Fez Medina Walking Tour: Bab Bou Jeloud, Tannery & Nejjarine

Summary

Wander Fez’s ancient medina with a local, see mosques & tanneries

You’ll dive straight into Fez’s legendary medina with a local guide—getting lost in alleys lined with spices and carpets, seeing Bab Bou Jeloud up close, watching leather dyed at Chouara Tannery (mint leaves handy!), and hearing stories about ancient mosques. Expect surprises around every corner—and maybe a sticky fig or two.

What’s the experience like?

We met our guide just outside Bab Bou Jeloud—the Blue Gate—where the tiles really do look bluer than the sky. He grinned when I tried to say “salam” (I’m not sure I nailed it). The medina swallowed us up almost instantly. There’s this constant hum—people haggling, metalworkers hammering, kids darting past with trays of bread. Our guide, Youssef, kept pausing to point out things I’d have missed: old wooden doors with carvings so worn they felt soft under my fingers. At one point he bought us fresh figs from a street vendor. Sticky sweet, and somehow dustier than I expected (in a good way).

I didn’t realize how tight these alleys would get—sometimes we had to press against cool stone walls to let donkeys pass. The smell at Chouara Tannery hit me before we even saw it (Youssef handed us sprigs of mint for our noses; he winked like he knew what was coming). Watching the men work in those pools of color—reds and yellows so bright they looked unreal—I just stood there trying to take it in. It’s loud, messy, but there’s this rhythm to it all. We couldn’t enter Kairaouine Mosque but Youssef told stories about Fatima al-Fihri founding it centuries ago—he sounded proud every time he said her name.

Nejjarine Square was buzzing too—a group of older men played cards in the shade while someone poured tea nearby. We ducked into the museum for a bit (20 dirhams extra), but honestly I was more taken by the fountain outside, all geometric tiles and splashing water. The Dar Batha Museum was closed for renovation so we just peered through the gate; Youssef shrugged and said “next time.” By the end my feet were sore but my head was spinning—in a good way. He dropped us off right at our riad door, still smiling.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Fez Medina and key landmarks

• Visit Bab Bou Jeloud gate
• See Quaraouiyine Mosque exterior
• See Andalusian Mosque exterior
• Walk narrow streets with markets
• Visit Dar Batha Museum exterior
• Stop at Fontaine Najjarine and Museum
• Tour Chouara Tannery leather works
• Guide drops off at accommodation

Top questions

How long does the Fez Medina walking tour last?

The guided walking tour lasts approximately 4 hours.

Is hotel pickup included for this Fez Medina tour?

Yes, hotel or riad pickup is included in your booking.

Can non-Muslims enter Kairaouine Mosque during the tour?

No, entry is not permitted for non-Muslims but you can view it from outside.

What main sights are covered on this Fez Medina walking tour?

You’ll see Bab Bou Jeloud, Nejjarine Square & Museum, Chouara Tannery, Kairaouine Mosque (from outside), and Dar Batha Museum (if open).

Is entrance to Nejjarine Museum included?

No, entrance costs 20 dirhams and is not included in the tour price.

Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?

No, due to narrow uneven streets and crowds it’s not recommended for those with limited mobility or certain health conditions.

Are children allowed on this walking tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel or riad in Fez and guidance from an official licensed guide who’ll lead you through the medina’s highlights—Bab Bou Jeloud, Nejjarine Square (museum entry extra), Chouara Tannery—and return drop-off wherever you need in town.