Things to do in  Fez

Forming the northeast corner of Fez, the Medina of Fez (Fes El-Bali is a dizzying introduction to the city’s culture, crafts, and commotion. Dating to the ninth century, the UNESCO-listed warren of lanes, shops, and souks is girded by 13th-century walls and ornamental gates.

Discover the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in an 18th-century fondouk (a type of travelers inn) in Fez, Morocco. Offering visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s past, the museum showcases ancient artifacts as well as exhibits displayed in the splendor of the building’s elegant courtyard.

One of the most beautiful Islamic colleges in all of Fez, the 14th-century Al-Attarine Madrasa (Medersa el-Attarine is a tribute to medieval Moroccan craftsmanship. Gorgeous mosaic tiles, filigree plasterwork, and fine carved cedar decorate the courtyard and the prayer hall, while the upstairs rooms show how simply aspiring scholars lived.

Stretching atop the Jebel Zerhoun plateau in northern Morocco, the Roman ruins of Volubilis are a striking sight, especially in summer when its abloom with wildflower Some of the best-preserved ruins in Northern Africa, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into ancient Morocco—and makes for a nice day trip from Fez or Meknes.

Formerly the main residence of the sultan, the Royal Palace of Fez (Fes Dar el-Makhzen) is still used by the King of Morocco when he is in the city of Fez. Surrounded by high walls, it spans an area of 195 acres (80 hectares). It is closed to visitors, who can only admire the imposing and ornate main entrance from the outside.

The Fez Mellah, in the center of Fez, Morocco, was the city’s Jewish quarter from the mid-15th century until after World War II. This walled quarter served as a barrier to protect the Jewish community from attack by other Fez residents. Today, the neighborhood offers explorers an insight into Moroccan history with architecture that stands in contrast to the surrounding old medina.

Also known as Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the little town of Moulay Idriss is Morocco’s spiritual capital and home to the nation’s most important pilgrimage site, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss. It’s a traditional place, with whitewashed houses rolling over the hills and a relaxed vibe compared to hectic Fez or Marrakech.

Whether you spell it Bab Bou Jeloud, Bab Boujeloud, or Bab Boujloud, you’ll most likely pass through the famous “Blue Gate of Fez” on any visit to Fez Medina. Decorated with fine mosaic tiles, blue on the outside, and green on the inside, the triple-arch gate is less historic than you might think. French colonialists built it in 1913.

Founded in the 11th century, mellow little Meknes is the most intimate of Morocco’s imperial cities. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its regal remnants pay tribute to Moulay Ismail, sultan from 1672 to 1727, with gorgeous tilework, elegant madrasas, a splendid mausoleum, and perhaps Morocco’s most spectacular gate—the Bab Mansour.

Holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest continually operating university in the world, the Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin is one of Fez’s most important cultural landmarks. Established in 859 AD, its latticed minaret and series of green-tiled roofs are visible from rooftops across the medina.

The Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II (Zaouia de Moulay Idriss II, sometimes spelled “zawiya,” is one of Fez’s most sacred places. A religious school and mausoleum, it houses the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, who made the city great in the ninth century. His body, apparently uncorrupted, was discovered in 1308, when most of the structure dates from.

Small but perfectly formed, cobbled Nejjarine Square (Place Nejjarine is one of Fez’s most atmospheric little squares. It’s known for the 18th-century Nejjarine Fountain, with its gorgeous zellige mosaics, and the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in the Fondouk Nejjarine, a historic trading inn.

Note: The Dar Batha Museum is temporarily closed. One of Fez’s most notable museums, home to a vibrant collection of Moroccan arts and crafts, the Dar Batha Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts) makes a worthwhile addition to any sightseeing trip, offering a unique insight into Fez’s artistic heritage. The vast permanent collection includes everything from hand-painted ceramics to antique Berber carpets to gold-plated astrolabes, alongside traditional jewelry, leatherwork, earthenware, woodwork, and embroidery, with artifacts dating from the 14th century to modern day. The surroundings are equally impressive, with the museum housed in a beautiful Hispano-Moorish palace built by Moulay el Hassan in the 19th century and featuring a tranquil garden and café.

One of Fez’s best-known and most beautiful madrasas (islamic schools), Bou Inania Medersa (Madrasa Bou Inania) pierces the medina skyline with its green-tiled mosque minaret. The interior is a feast of tilework, stucco, horseshoe arches, and filigreed latticework screens, with an original 14th-century fountain that worshippers still use today.

Take a break from the busy buzz of Fez, especially the medina, with a stroll in the Jnan Sbil Garden. It’s a welcome breath of fresh air, with plenty of lush greenery different from the surrounding sand-colored desert. The gardens are over 100 years old and have been recently spruced up. There are over 3,000 species of plants to wander around.