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We have to go a little further before realizing that leaving this place is a mission in and of itself. Anyone who has ever walked through the winding streets of Fes medina (old town) is familiar with them. The Medina in Fes is the most complicated maze we have ever encountered.
One of Morocco’s four royal cities, Fes, is also one of the most well-known tourist destinations in the world. In our opinion, any vacation to Morocco should include time spent in Fes. We’ll show you the most stunning views in Fes and share our insider suggestions for exploring the country’s first medina in this blog post.
Fes : Sights, Attractions and Highlights in the Medina of Fes
Different from Marrakech is Fes. more real, engaging, and original. You can find the atmosphere and energy in Fes that Marrakesh appears to lack. On our vacation to Morocco, Fes was without a doubt one of our favorite cities.
The medina, or ancient town, is at the center of Fes. As it was for us, the Fes medina can be a little intimidating. At first, we weren’t sure if we should like or dislike this place. We experienced various emotions over time, including fascination, disgust, excitement, and even horror. Everyone in this place is subject to the overpowering senses of smells, tastes, and sounds.
We certainly wouldn’t describe Fes as being attractive in the traditional sense. The medina, though, is a sight that you won’t soon forget. You shouldn’t miss the highlights in Fes listed below. To make it easier for you to navigate, we have bundled them into a short tour.
Would you rather travel with a knowledgeable guide? We completely comprehend! When you take a private tour, your guide will show you the city’s top attractions and, of course, impart a wealth of knowledge.
Bab Rcif: The eastern entrance to the Fes medina
Our journey begins at the bustling Place Rcif. The same-named city gate, the Bab Rcif, may be seen here. It is the Fes medina’s eastern entrance. It is difficult to comprehend at this moment that such a sizable square conceals hundreds of thousands of tiny streets.
Any time of day, locals congregate around Place Rcif. The square serves as a gathering spot for families, where people gather to dine, drink, and watch children play. A lot happens, particularly in the evenings.
The Fez tanneries: Chouara Tanneries
After entering the gate, you move toward Fes infamous tanneries in the north. It states, “Always follow your nose.” And it’s accurate. The traditional method of hand tanning leather is used in the Chouara Tanneries in Fes. And that indicates: The job is unthinkable, with people processing animal skin while standing in huge vats.
The scent gets worse the closer you approach near the tanneries. You can nearly count on receiving some fresh mint from one of the neighborhood leather stores. (Your sense of smell will appreciate it.) Nearly all leather shops have a terrace where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the tanneries.
We immediately enter the action thanks to our self-appointed guide. Then you are confronted with the harsh reality: the environment is chaotic and filthy, the sun is scorching, there are animal skins everywhere, and water is sprinkling from every angle. The nauseating odor is the worst, though. Our advice is to avoid touching anything and breathe as deeply as you can.
If you rapidly become overwhelmed and repulsed, consider standing on one of the terraces and keeping your distance from the tanneries. There is no admission fee. As part of Arab sales technique, it is intended that you will purchase a bag afterward. But we nevertheless left a meager tip for our rogue tour guide.
Medersa Attarine: Former Koran school
Former Koran schools are among the most stunning sites in several Moroccan cities, including Fes. Directly inside the medina, the Medersa Attarine is well worth a visit. The Medersa is a short distance away by foot from the tanneries.
The 14th century saw the creation of the Medersa Attarine. Although it doesn’t stand out from the exterior, the inside is even more remarkable. A beautiful mixture of Moroccan tiles, mosaics, and sculptures may be found here, along with a serene, peaceful environment. The best time to travel is when there are less huge travel groups, is our advice. The Medersa Attarine was exclusively ours after some waiting; priceless.
Regardless of your religion, you are welcome to visit the Medersa Attarine (this is not always the case in Morocco). Another Koran school in Fes, the Medersa Bou Inania, is also noteworthy to visit. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open while we were there.
Kairaouine Mosque (= Qarawīyīn Mosque)
The Medersa Attarine is right near to the Kairaouine Mosque. It is also the oldest university in the Islamic world, having been established back in the ninth century.
You will regrettably not be allowed entry to the mosque if you are not a Muslim (as we are). However, you can enter through one of the numerous gates and look about. It’s unbelievable, but true: 20,000 people can fit here.
Additionally, one of the staff members offered to use our camera to snap a few pictures. At least then we could infer from the images what we had missed.
The souks (markets) in the Fes medina
We keep going through Fes souks, or markets. The medina of Fes appears to be a single, all-encompassing souk at first impression. The individual souks are, however, – at least in part – organized by themes. Spices, handicrafts (such as lamps and accessories), and fruits and vegetables are occasionally offered for sale.
