Time travel through the perpetual pandemonium of Fez medina

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Time travel through the perpetual pandemonium of Fez medina

Fes El Bali is an ancient walled medina with narrow, car-free streets and ornamented entryways like Bab Guissa and the Blue Gate. Vast 9th-century Karaouiyne University is tiled in vivid painted ceramics, while the towering R’cif Mosque overlooks a lively market square. Souk vendors specialize in perfumes, spices, lamps, and leather, and dining choices range from street kebabs to stylish gourmet restaurants.

MOROCCO // Some 200 years before Marrakesh was even a glint in the eyes of the Almoravid rulers, Fez media was flourishing as Morocco's cultural and spiritual capital. Today it's a labyrinth of stooped, tangled alleyways that defies mapping. Confounding? Yes. Intriguing? Absolutely. Spice sellers beckon from fundugs (ancient inns), hidden squares reveal beautiful tiled fountains, and camel heads swing from butchers' hooks. Sougs, mosques, palaces and the world's oldest university await discovery on foot - this is the planet's largest car-free urban centre.

Does Fez have a medina?

The Medina of Fez preserves, in an ancient part comprising numerous monumental buildings, the memory of the capital founded by the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808 A.D. The original town was comprised of two large fortified quarters separated by the Fez wadi: the banks of the Andalous and those of the Kaïrouanais.

Why is Fez famous?

Fez has been called the "Mecca of the West" and the "Athens of Africa". This city is also considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco. From top to bottom: Al-Qarawiyin Mosque/University, the gates of the Royal Palace, and Fez al-Bali, also known as the Medina of Fez.

Which is the biggest medina in Morocco?

Fez

The old capital of Morocco, Fez, is the largest medina in the world. Exploring the maze of small streets will make you wonder where you are in time. Michael Tortoise is the founder of Tortoise Time Travel and has been traveling full time for a decade.

What time does the Fez Medina open?

The opening hours of shops in Medina vary slightly according to prayer times, but generally they are open from 8:30 am to 1 pm and in the afternoon from 4 pm to 9 pm. Many shops are closed on Fridays.

Is Fez Medina safe?

Fez, Morocco, has a reputation as a safe city for tourists. However, there are concerns about safety due to reports of petty crime and pickpocketing in crowded areas. Tourists are also advised to be cautious when exploring the Medina, as it is easy to get lost.

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