Private Full-Day Fez Sightseeing Tour

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Fez Mellah

   The atmospheric old Mellah (Jewish Quarter) is in Fes el Jedid, just north of the Royal Palace. Throughout this compact district, the lanes are lined with fine (though highly dilapidated) examples of early 20th-century houses, which were once home to the vibrant Jewish community of Fes. The small, restored Aben-Danan Synagogue can also be visited here. On the edge of the Mellah is the rambling Jewish cemetery, one of the city's most tranquil spots, and a Jewish Museum housing a collection of objects highlighting Moroccan Jewish life and culture.

   60 minutes here · Admission not included

2. The Merenids built this "New City" in the 13th century, when they realized that Fes el Bali would be too small to contain their palaces. The rather grand Royal Palace takes center stage here (not open to the public) and behind it, mosques and medersas fill the host of lanes. There's a tranquil air to this small section of the city, which sits between bustling Fes el Bali and the European-style Ville Nouvelle, and it makes a welcoming, peaceful lull between these two faster-paced worlds.

   60 minutes here

3. Jardin Jnan Sbil

   For a time-out from the hustle and bustle of Fes medina, head to these formal gardens, which sit just outside the medina walls, near the main medina entrance, Bab Boujloud. The gardens are well kept and landscaped and provide a much needed shot of green in the city. Do like the locals do and come here around sunset for strolling the trails between planted flower beds, trickling fountains, and trees as the birds flock into the branches above.

   30 minutes here

4. Dar Batha Museum

   The Batha Museum is inside a Hispano-Moorish summer palace built in the late 19th century. The museum collection traipses through a selection of traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, with wood carved doors, wrought-iron work, embroidery, carpets, and jewelry all on display. The centerpiece exhibit of the museum is the ceramics room, where the famous Fes blue ceramics, colored with cobalt, are featured. More interesting than the displays themselves is the building's own original decoration and the lovely internal courtyard garden, which is full of shady trees and tall palms and is a true oasis within the city.

   30 minutes here · Admission not included

5. Bou Inania Medersa

   The Medersa Bou Inania was built between 1350 and 1357 by the Merenid sultan Bou Inan. One of the few religious buildings in the city that non-Muslims may enter, the Medersa (madrassa - Islamic school of learning) is a sumptuous architectural gem and one of Morocco's most gorgeous buildings. Up until the 1960s, this was still a functioning theological school, and the restoration efforts since that time have restored it to its original beauty. The carved woodwork and stucco decoration is magnificent and is a tribute to Morocco's master artisans.

   30 minutes here · Admission not included

6. Al-Attarine Madrasa

   Another example of fine Merenid architecture, the Medersa el-Attarine was built in 1325 by Abu Said. The courtyard here is a wonderful display of the intricate decoration from this period, with elaborate zellige tile work and cedar wood carvings. The upper floor is made up of a warren of cells, which were once home to students studying theology at the Qaraouiyine Mosque (once one of the world's first universities). If you climb up onto the rooftop, you can get great views of the green-tiled roof of the Qaraouiyine Mosque itself.

   30 minutes here · Admission not included

7. Chouara Tannery

   For shoppers, Fes el Bali is a paradise of local craftwork, with colorful Moroccan slippers, leatherwork, metalwork, rainbow-glass lamps, and tiles all displayed at stalls throughout the district. The streets just west of the Qaraouiyine Mosque have the greatest concentration of shopping opportunities. This is also where you can visit the famous Chouara tanneries of Fes, one of the top things to do in this area. Here, you can watch the traditional dying of animal skins-the first step in making Morocco's many leather products. Leather shops surrounding the tanneries provide bird's-eye views over the area from their rooftops and are the best place to take photos.

   1 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

ar, de, pt, en, it, fr, es

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 8 travelers per booking

Operated by

CHRIF TRANS & TRAVEL

Know before you go

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos