Fez is sometimes referred to as the ‘Museum City’. Exploring Fez’s cultural delights and historical heritage provides a treasure hunt in a working medieval city. Scattered in and around the Medina are sights from key events and times in Morocco’s colourful history. A visit to the city’s museums, mosques and medersas gives an indication of the different reigns and influences that have made Fez what it is today. Generally, museums are open from 08h45 to 12h and from 15h to 18h except for Tuesdays when they are closed. Entry fees are 10 Dh.

Skills passed through the ages are practiced in workshops that nestle amongst mosques and fascinating buildings. Ancient fountains with colourful zellij tiles refresh the workers in the souks where they craft a diverse array of traditional wares – from henna and cedar wood to cloth, wool, leather and the fine blue and white Fassi china. The tanneries’ attract many sightseers with their vats of brightly coloured dyes and treated leather but the smell is not for the faint-hearted.

A guide can take you to any of the destinations indicated below and is recommended for the serious or even occasional sightseer – the labyrinth of alleys and streets is vast and confusing and it is very easy to get lost or miss your turning. However there is a certain joy to wandering aimlessly, carried by the flow of Fez’s lively streets, squeezing out of the way of laden donkeys and trolleys enveloped by the fragrances of spice and scent. Unexpected doorways reveal surprising tranquillity in the spaces of the mosques, riads and fondouks and offer a welcome contrast to the bustling streets. The possibilities for sightseeing are endless; the list below is not complete but gives an introduction to some of Fez’s key landmarks.

University of Al-Karaouine/ Karaouine Mosque
Bou Inania medersa
Attarine medersa
Dar Batha Museum
Medersa Bou Inania
Nejjarine Square
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts
Arms Museum
The Boujeloud Gardens
The Merenid Tombs
Bab Boujloud
Mellah

University Of Al-Karaouine
Founded in 859 AD, the University of Al-Karaouine is the oldest continuously operating institution of higher learning in the world (and as such is in the Guinness Book of World Records). It is one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world and is at the heart of Fez’s history through every age. Both Christian and Muslim Scholars have been drawn there and many important precious manuscipts are kept in the library. It was originally established by the Al-Fihri family when they migrated from Kairouan in Tunisia. When the father died, his daughter Fatima decided to spend her huge inheritance on the construction of a mosque for the Kairawan community. As dynasties rose and fell in Fez and Morocco, the university continued to expand and develop. Al-Karaouine was pivotal in the medieval world in the instrumentation of cultural discourse and intellectual development between Europe and Islam. The mosque has now expanded to a capacity of 20000 worshippers and is the largest mosque in north Africa. Whilst access is not possible for non-Muslims, the best view is from the main entrance where the door is left open and you can see the pavilions to the far right. Also visible from the perimeter od the mosque (past the Seffarine Square) is a set of beautiful 12th century doors. Inside, the simplicity of the design is contrasted with intricate detail in the carvings, zellij and paintings. Arches stretch away in a seemingly infinite expression of the devotion that has created this enduring legacy to Fez’s spiritual community.

Dar Batha Museum
Dar Batha is a late nineteenth century Hispanic Mauresque palace built by Sultan Moulay al-Hassan I and is now home to a wonderful collection of antiques and traditional Fassie art works such as embroideries, zellij, sculpted works, jewelry, iron works and ceramics. These are some splendid examples of the famous blue pottery of Fès. The cobalt glaze responsible for its colour is developed from a special process discovered in the 10th century. The explanations are in Arabic and French only.

The museum's Andalucian-style garden offers temporary respite from the bustle and noise of the medina and is the location for the afternoon concerts of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music.

Hours: Wed-Mon 8:30am-12:00pm & 2:30pm-6:00pm

Medersa Bou Inania
Recently restored, the Bou Inania is a medersa (college/mosque/dormitory) is one of the most important buildings in Morocco. It is a fine example of the architecture of the Merenids, constructed between 1350 and 1357 when Fez was in its prime. The zellij (ceramic tile-work), muqarna (plasterwork) and woodcarving are amazingly elaborate, and views from the roof are impressive. Medersa Bou Inania is different from other theological colleges due to its elaborate mosque complete with a minaret. It is closed to non-Muslims, but it is still possible to appreciate it’s splendour from the entrances on Talaa Kibeera and Talaa Sghira. The water clock is on Talaa Kibeera and like the shops here, has also been recently restored.

Attarine Medersa
The Attarine Medersa is another fourteenth century Merenid building and is considered by some to be the most beautiful, with it’s extraordinarily fine zellij.

Nejarine Museum Of Wooden Arts And Crafts
Unesco are behind this project in an ancient caravanserail or fundoq (hotel for travelling merchants, where they slept and stored their goods). There is a fine collection of traditional woodworking that includes craftsmen's tools, chunky prayer beads, minbars (pulpits), wedding furniture, Berber locks, chests and a small collection of musical instruments, some inlaid with mother-of-pearl. It is a beautiful building with wonderful roof-top café with fine views over the Medina. The Nejarine Square and the Carpenter’s Souk have also been restored and are a pleasant place to gain some perspective on a journey through the souks.

Moulay Idriss Zaouia
This is the tomb of the son of the founder of Fez. It is closed to Non-Muslims but you can look in through the doors.

Arms Museum Of The Borj Nord
Located just next to the ramparts, this museum is a16th century fortress housing a large collection of antique weapons. Its construction began in 1582 by the Saadian Sultan Ahmed El Mansour. Twenty four halls house the arms collection that includes a wide representation of different weapons used throughout Moroccan history. The building is worth a visit in its own right with good views of the Medina.

Merenid Tombs
On the edge of the valley, there is little left of the tombs themselves but they offer the best vantage point for a spectacular overview of the city.

Boujeloud Gardens
The Boujeloud Gardens is a haven with an open air cafe and many picnic spots.

Museum Of Andalusian Music
A museum and cultural complex in a beautifully restored house, Dar Bennani. There is a museum, art gallery and library downstairs and a music conservatory upstairs.

Fortress Walls
Outside the walls it is possible to circumnavigate the Medina’s 11th & 13th century walls (the journey’s long enough to warrant a drive).

Bab Boujloud
This is the monumental blue and green zellij gate at the entrance to the Medina, one of the important landmarks for navigating the city. The contemporary version was built by the French in 1912, but the original gate is next to it.

Tanneries
Where leather is tanned and dyed in many different coloured vats, and has been for hundreds of years. It attracts many visitors with it’s unusual sights but repels them with its smells.

Hammams
The traditional public baths and washrooms that can be found in every neighbourhood – one for men and one for women. The hammams are a place to where no-one has anything to hide and where much camaraderie can be found amongst the daily washing rituals. Rooms vary in temperature and buckets of steaming water are sloshed over you. If you go with Moroccans, they will introduce you to the ways of the hammam and no doubt throw in a vigorous hairwash and exfoliation to boot.

The Mellah
Royal Palace
Bab Al Guissa
Souk Al Henna
Medersa Mesbahia
Cherableeyeen Mosque
Fundoq Tetouanien
Belghazi Museum
Seffarine Square
Seffarine Medersa
Cherratin Medersa
Zaouiya Of Sidi Ahmed Al-Tijani
Andalous Mosque
Sehrij Medersa
Glaoui Palace
Palais Mnebbi
Ibn Danan Synagogue
Dar Adiyel
Dar El Magana