Fez radiates a singular aura, unique in the Moroccan panorama. It is not only a city, but a real open -air museum where thirteen centuries of history are kept within the walls of ancient Medina, recognized by UNESCO as a heritage of exceptional universal value.
The oldest of the Moroccan imperial cities, with its medina of 9,000 intertwined alleys – the largest pedestrian area in the world – hides corners of extraordinary beauty and authenticity far from the beaten routes.
These secret places tell thirteen centuries of history and allow you to immerse themselves in the true soul of this open-air city city, where the art of ancestral life is expressed through traditional crafts, refined architecture and one of the most delicious gastronomies in the world. If you are planning a trip to Morocco, here are seven hidden gems of Fez who will allow you to discover the most authentic and surprising face of the imperial pearl.
Medine
Founded in the ninth century, Fez’s Medina is made up of two distinct cities: Fes El Bali and Fes El Djedid. With its incredible 9,000 intertwined alleys, it represents the largest pedestrian area in the world. This medieval labyrinth is not only among the largest, but also among the best preserved in the Islamic world.
The main entrance takes place through Bab Boujloud, a majestic monumental door built in 1913 which replaces the original of the twelfth century. Decorated with blue glazed ceramic tiles outside and green inside, according to the refined Moresco-Andaluso style, this door is considered the most beautiful of the medina and represents an excellent starting point for the exploration of Fes El Bali.
Going into the medina, you discover an extraordinary architectural heritage:
The Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque: the oldest university in the world
In the beating heart of the Medina di Fez there is a place that is at the same time spiritual, cultural and academic symbol: the large Al-Qarawiyyin mosque (also known as Al-Karaouine). Even if access is reserved for Muslim faithful only, its imposing architecture and its history fascinate anyone who passes into its own.
Founded in the year 859 by Fatima al-Fihriya, a visionary and cultured daughter of a rich merchant, al-Qarawiyyin is not only one of the oldest mosques in the Islamic world, but is also recognized as the oldest university still active in the world. Originally a place of prayer and study of the Koran, over time it has been transformed into an important center of knowledge, opening the doors also to scientific, humanities and legal subjects.
Today, Al-Qarawiyyin continues to represent the intellectual and religious soul of Fez. Even just observing it from the outside, the size of a place that has formed generations of scholars and which, still today, houses centuries of history, culture and spirituality, is perceived.
The Medrasa Bou Inia
One of the few Islamic religious buildings open to non -Muslims. Built in the second half of the 1300s, it is considered among the most beautiful in Morocco thanks to its rich decorations that include inlaid cedar wood, Zellige tiles and a marble entrance courtyard. He is the only Fez madrasa to have a minaret.
Fez’s concerts (Chouara)
Famous all over the world, these medieval concerts still use 16th century processes to treat cow, camel, sheep and goat skin. The show of the cisterns with alveolus colored with natural pigments such as turmeric yellow, indigo blue and mint green, where workers with naked legs immersed in the colors clean, soften and dye the skins, is an unforgettable experience.
Mellah
The ancient Jewish neighborhood in the heart of Fez El Jedid, founded in 1438 by the Merinid Dynasty. It is distinguished architecturally from the Muslim areas for the characteristic external balconies with railing that adorn the facades of the buildings, in contrast with the traditional Moroccan houses whose windows open only towards the inside of the courtyard (Riad).
The Borj Nord Museum that (almost) nobody visits
The Borj Nord Museum represents an extraordinary cultural resource in the panorama of Fez, too often ignored by traditional tourist routes. Housed within an imposing fortress of 1582 that stands majestic on the old city, this exhibition space offers a unique perspective on Moroccan military history through the centuries. The building itself, originally part of the defensive system that surrounded the imperial city, constitutes the first reason for interest in visitors, with its military architecture that testifies to the strategic ingenuity of the time.
The museum collection includes over 5,000 finds, many of which from real donations, distributed in 13 thematic rooms that tell the evolution of Moroccan war art. Each section reveals not only the technological aspect of weapons, but also their artistic and cultural value, revealing how local craftsmen have been able to merge functionality and beauty. Among the most impressive pieces stand out the daggers and the kicks of finely decorated rifle with precious stones, testimony of the artisan refinement that characterized the production of weapons in the kingdom.
