Discover Morocco’s cultural capital
Fes is often considered the cultural heartland of Morocco. The sprawling alleyways of its medina radiate ancient history and labyrinthine souks fan out from the old city. Our Fes holidays open up a warren of aromatic food stalls and buzzing craft workshops, in streets where the donkey is still the only form of transport.
Fes is undergoing something of a revival. Its medina hasbeen receiving a facelift. Its riads have been upgraded with beautiful parks and gardens. Fast-paced, charming and utterly romantic, the city eclectically mixes old and new, with satellite dishes as likely to puncture the sky as minarets.
We highly recommend losing yourself for a few hours in the souks and ambling down tiny alleyways. It’s the best way to stumble upon hidden treasures. The sheer scale of the place can sometimes be a little overwhelming, but our guides will introduce you to the wonderful craftsmen (many of whom are old friends), giving you a fantastic insight into the inner workings of the bazaar. You’ll learn how knowledge is passed down through generations, from the intricate carving of dark cedar to the painstaking painting of zellij tiles.
The highlight of any Fes tour however, is the Bou Inania Medersa, a beautifully restored old theological college. With its exquisite marble courtyard and stalactite-domed entrance chamber, it’s one of the few religious sites in Morocco accessible to non-Islamic visitors.
A closeby UNESCO World Heritage Site is Meknes, one of the Imperial Cities of Morocco where you can view the Bab Mansour gateway. Surrounded by rich plains, Meknes is blessed with land abundant in olives, grapes (perfect for wine tasting), citrus fruit and other agricultural products that are vital to the city’s economy.