Fes: Medina Walking Tour with Entry Fees & Local Guide

Summary

Walk ancient alleys meet artisans see centuries-old traditions in fes

You’ll wander Fes Medina’s winding lanes with a local guide who knows every shortcut and story. Step inside sacred sites, watch artisans at work in the famous tannery, and pause for quiet moments among centuries-old mosaics. This tour includes all entry fees so you can focus on soaking up every detail — even if you lose your sense of direction (like I did).

What’s the experience like?

I stepped through Bab Boujloud and it was like the city swallowed us whole — the air changed, thicker with spice and something sweet I couldn’t place. Our guide, Hassan, grinned when he saw me hesitate at the first corner (it’s a maze in there, honestly). He waved us on, past stalls stacked with figs and copper lamps that caught the morning sun just right. I tried to keep up but kept getting distracted by little things — a cat curled on a blue-tiled doorstep, the way shopkeepers called out to each other in Arabic and French. It felt alive in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’re right there.

We ducked into the Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum — shoes off, voices low — and I remember this faint smell of incense mixed with old stone. Hassan told us stories about Fez’s founding that made me realize how much history is packed into these streets. At Nejjarine Fondouk Museum, I got lost staring at carved woodwork (I think my fingers still smelled like cedar after). The Attarine Madrasa was next; green tiles everywhere, sunlight bouncing off them so bright it made me squint. There was a moment where we just stood quietly in one of those courtyards and listened to distant calls to prayer drifting over rooftops. That stuck with me.

The tannery was wild — you can smell it before you see it, sharp and earthy. They handed us sprigs of mint to hold under our noses (which helped, sort of). Watching the workers move hides between vats dyed every color you can imagine… I tried asking one man how long he’d been doing this work but my French fell apart halfway through. He just smiled and shrugged; sometimes you don’t need words for these things. The day trip through Fes Medina felt less like sightseeing and more like being let in on something old and ongoing. Still thinking about those colors.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Fez Medina and key landmarks

• Enter city through main gate
• Walk through local market
• Visit Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum
• Explore Nejjarine Fondouk Museum
• See Attarine School
• Visit Al Karaouine University
• Observe Leather Tannery artisans

Top questions

Is entry to Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum included?

Yes, all entrance fees are included in this guided tour.

How long does the Fes Medina walking tour last?

The main stops are covered within a half-day itinerary.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No, travelers should have at least moderate physical fitness due to uneven terrain.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

What attractions are visited during the day trip?

The tour includes Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum, Nejjarine Museum, Attarine School, Al Karaouine University, and the leather tannery.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided sightseeing walk through Fes Medina with all entrance fees covered for key sites like Moulay Idriss II Mausoleum and Nejjarine Museum; you’ll also visit historic schools and watch artisans at the famous leather tannery before heading back out into the city’s lively streets.