last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Fez
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Location Map of Fez
Fez
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Overview
Fez can generally be visited in a full day. That said, if you're staying in the city, you can always take advantage of your accommodation to explore the surrounding area, which offers plenty to see within a 100-kilometre radius (Meknes, Ifrane, Volubilis, etc.).
Districts
Like many Moroccan cities, Fez is divided into two main parts: the medina, which is the historic city, and the "new town," which is more modern and built in a European style.
Fes Medina
The Fes Medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. It is the oldest district in the city, as well as the liveliest and most picturesque.
The Fes Medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. It is the oldest district in the city, as well as the liveliest and most picturesque.
Sites, Monuments, and Architectural Ensembles
In the Medina
Bab Bou Jeloud
This remarkable gate, the most beautiful in the medina, dates from the early 20th century despite its classic Moorish decor. Intricate arabesques on glazed faience adorn the pediment. Its monumental portal, large enough to allow a sultan on camelback to pass through, is flanked by two narrower arches for pedestrians.
This remarkable gate, the most beautiful in the medina, dates from the early 20th century despite its classic Moorish decor. Intricate arabesques on glazed faience adorn the pediment. Its monumental portal, large enough to allow a sultan on camelback to pass through, is flanked by two narrower arches for pedestrians.
Bou Inania Madrasa
This madrasa, built by the Merinids in the 14th century, is one of the country's most remarkable. A patio separates the Quranic school from the prayer hall. The patio itself is adorned with splendid woodwork, stucco, and zellige tiles.
This madrasa, built by the Merinids in the 14th century, is one of the country's most remarkable. A patio separates the Quranic school from the prayer hall. The patio itself is adorned with splendid woodwork, stucco, and zellige tiles.
Karaouiyne Mosque
Until the construction of the Hassan II Grand Mosque in Casablanca, the Karaouiyne was the largest religious building in Morocco. Founded in the 9th century and significantly expanded in the 10th and 12th centuries, it is entirely surrounded by the medina and has 14 gates.
Until the construction of the Hassan II Grand Mosque in Casablanca, the Karaouiyne was the largest religious building in Morocco. Founded in the 9th century and significantly expanded in the 10th and 12th centuries, it is entirely surrounded by the medina and has 14 gates.
Andalusian Mosque
It owes its name to the Andalusian families expelled from Córdoba who founded the Andalusian district in 818. The mosque was built in 860 and is recognizable by its monumental portal adorned with zellige tiles and its white minaret covered in green faience.
It owes its name to the Andalusian families expelled from Córdoba who founded the Andalusian district in 818. The mosque was built in 860 and is recognizable by its monumental portal adorned with zellige tiles and its white minaret covered in green faience.
Elsewhere
Royal Palace of Dar el-Makhzen
It is not open to visitors, but you can admire its immense copper-engraved doors at Place des Alaouites.
It is not open to visitors, but you can admire its immense copper-engraved doors at Place des Alaouites.
New Town of Fez
The European-style new town with its wide avenues is the commercial hub. This is where people gather for strolls and traditional mint tea in open-air cafés.
The European-style new town with its wide avenues is the commercial hub. This is where people gather for strolls and traditional mint tea in open-air cafés.
Museums
Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts
This museum is located in the Dar Batha palace, built in the 19th century. It is renowned for its ceramics and bookbindings, though you can also admire stunning Middle Atlas carpets, musical instruments, and traditional costumes. A large garden adds to the charm of the place.
This museum is located in the Dar Batha palace, built in the 19th century. It is renowned for its ceramics and bookbindings, though you can also admire stunning Middle Atlas carpets, musical instruments, and traditional costumes. A large garden adds to the charm of the place.
Borj Nord Museum
Borj Nord is a 16th-century fort north of Fez. It was once one of the city’s largest surveillance posts before becoming a prison during the French era. Today, the site houses the Arms Museum, which traces the evolution of weapons from prehistory to the present day.
Borj Nord is a 16th-century fort north of Fez. It was once one of the city’s largest surveillance posts before becoming a prison during the French era. Today, the site houses the Arms Museum, which traces the evolution of weapons from prehistory to the present day.
Parks and Gardens
In the Surrounding Area
There’s plenty to discover within a 100-kilometre radius of the city:
Azrou (80 km)
This town built at over 1,200 m is primarily a base for exploring the surrounding area, particularly Ifrane National Park with its fishing and hiking opportunities.
This town built at over 1,200 m is primarily a base for exploring the surrounding area, particularly Ifrane National Park with its fishing and hiking opportunities.
