Talaa
9 500 ruelles, un musée à ciel ouvert classé au patrimoine mondial de l'Unesco.
Who hasn’t wandered through the talaa of the Fez medina during their stay in Morocco? These two streets are the main arteries of commerce in the old town, with a countless number of items, souvenirs, babouches, clothes… everything. The talaa are called Talaa Kbira, meaning the big slope, and Talaa el Sghria, meaning the small slope.
The Talaa are a must-see in Fez, Morocco
It’s with motivation and suitable shoes that you’ll walk through the streets called Talaa. The atmosphere there is friendly and pleasant, scenes of Moroccan life at every street corner, and the smells caress your taste buds. These shopping streets of the medina are called slopes because they go up or down depending on your direction of travel, without being a physical challenge. The hardest part is the jostling when you’re there during peak hours; apart from that guaranteed walk, you’ll be spoiled for choice in terms of products—it’s a life-size flea market where you can even try things on.
Walking, strolling through the Fez medina
To find your bearings geographically, the talaa run from R’cif square to Boujloud square; they are two parallel slopes that climb in parallel toward the blue gate of the Fez medina. In the upper part, you’ll find places to eat, with traditional Moroccan restaurants just a few meters from snack stalls for sandwiches. These passageways are great places to negotiate your purchases, as the shopkeepers there are pleasant and not overly pushy, unlike in other Moroccan cities.
All the richness of northern Morocco on Talaa
Good spots along the slopes (talaa) include, for example, Café Clock, created by an Englishman—it’s located in a traditional house with a patio and several fitted-out terraces. At Café Clock, you eat and drink traditional Moroccan dishes; be warned, for groups it’s not always easy to find a seat. Another nice spot is right below Café Clock, a rooftop café where you can have mint or absinthe tea in a more authentic and unpretentious setting. Access to the terrace is unusual but offers peace and quiet away from the bustle of the medina.
The team at Riad Fez Jamaï is located a 20-minute walk through the medina to explore these streets, which are a well-known area featured in the city’s tourist guides. The long streets of Talaa are lined with a succession of shopkeepers in their stalls, climbing up through the medina, and they offer a wonderful showcase of the range of Moroccan craftsmanship and products made in Morocco.