Fez Medina & Jewish Quarter Tour: Royal Palace and Tanneries

Medieval alleyways, ceramic workshops, and a 9th-century tannery in one day

A full-day guided tour of Fez takes you through the Medina (a 9th-century medieval city and the cultural heart of Morocco) with three hours on foot through narrow souks and Koranic schools, then by car to the Royal Palace, Jewish quarter, and panoramic hills. You'll see ceramic and mosaic work, the oldest continuous University mosque in the world, and Morocco's oldest and biggest tannery, accompanied by a professional guide in your choice of five languages.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Fes Medina and surroundings

• Visit Royal Palace of Fes
• Explore Jewish quarters
• Enjoy panoramic view of old city
• Visit ceramic and mosaic workshop
• Walk through ancient medina
• Admire Arabic-Andalusian architecture
• Visit oldest continuous university mosque
• Discover medieval Koranic schools
• Visit oldest and biggest tannery

The experience

The Medina of Fez is the best-preserved medieval city in the Muslim world, and the morning starts inside it on foot. You'll wander the narrow alleyways for about three hours, moving through souks and stopping at Medrasa Bou Inania and Medrasa Sherratine: medieval Koranic schools where students traveled to study centuries ago. The guide points out the three main components of Arabic and Andalusian architecture: ceramic art, carved plaster, and carved wood. You'll also see the oldest continuous University mosque in the world, tucked into the old city's maze of streets.

After exploring a ceramic and mosaic workshop just outside the city walls, you shift to the car for the sights that need transport. The Royal Palace comes first, then the Jewish quarter, and then the hills surrounding the Medina for a panoramic view of the entire old city spread below. The oldest and biggest tannery in Morocco is also on the route. A working operation where leather has been dyed and treated the same way for generations. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is an air-conditioned vehicle and mineral water throughout the day.

What’s included

• Hotel or riad pickup and drop-off.
• professional driver and local guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the car portion.
• mineral water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day24 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 19:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Under 18: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Happy Moroccan Tours

Is this one for you?The five-hour commitment leaves your afternoon free after drop-off, so you can rest or explore Fez's newer medina or the ville nouvelle on your own. If you need a full-day activity with no downtime, this tour ends early enough to fit another half-day excursion into the same day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Medina of Fez and why is it considered important?

The Medina of Fez was founded in the 9th century and is the best-preserved medieval city in the Muslim world, regarded by many as the cultural and spiritual heart of Morocco. It contains the oldest continuous University mosque in the world and medieval Koranic schools that once drew students from across the region.

How much time do I spend walking in the narrow alleyways versus traveling by car?

You'll walk for about three hours through the Medina's souks and schools, then travel by car to visit the Royal Palace, Jewish quarter, panoramic viewpoint, and the tannery outside the city walls.

What can I see at the tannery, and is it still in use?

Morocco's oldest and biggest tannery is still a working operation where leather is dyed and treated using traditional methods that have remained unchanged for centuries. You'll see the vats and process as part of the tour route.

Will I have time to buy anything in the souks, or is this a walking tour only?

The tour includes three hours of walking through the souks, so you'll have time to browse and shop among the vendors. The pace is slow enough to explore at leisure while the guide explains what you're seeing.