Top 8 places to visit in Fez

Top 8 places to visit in Fez

Fez is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco along with Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat and the third most important city in the country. It is considered the religious and cultural capital of the country, home to one of the oldest universities in the world and shocking in many ways.

Many travelers are dumbfounded when they arrive in Fez. Loved by some and hated by others, it is a city of contrasts, with a fascinating history and hundreds of corners to discover. If you want to know what to see and do in Fez, we will tell you all about it!

1. Chouwara Tanneries

The most emblematic image of Fez is that of its tanneries. They are located inside the medina, and visit the roofs of the artisans to contemplate the curious image of the tanneries, is one of the things to do in Fez. Seeing the colorful tankets and the tanners working the leather is a spectacular sight and a unique experience. Of course, you will have to hold your breath because the smell at this point of the medina can be shocking and not all travelers can stand it. But it is worth the trip to Fez and enjoy this Moroccan tradition.

2. Sefarine Square

Within the medina are located numerous attractions of the city, and one of the must-see places in Fez is the Seffarine Square, a small square located in the heart of the medina.

Here it is easy to travel back in time, contemplating the artisan coppersmiths who work the metal to give it precious forms of pots, teapots or trays. In addition to the workshops, the area around the Place Seffarine is full of other craftsmen such as dyers and tanners. If you want to take home a souvenir of Fez, this is the place to be!

3. R’cif Square

Another place not to be missed in the medina of Fez is the R’cif square. After enjoying the clanging of the hammers in the Seffarine square, walk to the R’cif square to rest from the bustle of the medina is one of the best things to do in Fez.

Located in the lower part of the city, the R’cif square is one of those places where you can enjoy the tranquility and contemplate the daily life of the locals. Here it is easy to see children playing, the elderly chatting quietly and street vendors setting up their stalls to sell their products.

4. Bab Boujloud or The blue door

One of the must-sees in Fez is Bab Boujeloud, better known as the Blue Gate. It is one of the great attractions of Fez, welcoming travelers and visitors who want to enter the labyrinthine streets of the Medina.

Built in 1913 is the main entry point to get lost in the heart of Fez, and one of the most beautiful places in the city. Although at first you might think that the gate was built for defensive purposes, nothing could be further from the truth. The entrance, decorated with blue tiles representing the color of the city, and green in relation to Islam, has a purely decorative function.

Besides admiring the beauty of Bab Boujeloud, one of the best things to do in Fez is to walk around the gate. Living the daily life of its inhabitants and relaxing in one of the many restaurants and terraces in the area. Don’t forget your camera! You will not stop taking pictures of this corner of Fez.

5. Al Karaouine Mosque

The Al Karaouine Mosque is another must-see in Fez. It is known for housing the oldest university in the world and is also one of the most important centers of Koranic learning in Morocco.

It was built in 859 and is one of the most spectacular architectural complexes in Fez. In the 17th century it housed more than 300,000 works and manuscripts in its library and was when Fez began to be considered one of the most important cultural centers in Morocco.

As with other mosques in the Islamic world, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, so the Al Karaouine Mosque can only be visited from the outside.

6. Exploring the medina of Fez

The medinas of Morocco are one of those places in the cities that must be visited, and the case of Fez was not going to be less! The medina of Fez is divided into two large areas: Fez-el Bali and Fez-jdid. Both are fascinating and visit them are one of the things we can not fail to do in Fez, as its narrow streets are full of secrets to discover.

7. Fez Royal Palace

Built in the XIV century, the royal palace of Fez is another must-see in the city. It is one of the oldest and largest palaces in Morocco, and is located on the outskirts of the medina as a result of its large dimensions, very close to the Jewish quarter or Mellah of Fez.

Unfortunately, the Royal Palace of Fez can not be visited either, so travelers can only admire the impressive gates leading to the palace. Just with this view we can get an idea of the magnitude and splendor of the palace. It is a huge bronze doors decorated by thousands of ceramic blue, calling as in other buildings in Fez, the color blue and green.

It is worth approaching the Royal Palace of Fez and stroll through the surrounding neighborhoods, as they are different from the medina and its narrow streets.

8. Mausoleum of Mulay Idris

In Fez another place to visit and see is the Mausoleum of Mulay Idris, a shrine dedicated to the king of Morocco who ruled between 807 and 828. Mulay Idris is the patron saint of the city of Fez and thousands of Muslims flock to the city to visit the mausoleum and venerate the former king of Morocco.

The building was built in the eighteenth century but several centuries earlier, in the year 1308 was found in this place a body in perfect condition that was attributed to Mulay Idris. Although over the centuries it has undergone several transformations and modifications the mausoleum is one of the most impressive places in Fez and although like most places in the city, non-Muslims can not visit it, it is worth approaching the place and admire its architecture.

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