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Medina of Fez

Fes · Morocco

Background

World Heritage since
1981
Type of site
Cultural
Marinid capital
13th–14th c.

Founded in the 9th century, Fez reached its height in the 13th and 14th centuries under the Marinids, when it replaced Marrakesh as the capital of the kingdom. UNESCO says the urban fabric and the principal monuments of the medina, its madrasas, fondouks, palaces, mosques and fountains, date from this period, and that Fez has kept its status as Morocco's cultural and spiritual centre since the capital moved to Rabat in 1912.

The listing covers Fes el-Bali, the old city, and Fes el-Jdid, the royal citadel the Marinids founded in 1276 with the Royal Palace and the Mellah. Wikivoyage calls Fes el-Bali the world's largest car-free urban zone: goods move by donkey, cart and motorbike.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 9th c.Fez is founded
  2. 1276The Marinids found Fes el-Jdid as their royal citadel
  3. 13th–14th c.Madrasas, fondouks and palaces fill the medina
  4. 1912The capital moves to Rabat
  5. 1981Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Chouara Tannery
    The dye pits, seen from the leather-shop terraces; go in the morning.
  2. 2
    Bou Inania Madrasa
    The Marinid madrasa at the top of the Talaa Kebira.
  3. 3
    Al-Qarawiyyin
    A glimpse through the doorway of the world's oldest university.
  4. 4
    Al-Attarine Madrasa and Nejjarine
    Carved cedar and zellige, and the carpenters' museum.
  5. 5
    Royal Palace and the Mellah
    The brass gates of Fes el-Jdid and the old Jewish quarter.
  6. 6
    Merenid Tombs
    Ruined tombs on the hill with the whole medina below at sunset.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Hire a Licensed Guide
The lanes are a maze; the GoGo guide hires a licensed guide for the first walk, and Wikivoyage says to head downhill to find a way out.
Belek!
Stand aside when you hear it: a laden donkey is coming through.
False Guides
Appear to know where you are going; ignore the tenacious false guides and the boys offering the tanneries.
Tannery Terrace Pressure
The free terrace views come with pressure to buy leather; a few dirham for the view is customary.

Medina in a Day

From the GoGo Fes guide · Open the Fes Guide ›

  1. 09:00
    Bou Inania Madrasa45 min
    The Marinid madrasa.
  2. 10:00
    Walk the Talaa Kebira90 min
    The main street of the medina.
  3. 11:30
    Chouara Tannery from the Terraces45 min
    The dye pits.
  4. 14:00
    Al-Qarawiyyin Doorway30 min
    The oldest university.
  5. 14:45
    Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts1 hr
    The carpenters' fondouk.
  6. 17:00
    Merenid Tombs View at Sunset1 hr
    The medina from the hill.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Mar–May, Oct. Very hot (highs 34°C+) in Jul–Aug.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Nov (116 mm), driest Jul (3 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
The Roman ruins of Volubilis are 52 km away and the imperial city of Meknes 56 km; both fit one day.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 170 · Wikipedia: Fes Jdid · Wikivoyage: Fez (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Fes guide · UNESCO listing