours are widely available in English, French, and sometimes Spanish. Many riads or tour operators coordinate them. Audio guides are less common in the narrow medina — guided tours are preferred for navigation and context.
What are the best viewpoints or photography spots?
- The Marinid Tombs / hill above Fez, offering sweeping views
- Rooftop terraces of riads overlooking the medina
- The Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud) entrance to the medina
- Courtyards inside madrasas and museums
- Jnan Sbil Gardens edges and water channels
What is the recommended route or itinerary inside?
- Start at Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate), enter the medina via Talaa Kebira or Talaa Sghira
- Visit Bou Inania Madrasa, Al Attarine Madrasa, Nejjarine Museum
- Walk deeper into Medina: souks, Tanneries, artisan quarters
- Exit toward the hill to reach Marinid Tombs / viewpoints
- Visit the Mellah and Royal Palace gates
- Relax in Jnan Sbil Gardens later in day
Are night visits, light shows, or special tours available?
There are some evening walking tours or nighttime strolls through lit alleys and squares. Some riads host cultural evenings, music events, or special guided tours at dusk. However, most monuments close in the evening.
Is it crowded, and when are the least crowded times/days to visit?
Fez is quite popular, especially in peak tourist seasons. The medina can feel crowded midday. The least crowded times are early morning, late afternoon, and off-peak months (spring and autumn). Weekdays are somewhat less busy.
What facilities are available (toilets, food, water, rest areas, shops)?
- Many cafés and restaurants in and around the medina and in newer districts
- Food stalls and markets throughout the old city
- Shops and artisan workshops in souks
- Public restrooms in tourist areas (but may be basic)
- Riads often provide water, rest spaces, and guidance
Is the attraction accessible for elderly, children, or disabled visitors?
- The medina has many steep, narrow, and uneven paths, which can be challenging for elderly or mobility-impaired visitors.
- Some riads, museums, and madrasas have accessible areas, but full accessibility is limited.
- Children may enjoy the maze, markets, and crafts, but supervision is needed in crowded alleys.
Is cash needed or are cards/mobile payments accepted?
Cash (Moroccan Dirham) is essential for many vendors, souks, small shops, taxis, and entry fees. Cards and mobile payments are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, and some museums, but reliability varies in the medina.
What restaurants or cafes are available inside or nearby?
- Traditional Moroccan restaurants within the medina (serving tagines, couscous, grilled meats)
- Café Clock (a popular social café with events and cooking classes)
- Riads’ rooftop cafes offering tea, snacks, and views
- Modern restaurants and cafés in the Ville Nouvelle (new city)
Are there vegetarian/vegan/halal food options?
- Most Moroccan cuisine is halal by default (meat options prepared per local custom)
- Vegetarian and vegan dishes like tagines, salads, couscous, vegetable stews are widely available
- Larger restaurants and cafés are more likely to explicitly offer vegan or vegetarian menus
What hotels or accommodations are close to the site?
- Riads inside the medina (traditional guesthouses with courtyards)
- Mid-range hotels near the medina edges or in Ville Nouvelle
- Luxury riads or boutique hotels in medina neighborhoods with rooftop terraces and views
What other attractions or landmarks are nearby and easy to combine in a day trip?
- Volubilis (Roman ruins) and Meknes (imperial city) to the north
- Moulay Idriss (a sacred town) nearby
- Moulay Yacoub hot springs just outside Fez
Are there souvenir shops and what are the typical souvenirs?
- Souvenir shops in the medina and souks selling ceramics, leather goods, textiles, metalwork, lanterns
- Handcrafted items like zellij tiles, woodwork, rugs, and local spices
- Traditional Moroccan clothing (djellabas, scarves) and jewelry
What are the best transportation options to continue the trip after visiting?
- Train services from Fez to cities like Meknes, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier
- Intercity buses linking to other Moroccan destinations
- Private car hire or chauffeured transfers for flexibility
- Taxi or shuttle to Fez–Saïs Airport for domestic or international flights
