Fez’s long history and cultural significance mean that this is a great place to visit if you enjoy festivals.
Four Moussems are held in or around the city every year: Moulay Abdallah ben Brahim is celebrated in May, Sidi Lahcen ben Ahmed in August and September has two: Maulay Idriss II and Moulay Idris Zerhoun. These festivals are full of life, colour and traditional entertainment; ideal for a tourist looking to uncover the cultural side of Fez.

Just outside Fez, the Cherry Festival is held every June on the slopes of the Middle Atlas. The festival includes music and markets, a stunning procession by torchlight, sporting competitions and the election of ‘Miss Cherry’.

And October is your chance to see one of the major highlights of the festival calendar. The Tissa Fantasia horse festival is an unforgettable spectacle as hundreds of thoroughbred Arab-Berbers, Arab stallions and Barbary mares are put through their paces in displays over ten days.

Fez has escaped much of the development that has taken place in cities such as Marrakech and Rabat, making it easy for you to discover the culture that underlies this fascinating city.

The big attraction is the medina, a UNESCO Heritage Site that encapsulates the Fez way of life. This interconnected mass of souks has grown over the centuries to its current size, but many of the stalls have been the same for generations – a fascinating look into the past. Another place to visit is the tannery in the Moulay Abdellah where they’ve been making leather for centuries.

Fez loves to celebrate its culture; be there for the Festival of Sufi Culture, the Cherry Festival or the breathtaking Fantasias that so distinguish Fez, and take away memories that will last a lifetime.

Overlooked by the towering Zalagh and Tghat mountains, Fez is a perfect place for some off-road biking. As you climb away from all the hustle and bustle of the city life, you’ll find yourself in the midst of wild lavender, pine trees and olive groves, exploring gorgeous places that are virtually untouched by tourism. As in many Moroccan cities, hiring bikes is easy and there are many locals who will act as a tour guide for your trip, providing you with fun and insightful facts about the area. On your ride you can expect to discover lush green valleys, cedar forests and thermal springs. And don’t worry; there are routes for everyone, from beginner bikers to the more advanced riders.

Fez will give you and your family the opportunity to dive into authentic Moroccan life at its best. It’s a place proud of its past, where you can immerse yourself and your family in the local culture, and have a great time doing so.

Why not spend a day out at one of the local farms in the mountains where you may find you can get involved with baking bread, rolling couscous and even treading grapes? Or you could create your own drum at a Foundouk in the ancient Medina before being taught the correct way to play it by one of the resident drummers. And should your children be bitten by the craft bug, you’ll also find plenty of places to make your own jewellery or decorate pottery, Moroccan style.

If you’re looking for a city rich in traditional Moroccan eating and drinking experiences then Fez is your ideal destination. Mint tea – that most classic of Moroccan drinks – is served everywhere; try the cafés around the souks for a taste, and while you’re there you can  indulge in the famous Moroccan street food that is served around here. Pastilla, couscous, tajines, mechoui – the tantalising recipes haven’t changed for hundreds of years.

Of course, in a city this size, most tastes are catered for, so alongside traditional Moroccan offerings you can find restaurants serving European food, vegetarian meals, and even a few American fast food chains.

While in many ways one of the most traditional cities in Morocco, Fez doesn’t lag behind when it comes to golf. With two courses, one run by the prestigious Braemar Golf and the other by the equally esteemed Troon Company, this ancient city is an excellent destination for anyone looking to swing the clubs on their holiday.

The Fez Royal Golf Club has been around since 1994, and it has recently been the subject of a major renovation and making it once again fit for a king. It’s a taxing course: huge bunkers and sloping terrain lie in wait to raise your score, but it’s a fun eighteen holes nonetheless.

The modern Oued Fez Golf Course is in the north of the city by the river. A relaxing oasis, golfers will enjoy the views of the Atlas mountains and the wild birds in the water features as they play.

Fez Royal Golf Club
Designer: Cabell B. Robinson (1994)
Holes: 18
Par: 72 (6,885m)
· Clubhouse with restaurant
· Locker rooms
· Buggy hire, trolley hire and club hire
· Driving range, putting green, pitching green and practice bunker
· Tuition available
Getting There: The course is to the south of Fez
WOW FACTOR: The benefactor of a recent renovation, now a true jewel of Moroccan Golf

Oued Fez Golf Course
Designer: Jonathan Gaunt (2012)
Holes: 18
Par: 72 (5,800m)
· Clubhouse with restaurant and bar
· Changing facilities
· Buggy hire
· Extensive practice facilities including driving range
· Golf Academy
Getting There: On the North side of the city on the river Fez
WOW FACTOR: The exotic birds that make their home in the water features

There are over two hundred and fifty hammams in Fez, a welcome escape for the sight-seeing weary and footsore traveller.

Hammams in Fez differ slightly from their rural counterparts in that it is considered immodest to completely strip, so underwear is recommended. Several Riads have their own spas which feel closer to the type of spa you might encounter in Europe; they are of course more expensive and generally less authentic. If you ask an attendant at your hotel they are often happy to attend the hammams with you, and offer guidance to the age old traditions of the culture.

