Car-free
Thousands of lanes.
Fellardollar Id — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Dieglop — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andrzej Wójtowicz from Poznań, Poland — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Rodrigo Silva — CC BY 2.0 · Rodrigo Silva — CC BY 2.0 · Casual Builder — CC BY-SA 4.0 · HMAMOUCHE Asmae — CC BY-SA 4.0 · NimbleNH — CC BY-SA 3.0
The oldest part of Fes, founded by the Idrisids as their capital between 789 and 808 AD; it began as two towns on either bank of the Fes River that merged under the Almoravids. Together with Fes el-Jdid it forms the medina of Fez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. Fes el Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, with thousands of narrow winding lanes used only by people and by donkeys and mules carrying goods. Two main streets, Tala'a Kebira and Tala'a Seghira, run down from Bab Bou Jeloud into the heart of the city. The souks are still grouped by craft as they have been for centuries: coppersmiths in Seffarine Square, tanners at the Chouara tannery, the Attarine souk of spices and perfumes, the henna souk. At its heart are the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, the shrine of Moulay Idris II and superb Marinid madrasas. Wandering the medina is free, but it is easy to get lost, so hire an official licensed guide on your first visit and turn down unofficial guides offering their services at the gates. The medina is busy by day and quieter in the evening, and many shops close on Fridays.
Thousands of lanes.
Copper, leather, spice.
The main street.
Old medina, Fes
Nejjarine Museum of Wooden ArtsA historic funduq, an inn for merchants and travellers, in the heart of Fes el B3 minutes walk
Al-Attarine MadrasaA small, exquisite madrasa built by the Marinid sultan Abu Said Uthman II betwee5 minutes walk
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and UniversityOne of the oldest and most famous mosques of the Islamic world, founded by Fatim5 minutes walk
Bou Inania MadrasaA madrasa built by the Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris between 1350 and 1355, coun7 minutes walk
Chouara TanneryThe largest and one of the oldest of the three tanneries of Fes, on the bank of 7 minutes walkOn a first visit yes, an official licensed guide saves you getting lost and shows hidden sights; afterwards you can explore alone with confidence.