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Fez
Africa · Morocco
See also
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Moulay Idriss
Morocco34.05°N 5.53°W · 530 m
Meknes
Morocco33.90°N 5.55°W · 535 m
Ifrane
Morocco33.53°N 5.12°W · 1,713 m
Chefchaouen
Morocco35.17°N 5.27°W · 564 m
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Oued Laou
Morocco35.45°N 5.08°W
Larache
Morocco35.18°N 6.15°W
Overview
Fez is the medieval capital of Morocco, home to the world's oldest university (Qarawiyyin University, 859) and the oldest continuously-operating library (1359). It has the best-preserved old city in the Arab world, the sprawling, labyrinthine medina of Fes el-Bali, which is the world's largest car-free urban zone.
Languages: Arabic, Berber
Why go?
Fez is the medieval capital of Morocco, home to the world's oldest university (Qarawiyyin University, 859) and the oldest continuously-operating library (1359). It has the best-preserved old city in the Arab world, the sprawling, labyrinthine medina of Fes el-Bali, which is the world's largest car-free urban zone. Transport is by donkey, carriage, and motorbike.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
The medina is the top attraction; get lost in the markets and see the leather-dyeing pits at the Tanneries. Visit Bou Inania Madrasa (20 dirham), Al Attarine Madrasa (20 dirham), the Nejjarine Museum (20 dirham), and the Merenid Tombs for panoramic views. Also see the Borj Nord fortress (20 dirham) and the Jnan Sbil garden (free). For a rooftop view, pay 30 dirham for tea at Sofitel Palais Jamai terrace.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Street food near Bab Boujeloud is cheap and safe. Restaurants include Bouanania (dishes around 40 dirham), Cafe Clock (good food, terrace views), and Le Palais de Fes (350 dirham for pastilla). Drinking is mostly in hotel bars; La Cave at Borj shopping center has a bottle shop. Alcohol is not publicly consumed.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in the Fez El Bali medina, close to sights. Budget options include Hotel Cascades (single 70 dirham, dorm bed 40 dirham) and HI youth hostel (dorm from 45 dirham). Mid-range riads like Dar Bouânania (double 250-400 dirham) offer traditional style. The new town is farther but has cheaper hotels like Hotel Volubilis (double 80 dirham).
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Safety
Fez is somewhat safe but crowded; watch for pickpocketing and false guides. Ignore touts, especially around tanneries. Be aware of scams: locals may invite you to 'eat with relatives' then pressure you into tours or carpet shops. Lone women may face harassment. Use metered taxis.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Many restaurants in the medina offer wifi. SIM cards with 4G and 1GB data are available from INWI for 30 dirham. Maroc Telecom also sells SIMs at the airport.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
A daily backpacker budget: dorm bed 40-45 dirham, cheap meal 25-40 dirham, local taxi 20 dirham. A leather satchel costs 200-400 dirham. Bargaining is expected.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Etiquette
Non-Muslims cannot enter mosques, though medrasas are open. Bargaining is a way of life. Shopkeepers and guides are assertive; learn to say no. Dressing modestly is respectful.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Take a day trip to the ancient Roman site of Volubilis, with stunning mosaics. Also nearby: Meknes (30 min by train), Chefchaouen, and the imperial cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, and Tangier.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Fez, onward destinations include Meknes (calmer medina), Chefchaouen (blue city), and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. Further afield: Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, and Tangier.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Camping Diamant Vert
Decent amount of shade, French toilets and (sometimes warm) showers
Recorded price: 25 dirham a person, 15 dirham per tent. Free access to the swimming pool.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Dar Anebar
Beautiful riad decorated in a traditional Moroccan style, but including a host of modern amenities. This place is really the best of both worlds: if you stay in the Dar Anebar Annex, you can enjoy the elegance of a riad, while still having access to the convenience of free wifi, hot showers, and French toilets. Also great location, just minutes from Bab Guissa
Recorded price: During the off-season, double rooms in the annex are only €65 per night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Dar Bennis
A traditional 18th-century house (riad) in the Medina for vacation or holiday rental for up to five people. This website also has lots of information about Fez museums, architecture, restaurants, real estate and monuments.
Recorded price: from €80 for entire house
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Bouanania
Enjoy lunch on the terrace or a leisurely dinner on the carpet-adorned second floor. The service is very friendly and more than willing to fire up the grill to make you the first brochettes of the day. Tagine, couscous, and other staples are well-done.
Recorded price: around 40 dirham, but prices are negotiable down to 25 dirham.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Cafe Clock
Magnificently restored house turned into a cafe. The people are friendly (and speak English) and the food is excellent. Ask to be seated on the terrace, and listen for the call to prayer coming from several minarets in the area. Bring a camera, especially during the day.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Chez Maimonide
Located in the home of Maimonides, the famous Jewish philosopher and rabbi. This restaurant is run by the Muslim family that now lives there, and is non-kosher.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
Dar Saada Restaurant
A favorite of Travel and Leisure magazine and is worth the indulgence.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- eat
L'Ambre
An elegant and superior dining experience in all of Morocco. Serving up Moroccan cuisine with innovative twists, food is served in one of three rooms, including a spectacular terrace.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
SIM cards from INWI for 30 dirham, 4G data available. Wifi in many cafes.
Culture
Non-Muslims cannot enter mosques. Dress modestly.
Food
Street food at Bab Boujeloud is cheap and safe. Try brochettes and tagine.
Health
Bed bugs reported at some riads; check before booking.
Language
French widely spoken, some English in tourist areas.
Money
Bargaining is expected; prices rarely fixed. Government-regulated fixed-price shop Artisana in Ville Nouvelle.
Safety
Pickpocketing common in medina. Beware of false guides and scams.
Transport
Petit taxi between train station and Bab Boujeloud about 20 dirham (use meter).