The real protagonist of the collection, however, is a monumental bronze cannon of the 16th century, with an extraordinary weight of 12 tons, which represents not only a masterpiece of military engineering of the time, but also a symbol of power and technological sophistication achieved by Morocco in that historical period. This imposing weapon, together with the other exhibits, offers visitors a complete immersion in the military traditions of the country, revealing aspects of Moroccan culture that go far beyond the usual tourist stereotypes.
Zouia of Moulay Idriss II: Fez’s spiritual heart (to see, even just from outside)
In the heart of the medina, between narrow alleys and incense perfume, there is the Zouia of Moulay Idriss II, one of the most sacred places in Morocco. Built in the thirteenth century, it houses the tomb of the founder of Fez, direct descendant of the prophet Muhammad, whose body – according to tradition – was found right here in 1308, five centuries after his death.
The entrance to the mausoleum is allowed only to Muslims, but also those who cannot access inside can still go up to the threshold and admire the precious architectural details: colored majolica, wooden carvings and Arab calligraphies that can be seen from the surrounding corridors.
Visiting Zaouia, even just from afar and with the help of a local guide, means touching the spiritual soul of the city with your hand and discovering a place that continues to inspire devotion and respect, well beyond religious borders.
The Andalusian district: the other soul of Fez
Often ignored by hasty visitors, the Andalusian district of Fez is one of the most authentic and fascinating areas of the medina. Born between the IX and the tenth century, he hosted the Muslim families who escaped from Spain after the Reconquista. Here the Andalusian influence is still breathed today, in the decorations of the houses, in the architecture of the mosques and in the calm and collection atmosphere that contrasts with the chaos of the most central areas.
Among its treasures there is the Andalusian mosque, less known than Qarawiyyin, but equally rich in history and beauty. The alleys around are full of shops where time seems to have stopped: tintori, blacksmiths, leather craftsmen and copper work as if they were still in the Middle Ages.
For those looking for the most intimate and less scenic Fez, the Andalusian neighborhood is an obligatory stop. Just get lost in its streets to discover the true essence of the city: a mix of cultures, silences and forgotten stories.
A city: three souls
Fez is divided into three distinctive parts:
- Fès El Bali (the ancient medina)
- Fès-jdid (the new Fez, headquarters of the Mellah)
- Ville Nouvelle (the most recent French expansion)
This triple soul of the city offers the visitor a journey through different eras, from the Middle Ages to modernity, without ever losing the wire of tradition.
What you eat in Fez
Fez’s cuisine is considered one of the best in the world. Stopping to taste local specialties in one of the numerous restaurants in the Medina is an essential part of the experience in this imperial city.
Although the traditional Fez cuisine is rich in meat dishes, the city also offers numerous vegetarian delights that reflect the richness of the local ingredients. Soups like La Bissaracreamy preparation based on dry beans seasoned with cumin, paprika and olive oil, represent a substantial and completely vegetable dish loved by the premises. Also Hariraalthough often prepared with meat, it is proposed in excellent vegetarian versions during the summer months or for those who follow a Plant-Based diet, rich in lentils, chickpeas, tomato and a bouquet of aromatic herbs.
For breakfast or as a snack, Fez offers delicious vegetarian options such as Msemen, browned focaccia served with honey or jam, or harcha, sweet bread -based bread, accompanied by the inevitable sugary mint tea.
The desserts represent a separate chapter in the gastronomy of Fez, with completely vegetarian specialties such as the Kaab El Ghazal (Gazzella horns), a crescent pastry pastries stuffed with almond paste perfumed to orange flowers, or chebakia, fried sweets in the shape of a honey set and sprinkled with sesame seeds.
In the restaurants of Medina and in private homes that offer traditional cuisine experiences, visitors can always request vegetarian dishes, which are prepared with the same care and attention to the details of their meat -based counterparts.
A complete visit
To adequately discover all Fez treasures, at least three or four days are needed. In addition to the sites already mentioned, they deserve a visit Dar Batha Museum, the Borj-North Museum and the Merenid Tombsan archaeological site that also offers a splendid panorama of the old city. Just outside Fez there is the Jardine Majorellea true naturalistic paradise.
Fez is a modern city that does not forget its past, where the arts and treasures of the ancestors are still alive. It is a unique place where every corner hides a surprise: a perfume that attracts attention, a souk to discover, terraces where to observe craftsmen at work. It is the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco, a treasure of history, art and tradition that continues to enchant visitors from all over the world.
