18 Oct Explore Fez: A Travel Guide to Morocco’s Oldest City
If you’re looking for an exotic and fascinating travel destination, Fez, Morocco is a great choice. This historic city is full of interesting architecture, vibrant markets, and friendly people. And, of course, there’s the food. Moroccan cuisine is some of the best in the world, and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to sample it in Fez. So if you’re looking for an adventure, add Fez to your travel list
Fés- Brief History
Fez is located in the Middle Atlas Mountains about 125 miles south of Morocco’s capital city, Rabat. It was founded by the Berber people in the 8th century and has a long history of resistance against foreign invaders. The city was ruled by the Ottomans from 1551 to 1912, when it became a part of Morocco under French control. Today, Fez is one of Morocco’s major tourist attractions and home to over 100,000 people.
Things to do in Fés
1) Visit the medina and try to find the entrance to this beautiful maze.
The labyrinth of Fes is one of the most iconic attractions in all of Morocco. It’s also a great way to get your mind off things while touring through this small city!
Once inside, follow the winding paths through the old city, stopping to admire the beautiful carved wooden doors of each house you pass along the way.
The medina is full of colourful stalls selling everything from spices and jewellery to handmade Moroccan carpets and tapestries. You’ll find everything you need here, from household items to clothing and accessories for the whole family.
2) Visit the Tanneries:
The Tanneries are located in the heart of the old city, and they are one of the most popular tourist attractions. They offer a unique experience, and you can learn about the process of making leather.
Info:
The process begins with animal skin that is tanned by soaking it in water and then removing the hair or fur. Next, the skins are dried in the sun before being beaten to soften them for further processing. Once this initial process is complete, the hides are taken into the tannery where they are dyed various colors depending on use (e.g. white for shirts, brown for belts).
3) Check the Blue gate (bab boujloud fès)
The Blue Gate in Fes, Morocco is a beautiful example of Moorish architecture. The intricate patterns and designs and stunning blue colour are truly a sight to behold. The Blue Gate is a large gate with blue tiles painted with images of animals and birds – it really stands out against the white walls surrounding it. The blue gate in Fés Morocco is actually an entryway into a beautiful courtyard that contains a fountain and many different plants. It is surrounded by four white walls with intricate designs carved into them and two tall towers on either side of the gate. The design of this gateway is meant to be welcoming so that visitors feel at home as soon as they enter Fés through this blue gate.
4) Take a walk through the Boujloud Gardens:
These gardens are located just outside of Fes and feature many different types of trees and flowers that were planted by Moroccan royalty over several centuries. The grounds also include a small museum with traditional Moroccan artifacts including pottery, sculptures and calligraphy.
5) Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss:
This landmark is one of Fes’s most well-known attractions and pays tribute to the city’s founder. The mausoleum is also a popular place for locals to come and pray – you can even hear the call to prayer being broadcast from its minaret!
6) Visit the Al Attarine Madrasa (School of perfumes)
Madrasa is the vernacular for an Islamic school. This school was founded in the 14th century (in 1325) and is known for its stunning architecture, its ornate wooden ceilings and intricate tilework.
In 1980, Al Attarine Madrasa received help from UNESCO to restore its historic buildings and become a World Heritage Site.
7) Check out the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts
The museum is dedicated to preserving and displaying traditional Moroccan woodworking and carpentry. It contains a large collection of wooden objects, including furniture, musical instruments, and everyday items. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions featuring items from other collections as well as new works.
8) Take a ride on the Atlantic Coast Beach
The Atlantic Beach is one of Moroco’s most beautiful natural attractions, and it’s located just an hour away from Fez. This amazing stretch of golden sand offers excellent surfing conditions, and there are several restaurants along the shoreline where you can enjoy fresh seafood meals.
Where to eat in Fés
Fés, Morocco is a beautiful city with many delicious and inexpensive options for food. This article will cover some of the best restaurants in Fés that serve traditional Moroccan cuisine as well as international dishes.
Le Jardin Des Delices:
This restaurant serves up authentic Mediterranean dishes made from fresh ingredients grown on their farm which is located just outside of Fés. There is also an outdoor bar where you can sit and enjoy a drink with your friends or family while watching the sunset.
La Maison Bleu:
This restaurant serves traditional Moroccan dishes as well as international cuisine. The ambience is very nice, and the service is excellent. The restaurant serves tagines, couscous and other dishes using local ingredients. They also have a bar area where you can enjoy drinks with friends or family. It is said that the restaurant has one of the best views in Fez while also being an ideal place for couples on a date.
Dar Zeyga Restaurant.
This family-run establishment offers an extensive menu of Moroccan cuisine and is conveniently located in the heart of the medina. Dar Zeyga Restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including traditional tagines, seafood feasts, lamb kebabs, Moroccan salads, and more. You’ll be able to enjoy traditional Moroccan music while you eat, too – Dar Zeyga has an on-site musician who plays instruments like the rababah and mandolin.
Hope this article inspires you to visit Fés.
You can also check my article about Marrakesh, just click here.
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