Medina of Fez

The old town of Fez is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a strong sign of the wealth this medina offers. The old town is the oldest in Morocco and surely the most incredible in the Arab world. As tourist guides often say, the medina of Fez is an open-air museum.

The craftsmen, also called Maalems in Morocco, have maintained a unique know-how for thousands of years around leather, metal, fabric… this richness that makes Fez’s reputation.

The Medina of Fez, 9500 alleys

Also called Fez El Bali, the medina has preserved its historic ramparts, the old town is surrounded by walls with 12 gates (link to the content on the gates of Fez), each with its own name.

You can take a tour of the medina along a road that passes in front of all the gates and offers breathtaking views of the medina of Fez. Within this medina, several riads have opened where traditional houses have been converted into rooms, you may spot a few furnished terraces. The medina contains about 9500 alleys, imagine the difficulty of (re)finding your way and creating visual landmarks.

A medina listed by UNESCO

It is a set of houses, all intertwined with one another and built gradually around the Quaraouine and Andalusian quarters on each side of the Fez river. They are at the origin of the construction of Fez and form, together with all the districts, an exceptional labyrinth.

The Riad Jamai team advises taking the time to explore the medina step by step, it is discreet and shy, you will need to dare to push open a few doors to discover the treasures of this city. You will notice the atmosphere that reigns in this medina where good manners are not just an empty phrase. Fez is a religious city, cultural and spiritual capital, please respect this way of life.

The Riad Jamaï experience for your stay in Fez

Some tabs on our website will give you more precise answers to your questions about visits or places in Fez. The Riad Jamaï team has written some notes on the must-sees of Fez, such as the gates, the craftsmen, the shopping alleys and even a few addresses to discover the hidden treasures behind heavy cedar wood doors.