Fez - Travel with Anny

Mystical, magical, remarkable city located in Morocco, Fez is a UNESCO world heritage site, and home to the oldest and largest medina in North Africa.

The city was once the capital of Morocco and is still widely viewed as the cultural epicenter of the country. Explore inside the medieval walls of the wonderfully chaotic medina, and discover towers of spices, traditional handicrafts, hammams, and tanneries. The past is alive here, so take one or two days to enjoy all the best things to do in Fez!

How to get to Fez

If you’re flying internationally into Morocco, Fes has it’s own airport ‘Fes Saiss’ which has just had a bit of a make over.

There are regular, daily flights to Fes from London through Ryanair and Air Arabia Maroc. There are no direct flights from the USA.

If you want cheap flights to Fes, travel in the off-peak season, between November and January.

The airport is located around 17km out of the city, so you will have to organise a taxi or a pick up from your hotel to reach the old Medina.

If you’re already in Morocco then you can reach Fes within 8 hours by train from Marrakesh, around 5 hours away from Chefchaouen or 4 hours from Casablanca.

Where to stay in Fez

In order to to get a more authentic Moroccan experience you definitely should consider the alternative to staying in a hotel: a riad!

What is riad?

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house with a garden on the inside. This inner courtyard acts as a sanctuary and respite from the outside world. Beautiful tile work, plants, and water features commonly grace this space, giving you a real feeling of peace and quiet.

Riads are known for being exquisite displays of intricate Moroccan architecture. Everywhere you look, you can see the beautiful, hand laid tile work Morocco is associated with.

I highly recommend two riads I was staying in Fes.

Riad Braya and Palais d’hôtes Suites & Spa.

Located in one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the Medina of Fez (old city) where time seems to have frozen through the centuries, Riad Braya, takes out its name from the blue color of the famous zellij of the city of Fez.

In this peaceful place, authentic structures (marble, zellij, sculpted plaster and shaped wood) and contemporary design meet in a refined harmony.

The staff was super friendly and helpful and made me feel really very welcomed.

Staying at Royal Suite was truly amazing experience.

Luxuriously furnished, it has 3.50 high ceiling with cedar beams on them, and offers a beautiful canopy King Size Bed, modern seating areas in the room and the private balcony.

You can book this accommodation here: http://www.booking.com/Share-Zja5NK

Another stunning riad to stay in Fes is the Palais d’hôtes Suites & Spa.

This Riad has been restored in the Maroccan tradition. Stained-glass windows, elaborately carved cedar doors, chandelier-style lanterns and intricate zellige tiles – might just be the most ornate hotel you’ll ever sleep in.
It offers comfortable rooms and suites, some of which have a private balcony. A restaurant and Spa on site mean there’s no need to head out after a long day’s sightseeing.

You can book this riad here: http://www.booking.com/Share-OhxwqOA

TOP 10 things to do in Fez:

Loose yourself in the Medina.

The medina of Fes (Fes el Bali) is the oldest and largest of North Africa and dates back to the 9th century!

Beyond all the tourist attractions, Fes itself is a tourist attraction. You will find beauty all around every corner. The sights, smells, colours, people and alleyways will be enough to assault all your senses and you will love it!

You will find everything here from leather good shops, Moroccan souvenirs, spices, meat, fruits, orange juice stands, pashmina’s in all different colours, jewellery, paintings, pottery and anything else you can think of.

No map can make sense of this place, and you’re sure to get lost, but that’s part of the fun!

2. Visit The Chaouwara tanneries.

Be sure to check out the world-famous tanneries of Fes! Discover hundreds of earthen pits full of various colored dye, which is used to color animal skins. The tanneries are a unique part of the Fes culture and are one of the best things to do on any Fes trip. However, be warned that the smell is quite strong!

They will give you a Moroccan gas mask (a sprig of mint) to mask the smell! Or, someone from the leather shops will have ‘guides’ who will happily show you the view.

3. Look inside of Africa’s Oldest University: Kairaouine

The Kairaouine Mosque is known to be the world’s oldest university and it is also the second-largest mosque in Morocco. It is one of the most important religious buildings in Fes and as such, only Muslims are allowed inside. Although tourists can’t access the interior, you can take a glimpse through several of the entrance gates.

4. Wonder at Bou Inania Madrassa

It is an iconic religious building in the center of the medina. The building, constructed in the 14th century, was once a school. However, now its extraordinary architecture is on display to the public. Explore its magnificent marble courtyard, intricate wood carvings, and endless mosaic tilework in a variety of greens.

