The Perfectly Preserved Medieval City of Fez

There are few cities that exist today as they did 1,200 years ago. Fez (or Fes) Morocco is one of them.

Because of its outstanding ancient architecture, which was built to allow for horse and foot traffic, the cobbled streets are too narrow for cars. Fez El-Bali, the medina of Fez, is the largest car-free zone in any city in the world. This ancient walled city is one of Morocco's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is a rare pleasure to walk around the city, not having to breathe car fumes, and compete only with horses, donkeys and hand-pulled carts!

Fez boasts the world's oldest existing and active university, al-Qarawiyyin, which first opened its doors as a religious school in the year 859 AD. Fes has been, and continues to be a major center of learning in the Arab world. It became the capital of the Moroccan empire in the 13th century, and during this time of prominence, people traveled from all over the world to study with famous philosophers, imams and political leaders.

It is a dual city, with two city centers. The original medina (Fez El-Bali, c. 800) is more the commerce center, and the newer town (Fez Jedid, 1276) is more the center of government.

Fez is the center of culture in Morocco, and is famous for its mutli-ethnic art, sacred music, epicurean delights and traditional crafts. As you walk around the souk and the medina, you can poke your head in any number of artisan cooperatives where they make leather, or wool, or cactus silk, or copper pots, or pottery. Many of these cooperatives are hundreds of years old and operate in the same tradition as their forebears.

As one of the major cities in northern Morocco, it has historically been a major point of entry into Morocco from Europe. During the Muslim and Jewish exodus from Europe (Spain in particular) Fez became a place of tolerance and Jews were instrumental in building the commercial and cultural life. For quite a long time, it was an important center of religious Jewish learning and philosophy. In addition, people came from all over Africa and the Muslim world to attend the University and to this day there is a very international, and tolerant feel, to Fez.

The accommodations in Fez - specifically the Riads - are outstanding.  A Riad is a traditional family dwelling (repurposed into a B&B) which, from the outside, is nothing but a door.... but once you enter through it is a lush oasis of peace and beauty, with fountains and tilework and plants and birds. Fez is famous for its colored glasswork, tile art, silk and copper, which you will find everywhere you go. Fez riads give the traveler a sense of opulent peace and meditation, and are the perfect choice for a full-immersion experience in this wondrous, ancient city.

Whether you're an adventurous eater or not, you will enjoy the incredible variety of food in Fez. There is an amazing mixture of Mediterranean, African, Jewish and Asian flavors, made with great care and pride. Fez is considered the epicurean capital of Morocco for good reason, and it sits in the midst of Morocco's outstanding wine region. (Most of the wine made in Morocco doesn't get exported because it's so good, they want to keep it for themselves.) If you like, schedule a cooking class while you're in Fez and learn to cook some of the delicious, traditional dishes.

A few nights in Fez are included in many of our Morocco Excursions. Marrakesh Voyage specializes in customized, private tours. With over 25 years experience as a tour agent in Morocco, we have a core team of excellent, experienced guides who become your Moroccan family while you're in our magical Kingdom. You give us your travel dates, we'll give you an unforgettable Moroccan journey of a lifetime!

We hope to see you there, Inshallah!

10 Reasons to Make Morocco a Travel Priority

Morocco is the gateway between Africa and Europe, ancient history and modern luxury. Journeying through it's geography, history and culture with the right tour company can be an experience of continual delights, creating a fantastic memory that will stay with you for the rest of your life. 

Here are ten fabulous reasons to put Morocco at the top of your trip list: 

1. Ancient History

Morocco is home to the Berbers, a civilization that is said to have inhabited Morocco (and North Africa) for at least 7,000 years. That ancient history is visible everywhere you travel, mixed with Arab influences from the past 1,000 years in the architecture, the hospitality, and the very simplicity of life. When you travel through the Atlas mountains, the Sahara Desert, and the ancient cities, you become a part of that incredible history.

