Fes

Having a reputation for being one of the most unsafe cities in all of Morocco, is Fes. Though I never felt unsafe here, even walking through the medina by myself, you do need to have your wits about you, as you get lost through the medina. Fes’s medina is one of the most hectic that I was in (second only to Marrakech), and is extremely easy to get lost in, which is when locals typically try to take advantage of tourists. They will offer their assistance in getting you back to a main route, only to take you down a dead end path and demand you pay them money before letting you actually get back. With that said, don’t let this deter you from visiting the city, as it has many beautiful things to see that you would otherwise miss out on in Morocco. 

Every city in Morocco has its own vibe, and Fes was no exception. I only spent one day in the city, but that seemed like more than enough to me. At the main entrance to the medina is the Blue Gate - an infamous archway that captures Moroccan architecture in its style. Walking through the archway into the medina and souks, you feel an immediate connection. The smells of the spices are stimulating; the sounds are energizing; and the feeling - chaotic & confusing. You will pass by a million vendors all selling you essentially the same things – fresh fruits and veggies, meats, spices, argon oil, ceramic tiles with Moorish influence, household goods, clothes, leather goods, & jewelry. Though you are more than likely to get lost, wander around and explore the hectic old city and everything that it has to offer. You can find some real bargains in the old medina, so Fez is a great place to stock up on souvenirs to take home!

Aside from the main medina and souks within, Fes is well known for its leather tannery, where you can go and see the different steps that hide goes through before coming leather (and believe me, its not a pleasant, or good smelling process) at one of many different tannery shops. You can also pay a visit to the Jnan Sbil gardens to get out of the crazy hustle and bustle of the city, or check out the Al-Attarine Madrasa that was once a school, and is now an immaculate showcase of Moroccan influenced architecture and style.

Jnan Sbil Gardens

A quick walk to the west of the blue gate and before you reach the Jewish quarter (the Mellah), you will find the Jnan Sbil Gardens. The city of Fes is a desert for most of the year, and these gardens are the only proper green space within, so they are a great stop to soak in some fresh air and relax from the hectic city life, have a picnic on one of the shaded benches, and enjoy the beauty of nature surrounding you. For a drink (or pot of mint tea) with a view, try Mezzanine - it has a rooftop terrace with a lounge, and great vantage point overlooking the gardens.

Al Attarine Madrasa 

The Al Attarine Madrasa (meaning perfume, and named because of its location to the perfume souks) is a school using for religious instruction. It was built during the Marinid dynasty in 1325, and the beauty here lies mainly in the courtyard. From the walls to the ceilings, to the floors, there was not an inch of space that was missed in the design of this awe-inspiring space. There are 3 main artistic elements that can be seen throughout the space. The first, a series of engraved patterns that are centered on a symmetrical grid, the second, tiled Islamic geometric patterns and the third, painted Arabic calligraphy. The floors have simple tiles, as the geometric patterns used in the rest of the Madrasa was believe to be too sacred to be walked on.

For a small fee, you can enter the Madrasa, spend as much time as you like, and take as many photos of the incredible and unique courtyard.