Fes Travel Guide

Steeped in history and culture, Fes is one of the world’s oldest medieval cities where reality mingles inextricably with legend.

Thanks to its winding alleys, its splendid and unique architecture, and its venerable medrasas, fondouks, palaces, residences fountains and mosques, Fes entertains thousands of curious travellers who seek meditation and want to quench their thirst for discovery of new horizons and exotic flavours.

The highlight of any visit to Fes is its medina, so important that it was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1981.

Fes was the first capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, established at the end of the 8th century AD under Driss II. Fes reached its height in the 13th century under the Merenides, when it replaced Marrakech as the capital of the kingdom.

Although the political capital of Morocco was transferred to Rabat in 1912, Fes remains one of the most important centres of Islamic intellectual and cultural life and a city of multiple facets.

Apart from the European town built after the First World War, there are two distinctly different areas of the city; Fes el Jédid ("the New") and Fes el Bali ("the Old").

Attractions in Fes

Fes’ historic importance is found in its many ancient monuments. The city has enough sights to keep you busy for many days. The streets are filled with mosques, medrasas, fondouks and monuments.

Among them, there is the Merenid tombs on the rim of the valley that gives you a spectacular overview of the city, the Boujeloud Gardens, a real haven with an open air café and many picnic spots, the Karaouine Mosque, the tanneries, and the Zaouia Moulay Idriss.

Activities in Fes

The Fes region reveals unfamiliar and sublimely beautiful Morocco. You need to travel only a few kilometres to escape from the bustle of the city to the tranquility of magnificent open spaces.

In the vast century-old forest of cedars in the Middle Atlas you can see barbary apes whilst Sidi Harazem and Moulay Yaacoub spas, Imouzer village, and Ait Serghouchen Kasbah are among the many sights travellers can enjoy.

Relaxing

Discover the virtues and the curative benefits of the hot spring water of Sidi Harazem, and relieve stress by getting relaxation massages at the Moulay Yaacoub Spa.

Getting Around

Petits taxis are cheap and available all over the city. If you are visiting the medina, be sure to wear comfortable shoes as you may end up walking a long way.