Unfortunately for me, the Al-Attarine Madrasa was closed, so I couldn´t visit this marvel.

5. Pass through the Bab Bou Jeloud gate.

The elegant minaret of the Bou Inania Madrasa can be seen through the horseshoe arch of Fes el-Bali’s great western gateway.

What has earned the gate so much affection is its fassi tilework, in a vivid blue on the outer wall and green on the interior. Car traffic is not permitted beyond this point, and dawn to dusk the artery behind it is a parade of pedestrians, mules, donkeys and mopeds.

6. Walk around The Royal Palace

The royal family and government still frequently use this building, so sadly tourists aren’t allowed inside. However, the stunning walls made up of blue mosaic tiles, and the magnificent bronze doors, make it a top thing to do in Fes. Tourists can also wander through the lovely, green palace gardens outside.

7. Bab Makina Plaza

If you find yourself here while poking around the city you’ll be confronted by a row of three heavy wooden doors in horseshoe arches and flanked by high square towers topped with pointed merlons.

8. Stroll through the Mellah, or Jewish Quarter.

Although it no longer is home to the Jewish community, you can still see its rich history. Take in the architecture, visit the Aben-Danan Synagogue, and shop the antique boutiques. The Jewish cemetery is also in the area and worth stopping by.

9. Enjoy Maroccan traditional food.

Moroccan dishes are influenced by Berber, Jewish, Arab, and French cultures. My favorite was:

Tagine. It’s a clay cooking pot with a conical lid with multiple types of dishes slow cooked inside (beef, lamb, chicken, veggies, etc.;
Couscous. Originally from Morocco and typically served with meat or vegetable stew. Traditionally, they prepare couscous on the Muslim holy day (Friday) and for special occasions, but you can find it at most restaurants and cafes;
Pastilla. It is a stuffed pastry from Morocco, also known as b’stilla or bastilla. The rich, sweet and savory pie is filled with an unusual mix of pigeon or chicken meat, eggs, almonds, and cinnamon.

10. Visit Nejjarine Square and Museum.

The museum is home to woodworking tools and beautiful woodwork. Located near the carpenter district of the Medina, the square hosts architecture dating back to the 18th century.

Tips and Tours: How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Fes

Full-Day City Sightseeing Tour. Guided tour is a great option if you’re short on time, as you´ll explore all the highlights of the city in one day with a qualified guide.
Chefchaouen Day Trip. This is a great way to fit a visit to one of northern Morocco’s highlights into a Fes trip.

I´ve made these tours with @jade_tour_fes_marrakech, you can find them on Instagram. Also they´ve arranged the pick-up service from Fes airport to Medina. Absolutely good service with very kind and welcoming staff.

About Chefchaouen

A maze of winding streets and tight-knit passageways gives the legendary blue city of Chefchaouen a unique charm all of its own.

Chefchaouen, close to the popular port of Tangier is named as such because a mountain range above the city that looks like two chaouen or goat’s ‘horns’. The city lies between the horns.

This town was built by Spanish exiles as a fortress against in Portuguese in 1471, who were as you will know still ruthless, powerful kings of the sea at the time.

This quirky town is probably one of the prettiest I’ve seen in the world because of its blue-washed streets and buildings. That’s why it got nicknamed “the Blue Pearl of Morocco.

There are many different theories to why Chefchaouen is so blue:

Some say that the shades of blue on the walls keep the mosquitoes away, others believe that the blue helps to keep the houses cool during the warm summer months. The most popular theory is that it was painted blue by the Jews who fled to Chefchaouen to escape the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th century.

TOP 5 things to do in Chefchaouen:

1. Get lost in the Old Medina of Chefchaouen. There are so many small streets that you literally will lose your way at some point. You’ll discover many enchanting squares, doors and dead-end alleys that are all very photogenic.

2. Visit the Souk. If you happen to be in Chefchaouen on a Monday or a Thursday, you should definitely visit the “souk”, the Moroccan word for market.

3. Shop at local Bazaars. Many of the small streets in Chefchaouen are occupied by little bazaars that sell local crafts, arts, clothes, and traditional souvenirs. It´s a great place to shop your souvenirs.

4. Visit Kasbah Museum. This ethnographic museum is located in the center of the old medina, right near Plaza Uta el-Hammam and is surrounded by a beautiful lush garden.

5. Have a lunch at Plaza Uta El-Hammam. The square is lined with restaurants and little cafes where you can enjoy a traditional Moroccan dish or tea while breathing in the local atmosphere of the plaza.