Fes: Introduction

Ancient, intriguing, and truly spellbinding, the grand imperial city of Fes (also spelt Fez) is a fascinating destination.

Fes is divided into 3 distinct areas.: These are the ville nouvelle, Fes el Jdid (New Fes), and Fes el Bali (Old Fes). With its wide café-lined boulevards, the French inspired ville nouvelle is the newest part of the city. This is the city’s modern commercial and business heart and it’s here where you’ll find many restaurants, cafes and hotels in Fes. The district known as Fes el Jdid (New Fes) actually dates from the13th Century and this is where you’ll discover the mellah - the old Jewish Quarter of Fes. Fes el Bali (Old Fes) is the beating heart of the city and is where you’ll want to spend the majority of your time while in Fes.

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the medina of Fes el Bali is the best preserved and largest living medieval city in the world. An elaborate maze of 9000 narrow streets where the only transport is the mule, it’s in this fascinating area that the majority of sights in Fez can be found. While there are plenty of attractions to seek out including Fes’ famous tanneries, the fantastic Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, and the beautiful Medersa Bou Inania College, the real highlight of a visit to the medina is to simply wander the intriguing old streets. As you explore the numerous alleyways, you’ll witness the city’s many and varied craftsmen working in traditional ways, discover bustling markets selling all manner of intriguing goods, and see the residents of the medina going about their daily routines in a way that appears to have changed little since the middle ages. Fes is a truly special city. Prepare yourself for a unique experience.