Fez cultural and handicraft tour: Medina, tanneries, artisans

Walk the medina's craft quarters and watch artisans at work in leather, bronze and tile

A full-day guided tour of Fez's old and new medinas with a private driver and English-, Spanish- or French-speaking guide, visiting the 14th-century Fes El Jadid, the royal palace gates, Borj Nord for panoramic views, and the 9th-century Fes El Bali where you see working tanneries, bronze smiths, carpenters' souks and the Quaraouiyine University. Hotel or riad pickup is included; lunch at a Moroccan restaurant is your own cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Fez cultural and handicraft tour

• Pick up from hotel or Riad
• Tour medina ramparts for 2 hours
• Visit Fes El Jadid and Jewish quarter
• See synagogue or cemetery
• View gates of royal palace
• Visit Borj Nord for panoramic view
• Explore pottery section and artisans
• Explore old medina Fes El Bali
• Visit Medersas and quaraouiyine university
• See seffarine bronze section
• Visit Najjarine Souk and fountain
• Visit mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II
• Visit tanneries and weavers
• Enjoy lunch in Moroccan restaurant

The Experience

Fes El Jadid opens the morning—the 14th-century section where you'll walk the Jewish quarter (Mellah), see the synagogue or cemetery, and stand at the famous gates of the royal palace. The medina ramparts take about two hours on foot, and from Borj Nord you get a panoramic view before heading to the pottery section to watch artisans making mosaics and tiles by hand.

The afternoon moves into Fes El Bali, the 9th-century medina, where the density of craft work shifts the whole experience. You'll visit one of the famous Medersas—a 14th-century Quranic school—and the Quaraouiyine University, the oldest university in the world. The Seffarine section shows bronze workers; the Najjarine Souk is where carpenters work; the Nejjarine Fountain and Fondouk are architectural landmarks; and the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II marks the founder's tomb. The tanneries come next—the leather place where hides are dyed in stone vats—followed by the weavers' quarter.

Your guide navigates the medina's narrow passages and explains what you're seeing at each stop. The vehicle is air-conditioned and waits outside the old quarters; water is provided throughout. Lunch happens at a Moroccan restaurant partway through, and the tour runs 6 to 7 hours total, ending with drop-off at your hotel or riad.

What’s included

• Private transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel or riad pickup and drop-off.
• a professional local guide in English, Spanish or French.
• mineral water throughout the day.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by Fez Tour Guide

Is this one for you?The 6- to 7-hour commitment means you see both the new and old medinas, the craft quarters and the major landmarks in one day without rushing—but it's a full day of walking and stops, so it works best if you're comfortable on your feet and want the medina's depth rather than a quick overview.

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Top questions

What is the Quaraouiyine University and why is it on this tour?

The Quaraouiyine University, located in Fes El Bali, is the oldest university in the world and a centerpiece of the medina's intellectual history. The tour includes a visit so you can see the building and understand its place in Fez's cultural significance.

Do I walk through the tanneries, or do I just see them from a distance?

The tanneries are part of the walking tour through Fes El Bali. You visit the leather section where hides are dyed in traditional stone vats, so you see the process up close with your guide's explanation of the craft.

How much of the day is spent walking in the medina versus traveling by vehicle?

The medina ramparts take about two hours on foot in the morning. The rest of the day alternates between walking through Fes El Bali's quarters and returning to the air-conditioned vehicle between stops. Your guide sets the pace and the driver handles transport outside the old city.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch at a Moroccan restaurant is part of the day's itinerary but is not included in the tour price—you pay for your meal separately.

What language does the guide speak?

The guide speaks English, Spanish, or French. You choose your language preference when you book.

Will the tour feel crowded, or is it just my group?

This is a private tour with your own guide and driver, so it's just your group moving through the medina together.