The third largest city in the country (after Casablanca and Rabat), it is the religious and cultural capital. Fez is also a place full of history, with typical Islamic architecture and beautiful handicrafts. As if this were not enough, it is much less crowded than Marrakech.
It forms, together with Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat, the set of Imperial Cities of the Kingdom of Morocco. It also has the oldest university in the world, from the ninth century, which was also founded by a woman. Today it has almost 2 million inhabitants.
The city of Fez is divided into 3 zones: Fez el Bali is the old, walled city, where you will probably stay and spend most of your time, as it is where most of the places to see in Fez are, including the medina and the main madrassas. Fez el Jdid would be the extension of the former, and there is the Jewish quarter. Finally, the Ville Nouvelle, created by the French in the twentieth century, and where the train station is located.
Fez was founded by Idris I in the eighth century, and during the Middle Ages received much immigration, both Arabs and Jews. It was several times the capital of the country. Today it is still one of the most important cities in the Arab world, with students and pilgrims from all over the world. In addition, its tourist importance continues to grow.
Climate
Its climate is characterized by mild temperatures most of the year. The only delicate moment is in summer, when the temperature is around 30 degrees approximately, being advisable not to expose yourself too much to the sun and wear sunglasses and / or hat in summer during the day.
It is in winter and the month before and after when it gets colder, so you need a jacket for the day and especially a coat for the night, and it is also when there is some chance of rain (about 20%), advising to carry a small umbrella if you travel then.
How to get there
The plane is the most common and recommended way to get to this city, partly because it has very good communication with European airports and also because for some time low cost airlines are being implemented in this destination.
In addition, Fez airport is very close to the city (only 12 kilometers). Once we land the best way to get to the accommodation will be to move by cab, probably costing around 150 dirhams, although if we are skilled in the art of bargaining we can close the deal for 120 dirhams.
Another cheaper option is to make use of the buses that leave regularly from the station every half hour, which cost 4 dirhams per person, although they go only to the train station.
Thanks in part to being one of the capitals of Morocco, as well as by plane to reach Fez by train is very easy. It has good communication with a variety of major cities, especially Marrakech and Tangier.
Timetables and prices depending on the point of origin can be consulted on the website of the Moroccan train company, the OCNF (the page is in French). However, although you can buy tickets online, it is only possible if you have a Moroccan credit card.
Being a city located in the center of Morocco and a major capital within the country, it has very good road communication from almost everywhere. The best roads (mostly highways) communicate with other major cities such as Marrakech, Rabat or Tangier.
Places of Interest
Medina Fes el-Bali
Medina Fes el-Jdid
Bou Inania Madrasa
Chouara Tannery