The Imperial City of Fez has stood in the north of Morocco for 1,200 years. Walking inside the walls it’s easy to see its history; out of the four major Moroccan cities, this is easily the one that has the strongest connection to the past. A fourteenth century mosque stands close to a Moorish estate built in the 1700s. Mourners trek daily into the ornate tomb of Moulay Idriss II and the oldest continuously operating university in the world, al-Karaouine, lies in the north-east of the city.

It’s in the Medina – Old Fez, the world’s largest car-free urban area – where the city’s heritage is most obvious. You can easily get lost in the twisting, labyrinthine streets, both literally and figuratively, but this is undoubtedly the best way to discover the true heritage of Fez.

When you’re in Fez, you’re perfectly placed to enjoy a day or so on the river. On the outskirts of Fez are several fast flowing rivers, perfect for white water rafting. As well as the great water available, the scenery is stunning, whether you’re looking at the landscape or the wildlife. Experienced companies in Fez will hire you kit, and arrange trips for you.You’ll travel through towering gorges that the river has cut over thousands of years, and wide open plains where you can see the small traditional villages of the Amazigh, plus the brightly coloured birds and native animals that call the river home.

As one of the four Imperial Cities of Morocco, you’d expect Fez to be a place of luxury and opulence … and you’d be right.

The city has a fine selection of palatial riads and opulent five star hotels for you to choose from, each offering lavish facilities and top-drawer service. Whether it’s a vast palace, ultra-modern boutique hotel or traditional riad, you’re sure to enjoy an authentic warm Fez welcome in beautiful surroundings.

Out and about there are many excellent spas where you can luxuriate in relaxing surroundings. There are also several high-class restaurants, serving gourmet food created by the best chefs in the country.

With the imposing Middle Atlas mountain range to the south, and the wild Rif mountains in the north, Fez is a fantastic base for a motorbike adventure. There are several local companies in the city who will hire you a bike and all the gear you need for your two-wheeled trek, then the road is yours!
Ride just a few miles out of the city and you’ll soon find yourself climbing in the foothills with the mountain trail underneath your wheels. The views become ever more impressive as you get higher, and when it’s time to descend again there are plenty of switchbacks which will test and exhilarate you.

Fez is often called Morocco’s spiritual heart, so it’s fitting that it’s the home of the World Sacred Music Festival. This is one of the world’s most important music festivals and has been recognised for its promotion of diverse cultural and religious dialogue.
Every May this gathering of musicians, scholars and religious leaders draws together different musical and cultural traditions and blends them in a series of performances, shows, workshops and exhibitions. It has free daily concerts, and the celebrations go on late into the evening. This week-long festival is a must-attend for anyone seeking the spiritual side of Morocco.

Fez has always prided itself on remaining the authentic soul of Morocco. Founded in 789, at various times the city has had influxes of Arabs, Andalusians, Amazigh, French and even Ottoman Turks. It’s a place perhaps more in touch with its medieval heritage than any other in Morocco, though it’s definitely embraced the twenty-first century. Much like the city’s architecture, the people are a mix of all these different cultures, but visitors will be pleased to know that Morocco’s renowned hospitality runs strongly in the veins of the Fez people.

Imperial Fez is the spiritual heart of the kingdom – nowhere else in Morocco is so deeply connected with its historic roots. Between the minarets and the ornate archways, there is still that mystical air that has drawn seekers of peace and harmony to its cracked and dusty streets for decades. It’s a place to relax, to learn, to be inspired and to reconnect.

When you come here on a retreat, it’s easy to escape from the world to the heart of one of the many ornate riads you find in Fez. While you’re here you’ll be able to practise yoga, spend time meditating, indulge in a refreshing hammam treatment from one of the city’s 250 hammams and just savour the atmosphere in this special city.

Over the years Fez has remained resistant to tyrants and trends alike, and it’s this tradition and resilience which now makes Fez one of the top shopping spots in Morocco. The Medina, a UNESCO Heritage site, has become a haven for the local craftsmen. It’s easy to lose your way in the maze of streets: make the most of this and enjoy the extraordinary selections of artefacts and delicacies on offer.

The amazing Chouara Tannery by the Oued Bou Khareb is an immersive experience with bold colours and scents. The leather products are available from a plethora of vendors surrounding the tannery and the item’s story makes it even more valuable as a holiday memento. You should also visit the Souk el Hanna; the food, jewellery, ceramics and textiles all jumbled amongst the cool corridors offer a shopping experience not to be missed.

The imperial city of Fez is a fabulous maze of culture and wonder, but if you can find your way out of its winding streets there is a wealth of trekking adventures to embark on. Sahara tours across the breath-taking Erg Chebbi dunes will astound and captivate you with the dramatic beauty of the area. If you fancy embarking on an adventure for a whole day or two, why not travel from Fez to see some of the nearby small traditional towns, each of which offers a unique experience? You might also like to visit the Tazekka National Park and the ruins of Volubilis. Treks are available over shorter distances for families and four-by-four vehicles with local drivers are also available for hire.