Fez, the oldest of the imperial cities
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free medinas in the world: a maze of lanes, workshops and madrasas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The medina can only be visited on foot: bring good shoes.
- An official guide is useful on the first day to get your bearings.
- From Tangier, allow 4 to 5 hours by train.
What to see
You often enter through Bab Boujloud, the gate with blue tiles. From there, two main streets lead down to the heart of the medina.
The Chouara tanneries, with their dyeing vats, are seen from the terraces of the surrounding shops. The Bou Inania and Attarine madrasas show Marinid decorative art.
The University of Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859, is considered one of the oldest in the world. Its mosque is reserved for Muslims, but you can glimpse the courtyard from the doors.
Getting there from Tangier
Trains link Tangier to Fez in 4 to 5 hours depending on the timetable. The road takes a similar time.
When to go
In spring and autumn. Summer is hot, winter cool and sometimes rainy.
How long to plan
Two days for the medina. Add a day for Meknes and Volubilis.
Limits of this page
Journey times are approximate and train, flight and site timetables change: check them before you leave. We give no price until it has been verified.