Are you searching for a memento or a brand-new household favorite? If so, you’re in the correct place in Fes souks. We purchased a stunning oriental lamp for our apartment, and the shop owner even took us to the “factory” where it was made. We were quite fortunate since it was fascinating to observe how they conducted business there. You may see how copper and metal accessories are created, for instance, on Place Seffarine.
The Fes Medina will be like a tiny paradise for you if you enjoy oriental design aesthetics as much as we do. By the way, on our trip west from the Kairaouine Mosque, we came upon the most renowned spice trader (as shown in the picture).
Bab Bou Jeloud: The western entrance gate to the Fes medina
At the renowned and spectacular Blue Gate, Bab Bou Jeloud, our discovery journey comes to a close. One of the most significant landmarks in the city, it is perhaps Fes’ most attractive and well-known city gate.
The Blue Gate’s mosaic is only blue on the outside, hence the term “Blue Gate” is a little deceptive. Actually, the other side is green. The gate is quite new at just over 100 years old.
Even though neither of us suffers from claustrophobia, it was a huge deal when we were finally able to see the sun again. The sun has never made me happier! Strangely enough, locals refer to the region behind the fence as “Place of the Lost Tourists.” There is some truth to it, I suppose.
2. Food and Drinks in Fes: Tips for Restaurants and Cafes
We adore Moroccan food, and Fes is undoubtedly a great spot to sample a variety of specialties. The HappyCow app is something we heartily suggest if you follow a vegetarian diet. Here are some recommendations for dining in Fes:
The name of this restaurant, The Ruined Garden, tells it all: You’re sitting in a garden in an old backyard, creating a truly vintage atmosphere! There is inventive Moroccan food available. appropriate for vegetarians as well.
One of the most well-known gathering spots in the medina for western tourists is the Café Clock, a fixture in Fes. The backyard retreat is a modest haven that is ideal for relaxing after a busy day. Near the Blue Gate is where you’ll find the Café Clock.
Café Restaurant Al Oud: A quaint, small restaurant offering delicious food at affordable pricing in the heart of the medina.
Small street cuisine eatery Yalla Yalla is located next to the Blue Gate. ideal for a fast lunch.
3. Where to Stay: Hotel Tip for Fes
We stayed in the magnificent Karawan Riad in Fes, which still left us a little stunned to this day. Without exaggeration, this riad is the most picturesque location we have ever visited. Two French couples purchased the riad years ago, and they spent ten years renovating it themselves.
There are suites instead of standard rooms, and each one is decorated with a particular concept in mind. The owners gathered the furniture from a variety of international locations. Never before have we experienced such meticulous hotel service.
The rooftop terrace of the Karawan Riad, from where you may savor a beautiful view of the Fes medina at breakfast, is one of its features. The Karawan Riad’s rather high price is its sole drawback. But we definitely recommend this hotel if you want to pamper yourself to something extraordinary.
4. Extra travel tips for Fes: Transport, Security & more
Local transport: How do I get from A to B in Fes?
In Fes, you can typically walk to most locations, depending on where you are staying. For other trips, taxis are available in Fes. Here, people mostly employ the so-called Petits Taxis (little taxis), which, in contrast to the Grands Taxis, fit snugly into Fes’s winding streets (large taxis).
The best course of action is to demand that the cabbie activate the taximeter. It is preferable to ask the following driver if the first one declines. A trip inside the city should typically cost no more than 30 Dirhams.
Travel guide for Morocco
The Rough Guide to Morocco is a fantastic resource if your trip to Morocco includes stops outside of Fes (which we sincerely hope it does). The Rough Guides are renowned for their thorough and thoroughly researched material.
The updated version of The Rough Guide’s Morocco travel guide was released in 2019, making it fairly current. Our judgment? It’s ideal for everyone who travels alone!
Security in Fes
The topic of security has certainly come up if you are currently considering a vacation to Morocco. The good news is that we did not have any unpleasant experiences and found Fes to be as safe as other major Moroccan cities. However, it is always good to exercise a little bit more caution in Morocco, which includes Fes.
The medina is congested and small. Because pickpocketing is a possibility, we advise keeping valuables close to your body. Evening strolls in the medina would be kept to a minimum. As it can be challenging to feel secure in the shadowy alleys, where an assault may take place (rarely, but still).
Once more, nothing bad occurred to us, and we wouldn’t think twice about returning to Fes. Even so, we were more at ease in Fes than in Marrakech. Your chances of being taken advantage of by a dealer and spending too much are significantly higher than those of anything else occurring.
