- Sample Itineraries
Points of Interest
- Fès
- Meknès and Volubilis
- Marrakech
- Rabat and Casablanca
- Tanger and the North
- High Atlas
- Sahara Desert
- Taroudant
Travel to Fès With Heritage Tours Private Travel
The spiritual and intellectual capital of Morocco, well over 1,000 years old, Fes was first declared capital of the Kingdom of Morocco in the early ninth century by the son of Moulay Idriss, the great-grandson of the prophet Mohamed who brought Islam to Morocco.
It would serve again as capital in the Middle Ages and again in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was to Fes that the French and Spanish governments came in 1912 to force the Sultan to hand over His kingdom in the Treaty of Fes.
Medieval Fes was one of the world's great centers of education and culture: both Islamic and Jewish. Its religious institutions and its libraries are legendary. Its mosques are of great renown. And it was to Fes that many of the Muslims (and Jews) expelled from Spain by Ferdinand and Isabella came in 1492.
Although it is no longer political capital, in many ways little has changed since the Middle Ages. Fes remains the soul and spirit—and symbol—of Morocco.
The narrow, winding streets and alleys of Fes are filled with arched gateways which, in turn, lead to brilliant courtyards which are marvels of intricate architecture: it is these enclosed courtyards, oases of calm, which are the centers of mosques, riads (traditional mansions), inns for travelers, and medressas (religious universities surrounding courtyards with marble fountains). They are courtyards created of lavish and pristine marble, carved cedar wood, colorful intricate tile (zellij) and carved plaster proclaiming quotes from the Koran.
The vibrant markets of Fes—organized by trade—form their crafts using methods from the ancient past. Most colorful (pardon the pun) is the dyers souk, where giant vats of dye are worked by men who jump in the vats to dye to leather hides. Of equal interest are the brass and ceramic souks.
Fes is still an extremely religious and traditional city. Most women still wear veils. The government is currently moving 20% of the population of the medina to newer quarters to help the overcrowding so that Fes will continue to function as a viable city without suffocating due to the booming population.
HeritageTours offers you the loveliest accommodations in Morocco. Most famous is the luxurious, old-world Palais Jamai, with five-star facilities, four-star service and unbeatable views of the medina.
Even more memorable are a unique pair of accommodations within the World Heritage-designated medina. We have long supported their efforts to preserve the fabric of the medina and are proud to offer our guests a unique, truly Fassi experience. In Riad Maison Bleue and La Maison Bleue, you have the opportunity to luxuriate in historic mansions—lovingly restored—with period furniture, some of the finest food in Morocco you can find outside a private home and a truly genuine, heartfelt hospitality. The owner, Mehdi Abbadi, exudes a pride of place and spirit —and a love of his city—that you will remember for many, many years.
Recent years have brought about a renewed pride in the city as well as efforts to preserve many of its crumbling monuments and to make the medina more accessible for visitors.
A visit to Fes refreshes the spirit. For all the sights of Fes—and there are many—the greatest joy, perhaps, is just walking around and discovering the treasures of his magical city for yourself.
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