Fes Things to Do

You climb a narrow stone staircase up onto the roof. Before you go you are offered sprigs of mint to help with the smell which can be overwhelming if you’re not used to it or if the weather enhances it. I took the mint but didn’t actually need it although others were definitely uncomfortable. The smell comes mainly from the pigeon droppings used in the curing process because of the ammonia. Cow urine is also used.

Make sure you visit a tannery while in Fez, there are a few of them, the largest being in Chouwara but there is also one near Place en Nejjarin. You enter via a narrow lane and doorway. Here they explain to you the process of the tanning.

Fez has some 222 mosques within the city area. The largest and most well known is the Karaouine Mosque followed closely by the Al Hamra, Al Andalouss and the Arrasif. All these were built during the times of the Muslim civilizations.

2 more images

Bordj Sud is a hillside fort which was built by during the 16th century by Sultan Ahmed El Mansour Saadian. It was one of many he built to defend the city and its residents. Great views of Fez can be found from up here.

There are many cemeteries around Fez. Bab Ftouh Cemetery is on a hill and has many well known professors of the Karouiyne University buried within it. Just below Bab Ftouh is Bab Hamra Cemetery. Non Muslims are not really approved to visit.

2 more images

Often the walls of the traditional houses in Fez are made up of sand, bricks and lime. Using lime makes the riads or houses cooler in the summer months and warmer in winter. All the support beams of the windows and doors are made of cedar. The traditional Zeilig is used on all the floors.

3 more images

Be sure to look up when you wander through the Medina. There are a variety of windows which look out over the narrow lanes. Most have some kind of decorative grills, not all have glass. Others have shutters. Every now and then you will glance someone peering out on the daily happenings in the outside world.

1 more image

There are six routes you can take around the Medina. Each route has its own theme – palaces and gardens, ramparts and walls, traditional Moroccan crafts etc. There are also maps on the walls which acts as a guide to finding places of interest. The information is in Arabic, French and English. If you are not confident enough to find your way around the intricate lanes, you can always hire a guide at a very reasonable rate. Official guides wear a permit.