Fes

The cultural heart — world's oldest university and medieval medina.

Fes is Morocco's spiritual and cultural capital, home to the world's oldest continuously operating university (Al-Qarawiyyin) and one of the largest living medieval cities on earth. Fes el-Bali's 9,000-odd alleys are best navigated with a local guide — the Chouara Tannery's dye pits, the Bou Inania medersa's carved cedar and the sprawling Karaouiyine district reward a full day. Fes is also the most convenient departure point for the desert: the road to Merzouga via Ifrane, Midelt and the Ziz Valley is the shortest Sahara approach of any major city, and Morocco Grand Adventure's Fes-to-Merzouga and Fes-to-Marrakech routes start here.

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Fes in Pictures

Stone vats filled with natural dyes at the Chouara Tannery in the Fes medina, Morocco
Rows of stone dyeing vats hold natural pigments at the Chouara Tannery.
Workers treating leather hides among the dyeing pits of a traditional Fes tannery, Morocco
Tanners work the dyeing pits by hand, much as they have for centuries.
Intricately carved muqarnas cedar ceiling of a Moroccan palace
A muqarnas cedar ceiling — zellij and carved plaster around it.
Woman holding a gift box of assorted Moroccan pastries — almond, coconut and sesame sweets
A gift box of Moroccan pastries — almond, coconut and honey.

Fes through our lens

Intricately carved muqarnas cedar ceiling of a Moroccan palace
A muqarnas cedar ceiling — zellij and carved plaster around it.
Riad breakfast table with msemen flatbread, hand-painted ceramic tagine servers and coffee
A riad breakfast — msemen and painted ceramic tagine servers.
Woman holding a gift box of assorted Moroccan pastries — almond, coconut and sesame sweets
A gift box of Moroccan pastries — almond, coconut and honey.

Taste of Fes

Vegetable tagine steaming in its conical clay pot
A vegetable tagine, cooked slowly in its conical pot.

Things to do in Morocco

Private tours from Fes

5 tours