What's up guys, we're here in Fez. It's honestly not our favorite city that we've
been to in Morocco and we'll tell you why throughout the video. But it is a
spot that most people come to on their trip in the country. So in this video,
we'll show you the best things to do when you're here. So hope you enjoy it.
The city of Fez is located in Northern Morocco and is commonly referred to as the country's
cultural capital. Dating back to the 9th century, Fez is known for its ancient chaotic medina
filled with madrasas, palaces, residences, mosques, and fountains from this period.
It's also home to the first university in the world according to the Guinness World Records.
But besides that, it's also near some other interesting places to visit.
In this video, we'll show you the best things to do in and around Fez. Now let's dive in.
We're Zac and Ine. We make helpful videos about
destinations around the world so you can easily plan your own adventures.
Fes el Bali is the oldest walled part of Fez. It consists of more than 9000 narrow alleyways, so
it's a true maze. That's why we really recommend going on a guided tour here on your first day.
Not only will you see the important historical sites and souks, but you also feel more at ease
wandering these tight alleys. Check out the guided tour we did via the link in the description below.
It also includes a visit to the colorful tanneries, which we'll talk more about shortly.
One of the nice things about the old town is that the streets are really narrow,
which keeps all of the cars and most of the motorcycles out.
Uh, so it's less noisy, but at the same time the streets are so narrow that you
really need your maps.me or Google Maps. So make sure to download those before you come.
The old city of Fez is surrounded by hills that offer panoramic views.
The Marinid Tombs are located on the hill that lies to the north of the city.
These monumental tombs were originally a royal necropolis for the Marinid Dynasty, which ruled
in the 13th to 15th centuries. And although the tombs are in a heavily ruined state today,
it's still fun to walk around here and take in views of the entire walled medina from above.
If you need to escape the hustle and bustle of the Medina, then head to the only public
garden in the area. This peaceful slice of nature is home to various birds, plants,
flowers, and palm tree-lined walkways. Stroll around the gardens to recharge your batteries.
So we finally got to the gardens which are really peaceful, but to get here was kind
of a hassle because we had to walk to the old town, and there's a lot of guys that will stop
you and tell you like the streets are close or something. But it's not true and they want to
guide you and then in the end have some money for it. So that's something we really don't
like and it's best to avoid it by just keep walking and just don't speak to them at all.
Located in the medina, this madrasa or "Islamic school of learning" is one of the few religious
buildings in the city that non-muslims are allowed to enter. It was constructed in the
14th century and up until the 1960s this was an actual functioning theological school.
Today, you can admire the beautiful carved woodwork, marble courtyard, mosaic tile work,
and decorations for a small entrance fee. We actually wanted to visit more historical
sites like this in Fez, but most of them are closed during our visit unfortunately,
which was definitely a letdown for us. But we'll put a list of other things to do in
Fez at the end of this video in case more sites are open when you're there.
Located in the old town, the tanneries have been the bustling center of the
city's leather industry since the medieval era. The only way to get the iconic bird's
eye views over the dying pits is to visit the leather stores surrounding the tannery area.
A visit here is usually included in the guided tour
and at the end you also have the option to buy authentic leather goods if you'd like.
Any chemicals or it's all natural?
One of the things we liked about Fez was its proximity to other interesting destinations.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Volubiis is situated a one and a half hour drive from Fez.
Home to the best-preserved Roman ruins in all of Morocco, this site was one of the most remote
outposts of the Roman Empire. The site is bigger than you might think and we really enjoyed walking
around the remarkable structures, such as the Forum and the Triumphal Arch. Day tours from
Fez usually combine this archaeological site with a visit to the city of Meknes,
which is also known for its imperial past. Find a link to such a tour in the description below.
Another great day trip from Fez goes to Chefchaouen, which is a three and a half
hour drive away. It's known as the Blue City thanks to its picturesque streets filled with
houses painted in different shades of blue. The best way to explore these alleyways is to simply
get lost and take photos. But there are some other interesting places to visit there, including the
Spanish Mosque for sunset, the washing stations of Ras el Ma, and the Kasbah museum. You can
learn about this quaint city in our other video all about the best things to do in Chefchaouen.
As mentioned before, a lot of attractions and Fez were closed during our visit. We've included some
of those on the screen here, in case they're open when you're there. If you're planning your Morocco
trip, we recommend keeping things organized with our interactive travel planner. Find a discount
code below. We also included important links that you'll need for your Fez trip in the description,
such as a full travel guide with where to stay and eat. We'll catch you on the next adventure!