Fes: Sightseeing and Monuments
Fes-el-Bali Medina
The Medina of Old Fes is a mysterious, secret and magical place. This is a big, well preserved arab medieval city which can perhaps only be compared to Damascus. Fes-el-bali is a maze of narrow, winding streets, staircases and alleyways. It is recommended that you get a guide when visiting the Old Fes Medina.
The Old Fes Medina, with its 200 mosques, 250 hammams and more than 800 bread bakeries is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will be amazed that such a world even exists. It is nothing short of amazing.
Tanneries Souq
The tanneries are an amazing sight: you will witness how leather was being dyed for centuries, and the method still persists today. The tanners' pits, filled with lively, stark colors and the leather hides drying on the rooftops area unique sight. You will also remember this scene thanks to its strong, sometimes even pungent smell. That's why you'll be handed some mint leaves at the entrance: to cover your nostrils with if the smell happens to be really strong. The terrace with the view over the tanners' pits is on top of a building which is a big shop of leather goods produced right there. There is so much too choose from, that you'll be overwhelmed.
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts
This beautiful museum is worth visiting for the building itself! It is a really well renovated founduq, looking amazing. Don't forget to visit the terrace, which has a magnificent view over the medina. The wooden exhibits show the excellence of Moroccan craftsmanship, which has continued well onto this day.
Opening hours: 10am-5pm, every day.
Entrance fee: 20 Dh.
Dar Batha
Dar Batha is an interesting building — a museum of Moroccan craftsmanship and folk art. Here, you will be able to see remarkable examples of Berber jewellry, laced tapestry, well-known blue pottery from Fes, stucco panels and more. The museum has also a nice garden full of plants, palms and flowers.
Opening hours: 8.30am-12pm and 2.30pm-6pm, every day except Tuesday.
Entrance fee: 10 Dh.
Zaouia Moulay Idriss II
This is the tomb of Moulay Idriss II, son of Moulay Idriss I, the founder of Fes. You can peek inside from the entrance, because the shrine is inaccessible to non-muslims. From the entrance, the sculpted cedar wood ceiling can be seen. You will see a lot of pilgrims here (both male and female), as the tomb of Moulay Idriss, descendant of the Prophet, is one of the most sacred places in Morocco.
The Kairaouine Mosque
The Kairaouine Mosque and University (La mosquée El-Qaraouiyyin) was founded in the 9th century by a woman, Fatma Bint Mohammed el-Feheri, who came from Kairouan, Tunisia — hence the name of this mosque and university. The mosque is home to the oldest minaret in the whole muslim world. It is enormous, with its 14 doors and 270 pillars. But, it isn't accessible to non-muslims.
Note: In Morocco, only the great mosque Hassan II in Casablanca is accessible to non-muslims.
Fes-el-Jedid
The Royal Palace and the old Jewish quarter (mellah) are situated in Fes-el-Jedid.
Dar el Makhzen
The Royal Palace in Fes isn't open to the public, but you can admire its entrance, which looks really luxurious.
The Danan Synagogue
The Danan Synagogue was renovated in 1999 and is worth a look, along with the Jewish cemetery situated nearby.
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, except on Saturdays.
Entrance fee: 10 Dh.