10 Best Places to Visit in Fes

The city’s old neighborhood is vibrant and one of the largest surviving medinas in the world.

Framed by the drama and glamour of Bab Boujloud gage and decorated with Madrasa Bou Inania’s minaret, its maze-like lanes create a meandering river of culture and history.

Photogenic, exciting, traditional, and colorful, a dynamic combination of historic and contemporary life immerses you in the city's wonders.

The 14th-century school is located in the antique neighborhood of Fes el Bali and captures the gorgeous design of the imperial city, with a courtyard adorned with remarkable craftsmanship.

The minaret mirrors the school grounds in its exquisite construction and design. Standing tall for more than two-thirds of a millennium, you can still find geometric tilework and distinct Arabic calligraphy, as well as light stucco work and carved cedar screens that create captivating features inside the school.

The souk can be seen as the heart of Morocco’s cultural and spiritual center. The market lanes are renowned for their vivacious colors and glowing artisan heritage that feature handcrafts like metalwork, ceramics, and the results of famed leatherwork demonstrated in the tanneries.

You can discover how ceramics bring out the natural blue dyes of local clay or enjoy the intricate woven carpets for which local artisans are known. From the specialty shops on smaller lanes to the enticing aromatics of spice shops, the souk embodies the essence of vibrancy in Fes.

The spices and perfumes of the nearby souk accentuate the grandeur of the 14th-century school. As a masterpiece of design crafted during the Marini Dynasty, the decoration speaks to a sophisticated aesthetic captured in the rectangular courtyard.

The cedar carving and stucco work accentuate intricate detail, while the glaze puts a shine on the checkered tilework. Green calligraphy on a white background and the soothing sound of trickling water add luster to the oasis in the courtyard, creating a haven away from the bustle of the old city.

You can embrace the beauty of the landscape in the city’s oldest park, which dates back to the 18th century. The patch of green juxtaposes the vibrant cityscape with a quiet, manicured, and tended collection of grass, water gardens, and fountains decorated with Zellige tiles.

Beds of roses arranged in geometric shapes parallel the Arabesque features found in the patterns across the mosques and madrasas. Palm, orange, and pine trees shade the walkways, add illustrious aromatics to the park, and guide your eye to the skyline of towering cypresses.

Within the old medina stands the soaring 18th-century gateway of Funduq al-Najjariyyin, crowned by its intricate cedar canopy.

The doorway looms with geometric and floral patterns, accentuated by the detailed tilework that embodies the focus of artisan craftsmanship. A fountain helped caravaners passing through the city, while the Zellige tiles and honeycomb plasterwork provide a touch of imperial opulence.

Three stories of galleries showcase exceptional wood carvings that reflect the city’s history, from furniture to doors, musical instruments to canopies, topped with a rooftop cafe that offers a panorama of the city.

Goldstone tombs may glint in the desert sunlight on the city's outskirts, capturing the opulence and beauty of the Marinid Tombs.

The summit on which the tombs stand provides a stunning view, while the ruins of the imperial grounds offer a sense of mystery, with little remaining of the original decoration.

Bask in the marvelous view over the medina walls, enjoy a remarkable sunset that turns the ruins fiery colors, or wander through the horseshoe arches and stucco walls as the call to prayer echoes across the city.

What was once a royal palace became the first museum in Morocco and retains a sense of wonder, evoked in the grand gardens and fine finishes. The galleries display approximately 6,000 pieces, from azure artisan tiles to intricate carpets and detailed astrolabes that speak to a historical connection with astronomy.

The combination of Arab and Andalusian architectural styles brings to life a serene garden complex through which you can wander beneath the trees, enjoy the geometric design, or listen to the trickling fountains.

With a vast forest of cork oaks and cedar trees shaped by the looming summit of Jebel Tazekka, the national park offers a surprising view of the wooded countryside and snowbound peaks, supported by the climate of the Middle Atlas Mountains.

The lush surface hides wonders, with a collection of caverns decorated with elaborate stalactites and stalagmites. Whether exploring the caves or searching for waterfalls surrounded by cherry, olive, and ash trees, Tazekka National Park embodies the natural world around Fes.

The tannery area in the souk has become one of Fes’ most famous landmarks and hides behind leather stores dating back to the medieval era. The dying pits possess a multitude of colors that shape the hues of clothing, shoes, and leather goods found across the city.

From the surrounding rooftops, you can better appreciate the colorful pits that span the hidden plaza and are best seen in the morning. The colors all come from natural, local pigments and shopkeepers are happy to explain the fascinating process as they share with you the incredible results.

Venture into the depths of medieval imperial history to indulge in vibrant Fes. With preserved mansions and access to remarkable nature, you can experience the movement of the tanneries, the sounds of the call to prayer, or the serene ambiance of the trails winding through Tazekka National Park.

Our Morocco tours and vacations and Morocco travel guide can inspire you to create the right personalized itinerary for your time in Fes.