Are you looking for what to do in Fes?
THINGS TO DO
The medina in Fes is an ancient labyrinth of lanes and shops that houses the old city. The Bab Boujloud, Fes’s most famous gate, is one of the entrances to the medina. On entering this maze, you will see shops of spices, leather, and fabric works. Go deeper and pools of dye lurking in sharp contrast with the beige surroundings will catch your eye. Soak up the cultural richness of Fes in the world music festival hosted here. Mosques are usually off limit but you can pay a visit to one of the madrasas in the city. Madrasas are centres of Islamic education, a tradition that is alive for thousands of years. You can also check out the various museums dotting the city. Note the breath-taking architecture of these structures. Ceramic art is also one of the serious businesses in Fes.
- Chaouwara Tanneries: Hit the tanneries early in the morning and you will see the pits full of colours sploshing about them. The methods of leather tanning have not changed for centuries and salesmen often explain the process to tourists.
- Handy Tip: Carry a spring of mint or any other natural fragrance to help you survive the smell of the tannery. A slight catch is the fact that you can access these tanneries only from the shops selling leather. You may have to make a purchase in these shops.
- Batha Museum: One of the best places to see Moroccan art and crafts under one roof is the Batha Museum. The building itself is a tribute to the 19th century Moroccan architecture and is a summer palace converted into a museum. Do pay a visit to the ceramic collection from the 14th century. The gardens are used for staging concerts during music festivals.
- Fes Festival of World Sacred Music: The residents of Fes are lovers of music and there are many musical concerts happening throughout the year. The most important of them is the Festival of World Sacred Music. Prominent international musicians and artists head to this festival in June every year. It lasts for a week and tickets can be brought online.
- Henna Souq: This is Fes’s cosmetic market and you will find rows of kohl, rosewater and stacks of natural cosmetics in the shops here. Shop owners are quite friendly and you will get products for a reasonable price.
- Merenid Tombs: Catch the view of the whole city of Fes from the hill of the Merenid Tombs. The former sultans are buried in these tombs and these are one of the less crowded places in Fes. You can even visit this place for a picnic.
Below we have a list of things to do in Fes and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.
This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Fes getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.
Make the most of your trip to Fes with confidence.