Considered the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco, this “open-air museum” of a city, the second-largest in Morocco and founded in A.D. 789, engulfs visitors in multicultural architecture, cuisine and the arts. Preserving authentic Morocco, it serves as a center for traditional craftsmen and artisans in ceramics, woodworking, leather, textiles and more.
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Fès-Saïs International Airport connects nonstop to 42 destinations in nine countries, primarily in Western Europe. Transit into the city via taxi (13 minutes, $12–15), bus (40 minutes, $2) or rental car. The Médina is best explored on foot; and taxis (an average ride costs $2–4) and a reliable, extensive and inexpensive bus system (20 to 40 cents per ride) prove good options. Car rentals are convenient for daytrips, but be aware local drivers can be aggressive and accidents are common.
LODGING
Located in the heart of the Médina, this traditional Moroccan residence-turned-boutique hotel features traditional carved plaster ceilings, zellij mosaic tiling, rich fabrics and antique furnishings. The property boasts a traditional Moroccan restaurant, spa and hammam, fitness center and pool, and offers culinary classes.
2 Place de L’Istiqlal, Fès, Morocco, tel 212 535 74 18 43 maisonbleue.com
Combining tradition and modernity in a property overlooking gardens and the old Médina, Palais Medina features on-site restaurants, a lounge, event space, a large outdoor pool and poolside bar. Enjoy the fitness center and spa as well as free parking and WiFi.
Boulevard Allal El Fassi, Fès, Morocco, tel 212 529 08 01 04 atlashotelscollection.com
Rooms and suites in this traditional 17th-century palace surround a peaceful open courtyard. Offerings include a pool, hammam and spa, while the rooftop bistro serves an à la carte menu of Moroccan dishes and local wines. Concierge services can arrange guides, reservations and daytrips.
3 Derb Bechara, Fès Medina, Morocco, tel 212 674 18 76 39 riad-laaroussa.com
DINING
This fine-dining rooftop restaurant overlooking the Médina serves quintessential Moroccan food matched with Moroccan wines. The adjacent Golden Bar offerings include cocktails and jazz.
Palais Faraj, Derb Bensouda 16-18, Bab Ziat, Fès, Morocco, tel 212 535 63 53 56 palaisfaraj.com
This diverse and culturally inclusive hangout for locals and visitors alike offers Moroccan (camel burgers!) and international food all day. Indoor and outdoor seating; a welcoming atmosphere; and classes on calligraphy, cooking and Moroccan culture — plus live music, storytelling and cinema nights — deliver something for everyone.
7 Derb el Magana, Talaa Kbira, Fès, Morocco, tel 212 535 63 78 55 cafeclock.com
Chef Younes Idrissi describes his cuisine as Franco-Moroccan fusion using seasonal, locally sourced products. Complimentary porter service is offered from the nearest Médina gate for guests not staying in the hotel.
30 Derb El Amer, Zkak Roumane, Fès, Morocco, tel 212 535 74 16 37 darroumana.com
ATTRACTIONS
Chouwara Tannery
In a city renowned for its leather goods, Chouwara stands out as the largest and one of the oldest (dating to the 11th century) tanneries in Fès. A host of leather shops overlook the colorful (but odiferous) dyeing pits. Come prepared to haggle for everything from traditional Moroccan backless slippers (babouches) to handbags and jackets.
21 Rue Chouara, Fès el-Bali, Morocco, tel 212 695 13 06 56
The old city of Fès, a literal maze of 9,000 alleys, is designated by UNESCO as having Outstanding Universal Value. This largest urban pedestrian zone in the world houses souks, traditional Moroccan homes, mosques, monuments, fountains and palaces. To avoid getting lost or missing unique attractions, look into hiring a local guide or book with GuruWalk for a free guided tour.
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts
Housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century funduq (inn for traveling merchants), this national museum celebrates another of the crafts for which Fès is known. Displays of fine woodwork from across Morocco include musical instruments, doors, prayer beads, chests and the tools used to create them. Intricately carved archways and courtyard columns as well as the rooms’ cedar ceilings are themselves works of art.
327F+WJ5, Place an Nejjarine, Fès el-Bali, Morocco, tel 212 531 41 26 16
Read This Next
Global City Guidebook: U.S. Virgin Islands
GCGB 2023
Aug 5, 2023All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedAirlines
Nov 17, 2024LATAM Upgrades Boeing 787 Cabins
LATAM Airlines announced a multimillion-dollar investment to modernize its fleet of 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, updating both Premium Business and economy cabins. Modernization began September 2024 and will be completed around mid-2026.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Egypt
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
November 2024
Nov 16, 2024Discover The Cotswolds’ Quintessentially English Villages
Famous for rolling green hills, quaint villages and distinctive honey-colored limestone buildings, the Cotswolds (an 800-square-mile region in central southwest England) carries a designation as an Area of Outstanding Beauty. More than 80 percent is still farmland, meadows and woodlands.
Airlines
Nov 16, 2024Brussels Airlines Expands Fleet, Invests in New Cabins
Brussels Airlines will grow its long-haul fleet with three new Airbus A330 aircraft, bringing its widebody fleet to 13 in the coming years. These additional aircraft comprise the airline’s greater initiative to strengthen its position in Africa following increased demand for air travel across the continent. The airline will mainly use the extra long-haul capacity to reinforce its Sub-Saharan African network, making Brussels Airlines a European hub for flights to and from Africa.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Pristine Beauty of the Sporades Islands
Nestled in the northwest Aegean Sea, the Sporades Islands are a hidden gem of Greece, offering breathtaking natural beauty and unique experiences for every traveler. Comprised of four main islands — Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros — this island cluster is renowned for its lush pine forests, crystal-clear waters and idyllic beaches.
Daily
Nov 15, 2024SLS Barcelona Opens This December
SLS Hotels & Residences makes its European debut this winter on Spain’s Mediterranean coastline in Barcelona, where the city’s excellent climate keeps winter temperatures pleasant. SLS Barcelona hits the waterside district of Port Fòrum, where a large marina is 15 minutes from city center.
Six Senses Hotel to Debut in London Next Year
Hotels
Nov 14, 2024Daily
Nov 13, 2024Discover the Birthplace of Cacao in Ecuador
Chocolate is made from cacao beans and Ecuador, the birthplace of cacao, has long been a significant player in the world of chocolate. Although historians once believed cacao was first used by Mesoamerican cultures, more recent studies from scientists around the world confirmed the cacao bean was first cultivated by indigenous tribes in what is now Ecuador.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
November 2024
Nov 13, 2024Drink It All in During a Stay at Hotel Manapany on Swanky St.-Barth
Vacationers travel to the posh island of St.-Barth for its ritzy shops, tucked-away local beaches and elevated cuisine melding classic French technique with flavorful Caribbean ingredients. Guests staying at Hôtel Manapany, an eco-focused boutique property on picturesque Anse des Cayes beach, can also sip their way through beverages that showcase these two distinct yet remarkably harmonious cultures.
ShareThis