The world's oldest living medieval city
Founded in 789 AD, Fez is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its medina, Fez el-Bali, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and remains the largest car-free urban area on the planet. Walking its 9,000 alleys is like traveling back in time.
The city is home to the University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD and widely regarded as the world's oldest operating university. The Bou Inania Madrasa, Chouara Tanneries, and the blue-tiled Nejjarine Fountain are just a few of the landmarks that draw travelers from across the globe.
Our guides were born and raised inside these ancient walls. When you explore Fez with Fez Cultural Tours, you're not following a tourist map: you're being welcomed into a living, breathing city by the people who call it home.
The oldest leather tannery in the world, still operating exactly as it did in the 11th century.
A 14th-century Islamic school with breathtaking carved stucco, cedar woodwork, and zellige tiles.
The oldest continuously operating university in the world, founded by a woman in 859 AD.
A beautifully restored caravanserai now housing a woodcraft museum and rooftop café.
The historic Jewish quarter of Fez with its distinctive architecture and remarkable history.
The Blue Gate: the main entrance to the medina and Fez's most photographed landmark.
March to May and September to November offer the most pleasant temperatures. Summer (June–August) is hot but the medina stays cool inside its ancient walls. Winter is crisp and beautiful.
Ready to explore Fez with a local guide? Browse all of our private Morocco tours from Fez: from medina day trips to multi-day Sahara expeditions.
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1 DaysLeave Fez behind for a day and head to Chefchaouen, Morocco's famed Blue Pearl. Tucked into the Rif Mountains, this small town is known for its striking blue-painted streets, a relaxed pace, and views that stop most visitors in their tracks. Whether you're a photographer, a culture enthusiast, or just looking for a quiet change of scene, Chefchaouen is worth the drive.
1 DaysThis day trip from Fez to Volubilis and Meknes covers two very different chapters of Moroccan history in a single outing. It pairs the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis with the imperial grandeur of Meknes, giving you a clear look at how far back the region's story actually goes.
1 DaysFez el-Bali is the world's largest car-free urban area and one of the most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage sites on earth. With 9,000 alleys, no street signs, and a living medieval economy still operating much as it has for a thousand years, it's genuinely hard to navigate alone and get much out of it. Our guides aren't hired staff; they were born inside the medina. Omar and Issam grew up in Fez el-Bali, went to school steps from the tanneries, and know every family, every craftsman, and every hidden doorway. Choose the half-day tour for a focused 4-hour introduction to the medina's greatest sites, or the full-day tour for an unhurried deep dive that also takes in the Pottery Village, the Mellah, and a traditional lunch with your guide.