Chouara Tanneries
The 11th-century leather tanneries best seen from the surrounding terraces.
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The Spiritual Capital · Fès-Meknès
Fes — the world's largest living medieval medina
Founded in the 9th century and home to the world's oldest continuously running university, Fes el-Bali is a labyrinth of 9,000 alleys, tanneries, madrasas and craft workshops. It is Morocco at its most authentic and unfiltered.
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Fès-Meknès
About Fes
Fes is where Morocco keeps its memory. Founded in 789 AD by Idris I, it grew into the intellectual capital of the western Islamic world — a status the ninth-century Al-Qarawiyyin university, still teaching today, quietly protects. Nine thousand alleyways braid past coppersmiths, mosaic ateliers, herbalists and Quranic schools whose zellij and cedar carving have barely changed in six centuries.
Where Marrakech performs, Fes gets on with its work. The medina remains a living, functioning city — donkey carts still carry hides to the tanneries, and evening prayers still empty the workshops in unison. For travellers willing to slow down and follow a guide, it offers Morocco's deepest and most rewarding cultural encounter.
Why visit
Why travellers choose Fes
- The world's largest car-free urban zone, and a UNESCO World Heritage medina since 1981
- Home to Al-Qarawiyyin — founded in 859 AD, the oldest continuously operating university on Earth
- Morocco's craft capital: leather, ceramics, brass, cedar carving and traditional bookbinding
- The finest imperial cuisine in the country — pastilla, harira, m'chermel and Fassi sweets
- Perfectly placed for day trips to Volubilis (Roman ruins), Meknes and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
What to see
Top attractions in Fes
Al-Attarine & Bou Inania Madrasas
Marinid masterpieces of zellij, stucco and carved cedar.
Al-Qarawiyyin
The world's oldest continuously operating university, founded in 859 AD.
Fes el-Jdid & the Mellah
The 'new' 13th-century city and the historic Jewish quarter.
Things to do
Experiences in Fes
Local experiences
Authentic things to do in Fes
Rooftop dinner in a Fassi dar
Slow-cooked lamb tagine and pigeon pastilla served across a candle-lit terrace, with the medina call-to-prayer as your soundtrack.
Artisan workshop visit
Sit with a master brass-worker, weaver or ceramicist in the Aïn Nokbi crafts village — many welcome hands-on trials.
Andalusian classical evening
Small concerts of Al-Ala music in restored funduqs — a UNESCO-listed tradition brought to Fes by Andalusian refugees.
Volubilis at golden hour
A 90-minute drive lands you at Morocco's best-preserved Roman ruins, followed by dinner in the holy village of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.
Travel tips
Practical tips for Fes
- Book a half-day licensed guide on arrival — it prevents the classic first-visit disorientation
- Wear closed-toe shoes: medina lanes are cobbled, steep and slick after rain
- Bring a sprig of mint or a scarf when visiting the Chouara tanneries — the natural dye pits are pungent
- The best tannery views are from leather shops on Rue Chouara — you're expected to browse, not obligated to buy
- ATMs are common in Fes el-Jdid; scarce inside Fes el-Bali — withdraw before entering the deep medina
- For photographs, ask before pointing your camera at people or inside workshops — a small tip is customary
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FAQ
Fes — good to know
Is Fes worth visiting after Marrakech?+
Absolutely — Fes is older, more religious and less touristy. Most travellers say it's their most authentic Moroccan experience.
Do I need a guide for the Fes medina?+
For your first visit, yes. The medina has 9,000 alleyways and getting lost is inevitable. A licensed guide (half-day is enough) unlocks the history and craft workshops.
How many days do I need in Fes?+
Two full days covers the essentials: one for the medina with a licensed guide, one for the tanneries, ceramic cooperatives and a Volubilis / Meknes day trip.
Is Fes safe at night?+
Yes — the medina is well-populated until late and locals are famously welcoming. Stick to lit main derbs after dark and use a petit taxi for the Ville Nouvelle.
What should I buy in Fes?+
Fes is Morocco's craft capital: hand-thrown blue ceramics, Fassi leather (bought directly from the tannery cooperatives), copper lanterns and Berber rugs from the Talaa Kebira workshops.