Fes

Fes, Morocco

Known as one of the imperial cities of Morocco, the opulent city of Fès is the country's oldest city, and it is split into two areas – Fès-el-Bali (Old Fes) and Fès-el-Djedid (New Fes) – as some mystical fusion of an ancient Islamic past and the French-influenced present. The endless Medina, which contains 9,500 streets, sells everything from jewellery to furniture, crafts, carpets, leather goods and spices.

Population:

1,07 Million

Currency:

1 Dirham = 100 Centimes

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 190 (112 from mobile phones)
Ambulance: 150
Fire Brigade: 15

Opening Hours:

While businesses are usually open from 9am-10pm, some of them may close for midday between 12pm and 3pm. Most shops are open daily while others establish individual opening hours.

Newspapers:

L’Opinion, National
Libération
Al-Bayane
International Herald Tribune

The City

Life in this sand-coloured city can seem provincial at times but this ancient feeingl only adds to its charm, and its sense of otherness: while donkeys still navigate the Medina as the main mode of transport for goods, you will see everything from cases of Coca-Cola to mattresses perched expertly and delicately atop the backs of docile beasts.

Fès is known for its handicrafts, and particularly for its famous blue and white tiles. Arabic is the main language in Morocco but French is widely spoken so it gets easier to get around compared to many other Arabic countries. People in Fès are exceptionally friendly and hospitable, and they love to talk to travellers and to proudly boast about their city. If you speak with locals for any length of time, be prepared to be invited to their house for tea – this is a genuine and innocent offer, so do not shy away from it, as it is a great way to get to know people and to get a feel for life here.

Do & See

As the third largest city in Morocco, Fès has a vast cultural heritage and a historic value for the region, and in the three districts Medina, Fès el Jedid and Ville Nouvelle, an ancient past meets the modern world: the decades of French rule in Morocco have left a unique influence that is visible in the infrastructure and cuisine. Be prepared that you can easily lose yourself in the many sights of the maze-like and car-free Old Town that, on the other hand, is absolutely worth the adventure. As the Medina is not for tourists only, due to its integral part in daily life, and in conducting business, you can here experience the traditional life.

Dining

Fès has a delightful dining scene with plenty of traditional Moroccan cuisine rounded out by chic European, an particularly French inspired eateries. Due to the temperate climate, many restaurants have outdoor gardens or patios, which add an enchanting element to the experience of traditional Moroccan food culture.

Cafes

No matter where you stop in Fes, you can always get Maghrebi mint tea, the traditional light sugared green tea with mint leaves that will refresh you throughout the whole day. Many of the cafes are delightfully French-inspired, with a delectable array of sweets and pastries. Note that most of the buildings in Fes shorter streets are not assigned numbers, so keep track of the streets' names only.