Ifrane (65 km)
Nestled in the heart of the mountains, the town and its surrounding landscapes resemble Europe. Beyond its distinctive charm, Ifrane is also known for its namesake national park and the nearby Michlifen ski resort.
Nestled in the heart of the mountains, the town and its surrounding landscapes resemble Europe. Beyond its distinctive charm, Ifrane is also known for its namesake national park and the nearby Michlifen ski resort.
Meknes (60 km)
It neighbors Fez and, like it, holds imperial city status with a rich historical and cultural heritage that earned it UNESCO recognition.
It neighbors Fez and, like it, holds imperial city status with a rich historical and cultural heritage that earned it UNESCO recognition.
Moulay Idriss (65 km)
This holy city in Morocco is primarily known for the Roman ruins of Volubilis located on its outskirts.
This holy city in Morocco is primarily known for the Roman ruins of Volubilis located on its outskirts.
Ifrane National Park (80 km)
Just a few kilometres from Ifrane, the park is home to the largest cedar forest in the Maghreb. It offers stunning landscapes, several lakes, and is a popular spot for hiking and mountain fishing.
Just a few kilometres from Ifrane, the park is home to the largest cedar forest in the Maghreb. It offers stunning landscapes, several lakes, and is a popular spot for hiking and mountain fishing.
Tazekka National Park (90 km)
This park near Taza is home to a large population of Barbary stags. A tourist circuit lets you discover its natural wonders (forests, waterfalls, caves...). You can also go hiking and caving at the Friouato chasm.
This park near Taza is home to a large population of Barbary stags. A tourist circuit lets you discover its natural wonders (forests, waterfalls, caves...). You can also go hiking and caving at the Friouato chasm.
Sidi Harazem (15 km)
A thermal spa in the outskirts of Fes, highly popular with Moroccans and renowned for the healing properties of its mineral water.
A thermal spa in the outskirts of Fes, highly popular with Moroccans and renowned for the healing properties of its mineral water.
Volubilis (65 km)
This ancient Roman city near Moulay Idriss is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in all of North Africa.
This ancient Roman city near Moulay Idriss is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in all of North Africa.
Recommended
Fes Medina
★★★ The Fes Medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. It is the oldest district in the city, as well as the liveliest and most…
Meknes
★★★ It neighbors Fez and, like it, holds imperial city status with a rich historical and cultural heritage that earned it UNESCO recognition.
Ifrane National Park
★★★ Just a few kilometres from Ifrane, the park is home to the largest cedar forest in the Maghreb. It offers stunning landscapes, several…
Fes Souks
★★★ The place is very lively, with different zones based on trades as always.
Volubilis
★★★ This ancient Roman city near Moulay Idriss is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved ancient sites in all of North…
Worth a look / Other
Bab Bou Jeloud
★★ This remarkable gate, the most beautiful in the medina, dates from the early 20th century despite its classic Moorish decor. Intricate…
Ifrane
★★ Nestled in the heart of the mountains, the town and its surrounding landscapes resemble Europe. Beyond its distinctive charm, Ifrane is…
Tazekka National Park
★★ This park near Taza is home to a large population of Barbary stags. A tourist circuit lets you discover its natural wonders (forests…
Azrou
★ This town built at over 1,200 m is primarily a base for exploring the surrounding area, particularly Ifrane National Park with its fishing…
Bou Inania Madrasa
★ This madrasa, built by the Merinids in the 14th century, is one of the country's most remarkable. A patio separates the Quranic school from…
Andalusian Mosque
★ It owes its name to the Andalusian families expelled from Córdoba who founded the Andalusian district in 818. The mosque was built in 860…
Karaouiyne Mosque
★ Until the construction of the Hassan II Grand Mosque in Casablanca, the Karaouiyne was the largest religious building in Morocco. Founded…
Moulay Idriss
★ This holy city in Morocco is primarily known for the Roman ruins of Volubilis located on its outskirts.
Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts
★ This museum is located in the Dar Batha palace, built in the 19th century. It is renowned for its ceramics and bookbindings, though you can…
Borj Nord Museum
★ Borj Nord is a 16th-century fort north of Fez. It was once one of the city’s largest surveillance posts before becoming a prison…
Royal Palace of Dar el-Makhzen
★ It is not open to visitors, but you can admire its immense copper-engraved doors at Place des Alaouites.
Sidi Harazem
★ A thermal spa in the outskirts of Fes, highly popular with Moroccans and renowned for the healing properties of its mineral water.
New Town of Fez
★ The European-style new town with its wide avenues is the commercial hub. This is where people gather for strolls and traditional mint tea…