The historic city of Fes in Morocco boasts the best-preserved ancient walled city in the Arab world filled with historical buildings, interesting old architecture, colorful street life, and shopping opportunities. The World Heritage –listed old city of Fès el Bali includes the oldest continuously operating university and the largest car-free urban zone in the world, and now also hosts many beautifully restored old hotels and a nice variety of Moroccan food.
Historical city of Fes (also called Fez) is the fourth largest city in Morocco located in the mountainous inland of northern Morocco. It was founded as early as in 789 AD and has been a capital of the country for several times in history. As one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and known as the Athens of Africa, Fes hosts a great amount of historical attractions. There is also a French-designed modern Ville Nouvelle area that is the commercial center of Fes today. Fez is becoming a popular place for Western people to visit or to study Arabic language.
Bazaars & fortresses. Shopping in Fes is great for local handicrafts, leather goods, textiles, and food. There are well-marked trails through the old city, with green, orange or blue signs. There are many shops and restaurants in the old city of Fez with rooftop terraces with nice views over the city. The hills around Fes host two fortresses, Borj Nord and Borj Sud.
More attractions. The several colorful festivals in Fes can be enjoyed by visitors, and Arabic language schools in Fes offer study packages with accommodation with local families. Golf in Fes is available around the year in nearby courses, and there are also interesting nearby sights such as the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis and the nearby city of Meknes with a less crowded medina.
Historical city of Fes (also called Fez) is the fourth largest city in Morocco located in the mountainous inland of northern Morocco. It was founded as early as in 789 AD and has been a capital of the country for several times in history. As one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and known as the Athens of Africa, Fes hosts a great amount of historical attractions. There is also a French-designed modern Ville Nouvelle area that is the commercial center of Fes today. Fez is becoming a popular place for Western people to visit or to study Arabic language.
Sights and activities in Fes: the historic old city, shopping, festivals & golf
Medina of Fès el Bali, the famous historic old city of Fes is filled with beautiful traditional houses, old mosques and Islamic schools, lively markets, as well as sounds and smells that overwhelm your senses. The popular historic sites in Fes include the 14th century religious school of Medersa Bou Inania, an excellent example of old Arabic architecture. The University of Al-Karaouine is the oldest still working university in the planet, offering an interesting library to visit, and the beautiful Al-Tijani Mosque can be admired by non-Muslims from the outside. The tomb of the founder of Fes, Moulay Idriss II, lies in a mosque near the Souk Attarine and the Merenid Tombs offer beautiful views over the old city. The old tanneries in Fes where leather and textiles are dyed are also worth a visit.Bazaars & fortresses. Shopping in Fes is great for local handicrafts, leather goods, textiles, and food. There are well-marked trails through the old city, with green, orange or blue signs. There are many shops and restaurants in the old city of Fez with rooftop terraces with nice views over the city. The hills around Fes host two fortresses, Borj Nord and Borj Sud.
More attractions. The several colorful festivals in Fes can be enjoyed by visitors, and Arabic language schools in Fes offer study packages with accommodation with local families. Golf in Fes is available around the year in nearby courses, and there are also interesting nearby sights such as the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Volubilis and the nearby city of Meknes with a less crowded medina.
Photo: Lietmotiv, used under Creative Commons License (By SA 2.0)
Fes travel information and practical tips
Fes enjoys a dry Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool winters. Springs and autumns in Fès are pleasantly mild, whereas weather in the summer days can be very hot. The temperatures vary a lot with the altitude and time of the day. Most of the annual rainfall is received in winter or in spring.Traveling to Fes is easy by air. The international airport of Fès receives flights to Fes from Europe and elsewhere in Morocco. There are also good railroad connections to Fes from other cities in Morocco. Buses to Fes and shared inter-city taxis called grand taxis are also available from other Moroccan cities.
Local transport in Fes is handled by uncomfortable local buses and private taxis called petit-taxi. Car rental in Fes is also available. Walking is the best form of transportation in the old city area with its narrow and crowded streets.
Visitor services. Hotels in Fes are available in many forms from cheap guesthouses to luxurious hotels located in renovated old buildings in the old city. Restaurants in Fes offer mainly local Moroccan cuisine that is renowned worldwide. Nightlife in Fes exists mainly within major hotels, as the city remains quite traditional and it is not legal to drink in public.
Safety. Fez is a rather safe place to visit, although some petty crime such as pick-pocketing in local buses and crowded places and scams involving false guides exist. Use common sense, dress conservatively, and take a good care of your valuables and you should be fine.
