There is really a lot to do in Fez! You will find many places of interest to visit in the city and fun activities to do in Fez and around ... Whether you come on weekends or to spend a week, it is impossible to get bored in this city.
In my opinion, here are the places to visit and the essential things to do in Fez during a short stay (between 2 and 4 days on-site).
WHAT TO DO IN Fez? (Places to visit)
1-The Medina(Fez El bali):
You may not find in Fez the modernity of Casablanca, or the bling-bling aspect of Marrakech, because Fez has preserved its traditional and spiritual values.
Its fortified Medina, steeped in history, is the perfect illustration of this. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, it remains one of the most sumptuous and best-preserved in the Arab world, hosting the city's leading cultural institutions.
Visiting Fez without wandering and getting lost in the alleys of its Medina would be a real shame because nothing could equal the pleasure of strolling in the medieval galleries, dotted with fountains, small palaces, and riads, of contemplating the magnificent architecture of the madrasah Bou Inania.
You can also admire the Karaouyine mosque, one of the oldest and most glorious in the Muslim world, or explore the Bar Batah museum, dedicated to the arts and traditions of the city.
During this escapade in the alleys of the souk of the Medina, you will discover the work of several craftsmen of this city, such as carpenters, saddlers, and leatherworkers, which will not fail to impress you.
What to do also, in Fez? We advise you at the end of the day to go through the north gate of the Medina and climb the heights of the Merinides tombs, from where the panoramic view of the city is simply breathtaking. It is also the ideal spot to admire the magnificent sunset.
2-Fez el jedid:
The Merenids built this "new city" in the 13th century when they realized that Fez el Bali would be too small to contain their palaces. The relatively large Royal Palace takes center stage here (not open to the public). Behind it, mosques and medersas fill the crowd with alleys. There is an air of tranquility in this small part of town, which sits between bustling Fes el Bali and the European-style New Town. It makes a peaceful and welcoming lull between these two faster worlds.
3-Quaraouiyine Mosque:
Built in 857 AD by Tunisian immigrants from the holy city of Kairouan, the Qaraouiyine Mosque was one of the most distinguished universities of the medieval period. As a working mosque, it is one of the largest worship centers in Morocco, with a prayer hall that can hold 20,000 people. The library is one of the oldest surviving in the world and contains over 30,000 books. Among the collection is a 9th century Koran. The Fes el-Bali complex cannot be entered by non-Muslims, but you can get an excellent view of the mosque from the rooftops of nearby restaurants.
4-The Medersa el-Attarine:
The Medersa el-Attarine was built in 1325 by Abu Said. The courtyard here is a beautiful display of intricate decor from this period, with elaborate zellige tiles and cedar wood carvings. The upper floor comprises a maze of cells, which once housed students studying theology at the Qaraouiyine Mosque (once one of the world's first universities). If you go up to the roof, you can have a fantastic view of the green tiled roof of the Qaraouiyine Mosque itself.
5-Mellah:
The old atmospheric Mellah (Jewish quarter) is in Fes el Jedid, just north of the Royal Palace. Throughout this compact neighborhood, the alleys are lined with beautiful (albeit very dilapidated) examples of early 20th-century houses, which once housed the vibrant Jewish community of Fez. The restored small Aben-Danan Synagogue can also be visited here. On the edge of the Mellah are the rambling Jewish cemetery, one of the city's most tranquil spots, and a Jewish museum housing a collection of artifacts showcasing Moroccan Jewish life and culture.
6-The tanners' quarter:
Here is another actual performance orchestrated in the style of ballet offered to visitors. It is that of leatherwork, a traditional art that has stood the test of time, anchored there and remains one of Morocco's stable identity traits, still on the agenda.
In this district to visit in Fez, you will have the opportunity to attend the different stages of manufacture of this material: drying of the skins, tanning, coloring in the basins, until the leather takes its final form of slippers, bags, or something else that you find in leather goods stalls.
This unforgettable visit will not leave you indifferent, if only because of this rather unbearable smell… This could take away all the charm of a visit to this district, although you will enjoy a mint drink when you leave the workshop. Will be offered to chase away the unpleasant odor a little.
We also recommend that you cover your nose with fresh mint leaves!
7-The Medersa Bou Inania of Fez:
Built under the Merinid dynasty in 1350, this Koranic school is well worth a detour if you plan a visit to Fez. It is one of the only religious monuments to welcome all audiences.
At the center of this monument with Arab-Moorish architectural design is a lovely central courtyard paved with marble slabs framed by carved wooden moucharabiehs. The courts on either side served as classrooms while the students lived upstairs.
