Visiting Fes
Valentines day in Fez
Due to the popular reaction to our recent article on Valentines Day special offers and ideas in Marrakesh, here are some alternatives in the perhaps even more romantic ancient city of Fez in Morocco.
Set in the old city’s winding streets, Riad Ibn Battouta in Fez offers seven suites stylishly designed to mirror the journey of Ibn Battouta, a fourteen-century pilgrim who travelled extensively from Spain to China, from Africa to Russia. Perfect location for a romantic escape we think. Riad Ibn Battouta is offering Morocco Gateway users complimentary dinner for two for stays over Valentines weekend of 3 nights or more. For more details on the riad and to make an enquiry, click here
Riad Ibn Battouta
Nearby in Fez is the wonderful Riad Mabrouka. Built in 1920, the Arabo-Andalousian house of Riad Mabrouka was renovated and restored in 2000 to create a guesthouse of 6 suites and 2 rooms, complete with a small swimming pool and restaurant. Riad Mabrouka has a special offer valid until the end of February and including Valentine’s weekend of dinner for 2 persons offered for a 3 nights stay minimum. Click here for more details on the riad.
Riad Mabrouka terrace
Or to view all hotels and riads in Fez including Riads Mabrouka and Ibn Battouta, click here.
Dar Batha Museum – Art, Craft and History
If you have an appreciation for art, craft and history, the Dar Batha Museum located in Fez, Morocco is a must-see attraction. This excellent collection of artifacts is housed in a Hispano-Moorish palace that dates back to the 19th century – a beautiful piece of art in itself.
So exactly what sort of traditional artwork can you expect to find at the Dar Batha Museum? Most traditional forms of art were also practical in nature so they usually took the form of furniture that was given a decorative touch. Therefore you can expect to enjoy intricately carved wooden furniture, wrought iron with decorative finishing touches, carpets, embroidery and jewelry.
The Dar Batha Museum also has a great collection of ancient coins. All of these intricately worked masterpieces of functional or decorative art are beautiful to behold and visitors may find themselves struggling to decide where to start and which item to look at next.
The best part of the museum, however, is undoubtedly the pottery room where you will find an unbeatable display of ceramic objects that have been masterfully crafted by Fez craftsmen through the centuries. Of particular interest are the articles dating back to the 10th century which contain items of ‘fez blue’. At the time, this relatively groundbreaking way of coloring pottery involved the use of cobalt to obtain the bluish coloring. Typical ceramics feature a white enamel background with stylized floral motives interweaved on them in brilliant shades of blue. The floral motifs are both sophisticated and harmonious and are a delight to behold.
Also worth seeing are the astrolabes – a display featuring a variety of fascinating astronomical instruments that were created and perfected by learned Arabs. They are not only functional, but wonderfully decorative with intricately worked metal and inset jewels. You’ll find the Dar Batha Museum at Place du Batha in Fez.
The Dar Batha Museum is close to all the Fez hotels and riads listed on Morocco Gateway which you can view by clicking here.
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Archeological Site of Volubilis
The Archeological Site of Volubilis represents beautifully preserved relics of the Roman era and was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1997. Volubilis can be easily visited in the day from any of the riads and hotels In Fez and in Meknes here.
It is believed that this spectacular city was constructed around 40 AD and that it was built on an old settlement which dated back to the third century. It became the administrative capital of the area and was known as Mauretania.
The extremely fertile lands that surrounded the city produced olive oils and grains that were exported to Rome.
It is also known that after the Romans withdrew from Morocco – which happened around the end of the third century – the city was not left uninhabited.
French archeologists started excavating the site in 1915 and more than 2,000 excavations by numerous institutions have followed. Today visitors will be able to view the Thermae, the Orpheus Mosaic, the Temple of Jupiter, oil presses, the Capitol, the third century Triumphal Arch and the Casilica.
This wonderfully preserved site should be visited by everyone who comes to Morocco as it provides a rare glimpse into the past.
Hotel of the Week: Riad Fes
If you’re looking for a luxurious break in Fes, Riad Fes could be the place for you. Located just minutes from the city’s bustling medina, this Fes riad is the perfect combination of traditional and modern Moroccan style.
Name: Riad Fes
Address: Derb Ben Slimane, Fes
Rating: ***
Recently given a bit of a makeover, Riad Fes combines a traditional wing with wooden ceilings and stucco with a modern wing featuring contemporary oriental styles and baroque influences, plus an entirely new third wing.
All rooms within the riad are en suite and whether in the modern or traditional areas all are beautifully and tastefully decorated.
For real luxury, book the Royal Suite. From its private balcony you will experience stunning views over the medina and beyond to the Atlas mountains.
