Known for
Fez is home to the largest car-free medina in the world and the oldest continuously operating university (al-Quaraouiyine, 859). A journey into an intact medieval Morocco.
What to see
Thousand-year-old open-air tanneries with their colorful dyeing vats.
💡 You will be handed a sprig of mint for the smell. The shop terraces offer the best view — a tip is expected.
Founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, considered the oldest university in the world.
A UNESCO labyrinth of alleys, fondouks, workshops and monumental gates.
The iconic blue gate, the main entrance to the medina.
What to do
The world’s largest car-free medina with a local guide.
Hands-on shaping and mosaic in a cooperative.
Imperial city and UNESCO-listed Roman ruins.
Where to eat
🍽️ Pigeon pastilla
Fès cuisine is reputed the most refined in Morocco.
🍽️ Tagine of the day, harira
Popular with locals, hearty and honest.
🍽️ Mint tea & pastries
A break with a view over the medina.
Where to stay & book
Traditional house with zellige tiles and a fountain.
Easier access by car, close to the ramparts.
Family welcome, home cooking.
Climate & temperature
☀️ Summer: Summer: 33 to 40 °C, hot and dry.
❄️ Winter: Winter: 15 °C by day, sometimes near 0 °C at night.
✅ Best time: April-June and September-October.
🧴 Very dense medina: closed, comfortable shoes are essential. · Stifling summer heat in the narrow alleys. · Cold, damp winter: bring a sweater and raincoat.
🎒 Walking shoes · Water bottle · Sweater (winter) · Anti-theft backpack
Safety & tips
💡 Local tip: Hire an official guide (ask to see their badge) for the Fès el-Bali medina: without one, you really will get lost among the 9,000 alleys.
Someone approaches you, claims your route is closed, or offers to guide you 'for free' to a square or landmark. Once there, they demand money, sometimes insistently.
✅ Refuse politely but firmly ('la, choukran' = no thanks) and keep walking. Use an offline map. A real guide carries an official badge. Never follow anyone who insists.
The driver refuses to turn on the meter ('it's broken') and then announces an inflated fare on arrival, sometimes 3 to 5 times the normal price.
✅ Ask for the meter before getting in. If the meter 'doesn't work', step out and simply take the next taxi — there are always others. If the driver insists or threatens you, call the police (19). Without a meter, agree on the price IN ADVANCE and ask your riad about the normal fare. Ride-hailing apps (inDrive, Careem) show the price upfront and avoid any dispute.
A woman grabs your hand and starts a henna tattoo 'as a gift', then demands a high price. Some black hennas contain allergy-triggering additives.
✅ Keep your hands close to you and refuse any contact. Never hold out your hand. Walk away at the very first approach.