This theological institution is the most important in the city. In addition, Friday prayers are organized in the adjoining mosque. Moreover, it is the only religious school with a superb green-tiled minaret overlooking the town. You can see as soon as you enter the Medina through Bab Bou Jeloud.
8-The Royal Palace:
It is one of the oldest palaces in Morocco and certainly one of the most precious. Built in the 14th century, it is also called Dar El Makhzen. Because of its large size of eighty hectares, it had been erected outside the old Medina. Today, it stands near Mellah, the Jewish quarter. Therefore, we are witnessing the creation of a new medina, as the name suggests, Fez el-Jdid, to comply with the needs of the palace.
Visits are admittedly not accepted, like most mosques and Moroccan palaces; however, we advise you to go and see this palace, even if you will be content to contemplate from its immense esplanade the majestic doors of various sizes which leads to the court.
Seven gates symbolize the seven days of the week but also embody the seven levels of the monarchy.
These doors are all in bronze, lined with a myriad of tiny ceramic tiles, dominated by two colors: blue, the city's symbol, and green, the symbolic color of Islam.
9-The Dar Batha Palace and Museum:
Sultan Hassan, I built the Batha Palace because this monarch wanted to bring together the two cities that makeup Fez, in this case, Fez-el-Baki and Fez-el-Djedid. This palace was later converted into a museum of crafts. You could find pottery and ceramics dating back to the 13th century and embroidery and jewelry dating from medieval times. The majority of ceramic objects are colored with the famous blue hue of Fez, a color obtained from cobalt.
The museum has an Andalusian-inspired garden, where you can stroll among the orange trees and holm oaks at your leisure. This stroll will be a bit enchanted interlude of a few minutes away from the din of the Medina.
Also, take advantage of this tour and take pictures of the lavishly adorned gates and massive padlocks that are used to close doors at night.
Other sights and things to do/see in Fez.
10-Jnan Sbil garden:
This small botanical park is a natural green lung of the city, mainly frequented by locals. Jnan Sbil created in the 18th century by the sovereign Moulay Abdallah is also the oldest public garden in Fez.
Admittedly, it was abandoned for a long time. Still, it subsequently regained its former glory and magnificence after significant rehabilitation works were undertaken in 1999.
Now, locals and visitors alike will have the opportunity to stroll through the shady alleys of this magnificent garden, lulled by the murmur of water.
The garden contains more than three thousand plant species spread over approximately seven hectares through various themed gardens. A little natural paradise of serenity.
11-Merinid tombs:
The Mérinides or Marinids are a dynasty which had ruled Morocco between the thirteenth and the fifteenth century. They settled in Fez for a period and created Fez El-Jdid. They had therefore left their imprints everywhere in Morocco and, more significantly, in Fez.
Therefore, here, in this imperial city of Morocco, you can find the remains of the Marinid tombs located at the highest point of the town.
Although the site itself is of little interest, we still recommend that you take a slight detour when visiting Fez.
Indeed, these tombs being located on a hill offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Medina and the surrounding mountains.
12-Seffarine square:
It is also another must-see place to visit because you will discover one of the faces of the craftsmanship of this city. What to see on this square in Seffarine? Here, you will meet many craftsmen who shape copper to make teapots, trays, perfume burners.
But there are also boilermakers whose job is to make pots, buckets, and various utensils.
12-Weapons museum:
This museum, inaugurated in 1963, contains an essential collection of weapons belonging to various periods of history. It is located in Borj Nord, a military citadel dating from the 16th century, which offers a sensational panoramic view over the city of Fez.
Arms from India, Europe, and Asia are displayed in its display cases. However, the most significant and most impressive part of the collection is made up of acquisitions of Moroccan origin.
This is the case, for example, with the 5-meter-long cannon that served during the Battle of the Three Kings, and which is also considered to be one of the museum's masterpieces.
In addition to the complete collection, which illustrates the development of weapon-making techniques throughout history, the museum offers a splendid panorama of the old town from its upper terrace.
13-Cooking lessons:
If you're a cooking enthusiast, it might be time for a little culinary getaway. Isn't this an opportunity to end your visit to Fez on a high note! It's not about eating; it's about taking cooking lessons. Indeed, various brands, like Café Clock, offer courses to prepare tagines and other refined dishes properly. This course will begin with the acquisition of ingredients in the souk, an activity in which you will be called upon to participate, and it will all end with a formal tasting.
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