The deluxe rooms are found in the modern area while the standard rooms are within the original part of the riad, offering a more authentically Moroccan experience.
Traditional Moroccan food is served in both Riad Fes’s restaurants, L’Ambre and L’Oriental. Here the menu includes tagines, soups and other meals cooked with ingredients from the local souk.
Le Salon Oriental, the riad’s lounge bar, offers a range of cocktails, liquers, wines and cigars. There is live music from a different local musical troupe every night.
Because of its location in central Fes, the city’s attractions are all easily accessible from this riad, and staff can even arrange guided tours of the city. For golf fans, they can also arrange a trip to Royal Golf, offering a specifically tailored golf experience.
If you fancy spending some time around the riad, there’s a 14×14m pool that you can dip into or relax around the edges on sun loungers. The pool is open 24 hours a day. You can also enjoy a thorough massage in the hammam and browse the library and souvenir shop.
Riad Fes is located 25 miles from Fez airport and pick up and drop off can be arranged on request. The beach at Casablanca is three hours drive away.
Morocco Gateway offers special rates for guests at Riad Fes. For more information, contact us via our booking enquiry page.
We also have offers on many other Moroccan hotels and riads in Fes and beyond.
Things to do in Fez
Fez is Morocco’s third largest city and is a hotbed of culture, the cultural and intellectual heartland of the country. There are so many things to see and do in the city that it would easily be possible to spend a month or more there without experiencing everything.
Of course, many travellers don’t have the luxury of a month to spend, so we’ve collected together some of our favourites – with a little help from our friends at Riad 9. If you’re travelling to Morocco soon, be sure you don’t miss out with our essential guide to things to do in Fez.
1 Dar Adiyel
Dar Adiyel was built in the 17th century as the house of the governor of Fez. It then became the city’s first bank before being transformed into a museum that showcased traditional Moroccan crafts and then a place to hear Andalousian music, before falling into disrepair and being abandoned. However, it has recently been restored by the Italian government and is once again a venue to hear traditional music. Visitors are welcome when classes are not taking place; just knock on the door and ask the guardian if it’s possible to come in.
2 Moulay Idrriss zaouia
This is the mausoleum of the son of the founder of Fez. There is a mosque in the grounds and you have to follow the Muslim faith to be allowed to enter – non Muslims won’t be able to view the tomb or the inside of the shrine, but you are able to look inside from the door and the outside of the shrine is well worth a look.
Wooden beams bisect the entrances to the holy area, originally put in place to indicate the sacred part that Christians, Jews and donkeys were forbidden to enter”
If you’re Muslim, you’re welcome to come inside and view everything. Outside there is some of the best zellij (patterned tiling) in Fez and the souk is interesting, too. You’ll see wooden beams bisecting the entrances to the holy area – they were originally put in place to indicate the sacred partthat Christians, Jews and donkeys were forbidden to enter.
3 The Mellah and Ibn Dan Synagogue
Fez’s Jewish quarter is a feast for the eyes with some stunning Art Deco and fascinating overhanging balconies. Originally, Fez’s Jewish population lived here and received special protection from the Sultan. The synagogue was built in the 17th century and has recently undergone restoration work. With a painted wooden beamed ceiling and blue tiled wainscotting, plus intricately carved plaster work above the Torah Ark, the interior of this synagogue will take your breath away.
4 Nejjarine Museum
This museum used to be a fundoq – an inn frequented by travelling merchants, who stayed upstairs and kept their animals and sold their wares down below. The building is impressive with amazing wood carving work inside and has been lovingly restored in the traditional style. The museum itself hosts exhibits of traditional Moroccan woodwork and outside you have the chance to see craftsmen in action as the carpenters’ souk and entire Nejjarine Square have been restored.
5 Glaoui Palace
The Glaoui family were once the rulers of Southern Morocco, and this is their Fez residence. While the building is not open to the public, Abdou, who is in charge, is usually happy to show you around. His family has lived there for three generations, and he is very knowledgeable about this beautiful palace. Simply knock on the door at Ziat, and be sure to give Abdou a contribution to help with the upkeep of the palace.
While the building is not open to the public, Abdou is usually happy to show you around – just knock at the door”
These are just a few of the things that you must do when visiting Fez. If you’re staying in the city for a few days, there are also several excursions that it’s well worth making, including the hot springs at Moulay Yacoub, the former Moroccan capital of Meknes, and the Gouffre du Friouato, North Africa’s deepest cavern.
For more tips on what to do in and around Fez, visit the excellent Riad 9 blog, written by Stephen di Renza.
For exclusive discounts and detailed information about riads and hotels in Fez, visit Morocco Gateway.