Fes Morocco Things To Do

Fes, the oldest royal city of Morocco, welcomes its visitors with an atmosphere that seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. Upon entering the Medina of Fes, you are greeted by narrow alleys that take you deeper into the heart of the Medina, and getting lost is almost certain.

The Medina of Fes is the largest in the world, and behind every corner, there is something else beautiful to discover. You will often have to dodge a donkey or a horse that also uses the narrow lanes.

We start with the most obvious activity Strolling through the fascinating Medina of Fes. This is almost unavoidable when you are in Fes. You can wander around endlessly, shop, and take photos. Everything here is so photogenic! It’s good to know that Talaa Seghira and Talaa Kebira are the two main streets in the Medina. These streets are easy to recognize as they are somewhat wider and busier than the other alleys. In these streets, you will also find most of the shops and restaurants. It helps a lot to know where these are approximately located in order to find your way in the Medina.

In the heart of the historic city of Fes lies a special place that captures the essence of Moroccan traditions: the Henna Souk. This colorful market pulsates with life and culture, with its narrow alleys forming a labyrinth of scent and color. Here you will find henna in its most beautiful form, deeply rooted in Moroccan culture for centuries, as well as a variety of traditional crafts and spices. The stalls are filled with bright colors of henna and other natural products, and the air is filled with exotic scents that invigorate the senses. A visit to the Henna Souk is a journey into the heart of the tradition and art of Fes.

Tip: People, especially young people, often offer to show you the way in the medina. If you accept this offer or don’t say clearly enough that you don’t want it, they will go with you and then demand money afterwards. This can be very unpleasant if they demand more money than you want to give. So make it clear that you don’t want this and if you want help, agree a price in advance.

Have you ever wondered what happened before your leather jacket, bag, or shoes existed? In the tannery in Fes, you can witness this with your own eyes and nose. Here you will see the process where they clean, process, and finally dye the hides of cows, sheep, and goats. It’s an impressive process, but it can be quite smelly.

In Fes, there are three different tanneries, but the Chouara Tannery is the largest. Around the tanneries, there are many shops that sell leather bags, jackets, poufs, and shoes at a reasonable price. Many of these shops also have a viewpoint from which you can observe the tannery.

However, there are stories of people who, after their visit, were forced to buy an expensive bag or jacket. Therefore, clarify in advance if you don’t want to buy anything and just want to look at the tannery.

If the owner agrees, you can continue your way up. When you leave, it is customary to pay 10 Dirhams per person for viewing the tannery.

Tip: People, especially young people, often offer to show you the way in the medina. If you accept this offer or don’t say clearly enough that you don’t want it, they will go with you and then demand money afterwards. This can be very unpleasant if they demand more money than you want to give. So make it clear that you don’t want this and if you want help, agree a price in advance.

The Al-Attarine Madrasa and Bou Inania Madrasa are among the most photographed places in Fes. These magnificent Quranic schools are richly decorated with the most beautiful mosaics and other details such as wood carvings. Also, these are some of the few religious buildings that you, as a non-Muslim, are allowed to visit. Both were built in the 14th century and are fascinatingly beautiful! If you come here early, there are not so many people yet. We were at the door of the Bou Inania Madrasa at 8 o’clock in the morning and were alone for sure for 15 minutes. Later in the day, it is enormously busy here.

If there is anywhere in the world with a great variety of sweet snacks, it’s definitely in Morocco. As you walk through the main streets of the Medina, you will automatically find stands offering dozens of different treats.

Buy a few different kinds, and you will quickly find out which ones are your favorites. It’s also nice to find some inexpensive spices that you can use for cooking at home. The shops with mountains of spices will automatically be found in the main streets of the Medina.

Here is a list of some popular sweet snacks you can find in Fes:

• Shebakia: A sweet pastry dipped in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
• Briouat: Puff pastry pockets filled with almonds and honey.
• Kaab el Ghzal: “Gazelle horns”, an almond pastry wrapped in a fine dough.
• Ghriba: A simple but delicious Moroccan cookie, often made with almonds or coconut.
• Feqqas: A crispy biscuit with almonds and raisins, often flavored with anise.
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Dieses riesige Tor wurde 1913 erbaut. Es wird auch das “Haupttor der Medina” genannt. Die Franzosen haben damals ein Loch in die Stadtmauer geschlagen, woraufhin sie Bab Bou Jeloud erbauten. Rund um das Tor findest du viele Restaurants und Geschäfte.

Geh durch das Tor Bab Bou Jeloud

This massive gate was built in 1913. It is also known as the “Main Gate of the Medina.” At that time, the French made a hole in the city wall, after which they built Bab Bou Jeloud. Around the gate, you will find many restaurants and shops.

Take some time to escape the hustle and bustle of the medina. From Bab Bou Jeloub, it’s about a 25-minute walk to the ruins of the Marinid Tombs. From here you have a great view over Fes, especially when the sky turns orange and pink at sunset.

Tip: The Recif Café has a cosy roof terrace where you can enjoy a drink with a wonderful view

The best place to stay in Fez is in the Medina. It is almost entirely car-free, and all the sights are within walking distance. There are hotels all over the Medina of Fez, but we strongly recommend staying near the main streets of Talaa Seghira and Talaa Kebira. Here, you’ll find almost all the sights and most of the restaurants.

We speak from experience that if you venture deeper into the Medina, you will often get lost because the alleys are narrower, you have fewer landmarks, and your GPS won’t work. So, it can be difficult to find your way, and you’ll often have to accept help from dubious individuals who will guide you to your hotel and ask for money. As we have already described above, this can lead to uncomfortable situations, aside from costing you money. Especially when it’s dark, you can feel uncomfortable in the narrow alleys.

What really completes your visit to Fez is staying in a beautiful Riad. A Riad is typically Moroccan and often has a beautiful courtyard and an idyllic rooftop terrace. In the past, Riads were often houses of wealthy Moroccan families, but today almost all have been converted into hotels. Here, you can retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Medina during your stay in Fez.

The Hotel & Spa Dar Bensouda is one of the most beautiful Riads in Fez. It has a – by Moroccan standards – large pool, a wonderful rooftop terrace, and the double rooms are beautifully furnished. Riad Dar lline is also a small palace in Fez. The floors, walls, and even the ceiling are decorated with paintings, mosaics, and wood carvings. You’ll be amazed! The courtyard is beautiful, and from the rooftop terrace, you have a breathtaking view. If you have a smaller budget, Riad Haj Palace & Spa is perfect.

Tip: These hotels are located on the main street or just a few minutes walk from it.