The Best Things to Do in Fes

The Best Things to Do in Fes - Marrakech Desert Tours

The Best Things to Do in Fes

The Best Things to Do in Fes

Monday 02 Novomber 2023

Fez is a charming city that attracts tourists from all over the world.Indeed, it is an ancient city surrounded by hills and forests, making it one of the most beautiful Moroccan cities, with authentic Moroccan architecture that has not been touched by any modern architectural intervention.Not only is this city notable for its narrow streets and arched entrances, but it also has a rich historical heritage, with medieval Roman ruins as well as imperial ruins dating back to the third century.Therefore, if you're considering visiting Fez, we cordially invite you to investigate the top things to do in this stunning Moroccan city:

1. Medina

Many consider this to be the largest walled city in the Arab world, with similar dark, narrow, and staggered streets. When visiting it, keep in mind that you will undoubtedly become disoriented, but you should not be concerned because this is all part of the fun.The Medina is commonly used to refer to both Old Fez (Fes el-Bali) and the newer Fes el-Jdid, which was founded in the 13th century during the Marinid Dynasty. Fez reached its cultural apex during this period, becoming a capital and giving rise to madrasas, mosques, and some of the city defenses that still stand today.

2. Bou Inania Madrasa

The Bou Inania School in Fez, founded between 1350 and 1355 by Sultan Abu Inan Al-Marini, is one of the most famous schools in Fez and Morocco in general.This is also the only religious school in Fez with its own minaret, which is a work of art and widely regarded as the best in the city.The courtyard's ablution fountain still runs after more than 750 years.

3. Bab Bou Jeloud

This is Fez's most famous gate, and it is located on the northwest side of the city, next to Al-Basha Al- Baghdadi Square. This gate is considered the main entrance to Fez by many.The most distinctive feature of this large and high gate is its attractive decoration, which is decorated in bright blue on the outer wall and green on the inside.Additionally, as soon as you enter directly from the gate, you will see that there are some of the top locations to eat the traditional Moroccan fare that is loved by many foreign tourists.

4. Al-Attarine Madrasa

Despite its small size, Al-Attarine Madrasa, located north of the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in Fez, is regarded as one of the most beautiful Moroccan schools. This is due to its exquisite decorations, which distinguish it as a rare urban masterpiece.It was built between 1323 and 1325 AD by the Marinid Sultan Abu Sa’id Uthman II, who is said to have personally supervised its construction at the start,This school is made up of an open courtyard with a water basin, a square prayer hall, and halls ready to receive students and teachers.This school was distinguished by its distinctive and one-of-a- kind decoration, thanks to the various techniques used by Moroccan artists in decorating their landmarks, and they demonstrated great ingenuity in dealing with various materials, the most important of which are Atlantic cedar wood, stone, and ceramic mosaic known as zellij and gypsum.

5. Jardin Jnan Sbil

The oldest park in the city, located between Fes el-Jdid and Fes el-Bali, was landscaped in the 18th century on the orders of Sultan Moulay Abdallah,A rare patch of green space where you can get away from the crowds in the Medina for a few minutes and enjoy the nice weather and greenery,The garden features a large pond and water gardens with geometric fountains adorned with zellige tiles, all surrounded by geometric beds of roses, cacti, and low boxwood hedges.

6. Funduq al-Najjariyyin

One of Fez's most famous buildings, Funduq al-Najjariyyin, dates from the seventeenth century and is located in Nejjarine Square, in the heart of Fez's old city, near the Henna market,It was declared a national monument in 1916 and also a World Heritage Site by UNESCO,The Funduq, commissioned by Alaouite Sultan Ismail Ibn Sharif, has been preserved as a woodwork museum.,Additionally, you can visit and have fun while exploring the three floors of the galleries and viewing a collection of exquisite wood carvings,The opportunity to view a display of furniture, doors, musical instruments, awnings, and other architectural components, as well as conventional carpentry tools, will also be wonderful there,Additionally, there is a rooftop cafe where you can enjoy a cup of mint tea and a panoramic view of the city.

7. Sahrij Madrasa

In the Moroccan city of Fez, there is a historic school called Madrasa Sahrij. It was constructed in 1321 during the reign of Sultan Al-Hassan Al-Marini,The architecture used in the construction and decoration of this school is similar to that of the other Marinid schools in Fez, where the doors and wooden ceilings are meticulously carved and decorated with very beautiful geometric shapes.

8. Zaouia Moulay Idriss II

Zaouia Moulay Idriss II is an Islamic complex that includes a mosque and a school, located in the Moroccan city of Fez,It is dedicated to the tomb of Idris II, who ruled Morocco from 807 AD to 828 AD and is considered the main founder of the city of Fez,It is now regarded as one of the most important historical monuments in the ancient city of Fez (El-Bali),It is worth noting that the Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II, as part of the Medina of Fez, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981 and is now considered a shrine for people from all over the world.
Important note: Non-Muslims are welcome to visit the complex and see the white marble fountain dating from the 18th century in the courtyard, the carved and ornate wood ceilings and many other interesting and eye-catching things.

9. University of al-Qarawiyyin (Mosque)

Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque is one of the historical mosques in Morocco. It is located in Morocco, specifically in the city of Fez, which is located in the northeast of Morocco,This mosque was built in 859 AD, making it one of Morocco's oldest and most ancient mosques. Originally, this mosque was built for religious purposes,However, the importance of the “Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque” increased with the passage of time, as its role was not limited to worship only, but rather became a house of knowledge.Therefore, we find that "Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque" is not only the oldest mosque in history but also the first university for science in the world.

10. Place Seffarine

Place Seffarine is a small square in the old city of Fez,It is located south of the University of Al- Qarawiyyin, near the Oued Bou Khrareb, which runs through the heart of the old city. The square's history dates back to the Middle Ages, but it has also undergone renovations in the modern era. In addition, what distinguishes this square is that it is a wonderful place visited by locals and tourists at any time of day because it is filled with shops of artisans who make handmade copper pots, clay pots, and many other things that can entice any foreign tourist.

11. El Glaoui Palace

El Glaoui Palace is considered one of the most important historical monuments in Morocco and one of the finest palaces in Fez.The palace was built between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when it was owned by the Pasha of Marrakech at the time, by Thami El Glaoui,This palace is notable for its distinctive and appealing design, which includes approximately 1000 rooms, 30 fountains, two gardens, a Quranic school, a Moroccan bath for men and another for women, and an oil mill and a wheat mill.