2. Vibrant Culture
The arts are flourishing in Morocco! There are art, music, film, and writing festivals all over the country as well as traditional celebrations honoring harvests, marriages and historical events. Make sure to include a festival in your trip!

3. World Class Cuisine
Food is a very important part of life in Morocco; even the poorest Moroccans eat well. Although there are some corporate farms, most food is grown very traditionally, and organically, and great care is given to the presentation of meals. Fez is considered an epicurian capital of the world. In addition to the delectable traditional dishes of Tagine, Couscous, Bastilla and the like, there are also excellent fusions with French and Asian food.

If cooking is your thing, make sure to spend a night or two at Kasbah Omar in the High Atlas Mountains where cooking classes are offered to all guests.

4. Elegant Accommodations

Whether you're backpacking through Morocco or traveling 5star+, you will be enchanted with the beauty of Morocco's hotels, riads and B&Bs. Few people realize that the hacienda-style family dwelling comes from Arab culture, in which it was developed to keep out the heat of the desert in the summer, and stay warm in the winters. These dwellings are blank/nondescript from the outside, but sumptuous and peaceful inside. A riad is one of these buildings that has been beautifully converted into a B&B with a limited number of guest rooms. It is highly recommended that you stay at least one night in a riad to experience the beauty.

5. Gracious, Educated Hosts
When you travel with a well-respected tour company in Morocco you will have a highly educated guide at your side who speaks your language well. This guide will make sure you are comfortable, safe, will be able to give you context for every part of your journey.

6. Excellent Nightlife
Morocco has some of the largest and most famous nightclubs in all of Africa, especially in Marrakesh which has become a playground for Europe's elite. There are also excellent cultural fetes, such as the Fantasia in Marrakesh where you can dine like a Pasha while traditional musicians, dancers and Jannisaries perform all around you. Whatever your desire, it can be found in Marrakesh!

7. World Heritage Sites
Morocco boasts TWELVE world heritage sites, including the cities of Fez, Rabat and Marrakesh. You must include a visit to the Jemma El Fna square in Marrakesh, an ancient trading post and the largest most active square in all of Africa. Full of snake charmers, acrobats, tricksters and healers by day, it turns into an open air mall of restaurants at night where you can dine on sheep brains, escargot, or tripe soup if you're an adventurous eater, or sandwiches, couscous and tagines if not. Also, load up on delicious figs, dates and nuts at the merchant stalls around the square all day and night long, and the fresh orange juice is a fantastic pick-me-up after a day of exploration!

8. The Sahara Desert

There might not be anything in the world as wonderful as traveling by camel train into the desert evening to be met by a family of Berber nomads who cook you a fabulous dinner (including bread baked in the sand) and play drums, deep into the vast starry night. The endless sky wraps itself around the tall, undulating dunes, and as you sleep the silence fills you with vivid dreams.

9. 1,100+ Miles of Diverse Coastline
Bordering both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Morocco offers tremendous variety for aquatic fun. World class boating, swimming, fishing, and surfing are available from Tan-Tan to Tetouan. And of course, the seafood is extraordinary.

10. World Class Shopping
The Jemma El Fna is the entrance to the famous Souk of Marrakesh, an endless maze of shops where you can purchase anything your heart desires. The artisans of the souk are in a forever-battle of creating the most intricate, delightful, colorful items for you to purchase and take home.... whether it's shoes, scarves, pocketbooks, tea sets, jewelry, clothing, lamps, carpets etc etc etc. Shopping in the souk is a singular experience and can be very fun, especially if you love to haggle, but there are also fabulous shopping experiences all over Morocco. Don't be shy to stop at any roadside vendor to see what wonders they may have for you, whether its walnuts or crystals or tagines.

Marrakesh Voyage LLC offers private, chauffeured journeys for our clients. With over 25 years of experience, your excellent journey is our pleasure and our pride. We'll work with whatever dates you have available to build a trip to Morocco that you'll remember for the rest of your days! We can arrange everything you need for groups, corporate trips, and special events.