7 Best Things to do in and around Fez, Morocco by World Wild Hearts

Category: Destination in video

World Wild Hearts is the travel blog of Zac and Ine, full-time digital nomads from the United States and Belgium. They met while studying abroad in 2018 and have been traveling the world together ever since. They try to be inspiring for their audience’s next adventure, whether it’s hiking in the Canadian Rockies, a road trip through the US, or backpacking across Africa. They have visited over 50 countries combined and love discovering the cultural and natural beauty in new places. Travel changed their lives and they believe it can be life-changing for others as well…

Zac and Ine visited Fez in December 2022 and filmed the following points of interest including:

> Fez Medina: The oldest walled part of Fez, often called el Bali, is a maze of over 9,000 narrow alleyways. It is recommended to take a guided tour, especially on the first day, to explore the historical sites and souks. The narrow streets of the medina keep out cars and most motorcycles.

> Marinid Tombs: Located on a hill north of the city, these tombs offer a panoramic view of the medina. Although the tombs are in a ruined state, they are still worth visiting for the view.

> Jnan Sbil Gardens: The only public garden in the area, it offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the medina.

> Bou Inania Madrasa: A 14th-century Islamic school, it is one of the few religious buildings that non-Muslims are allowed to enter. Visitors can admire the carved woodwork, marble courtyard, mosaic tile work, and decorations.

> Chouara Tannery: Located in the old town, the tannery has been the center of the city’s leather industry since the medieval era. The only way to get a bird’s-eye view of the dying pits is to visit the leather stores surrounding the tannery area.

They also mention that Fez is also a good starting point for visiting other places:

Volubilis: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is located an hour and a half drive from Fez. It is home to the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco.

Meknes: Known for its imperial past, the city of Meknes is often visited on day trips to Volubilis.

Chefchaouen: Known as the “Blue City”, or the “Blue Medina”, Chefchaouen is a three and a half-hour drive away and offers picturesque streets with houses painted in different shades of blue.

Zac & Ine's important tips

  • Download offline maps, like maps.me or Google Maps, as the streets of the medina are very narrow and the phone networks not always available.
  • Be careful of people trying to guide you through the medina, they might ask you for money in return.
  • Some places of interest in Fez may be closed, so check the opening hours before your visit.

"One of the nice things about the old town of Fez is that the streets are really narrow, which keeps all of the cars and most of the motorcycles out."
Zac & Ine
Travellers

You can watch more trips and destinations visited by Zac and Ine on their YouTube channel, on their Instagram, as well as on their website…