Morocco: Fes

Places to See
The major site to see is the medina in Fes. The medina, built in the 9th century, is the biggest and oldest medina in Morocco. You will, however, definitely need a guide to get through this maze of houses and stores. You can go to the tourism office and they will provide you with a guide for 150 dirhams per day. Our guide was Majid Bennani – an official guide – and will give you a great tour. He speaks English, French, Spanish, and Arabic (Tel: 061835535).

While in the medina, make sure you visit Dar Zaouia, a harem house that has since been converted into a carpet wholesale factory. Not only will you be given a historical view of Fes and some mint tea, but you will also get a great deal on handmade carpets. We bought an Arabic carpet featuring the color of Fes – blue. You should also visit the tannery, where they show you how they process and make all of their leather goods. Be prepared to spend some money on souvenirs in Fes as well.

Places to Eat
A quaint little restaurant in Fes is La Cheminee. As its title reveals, the restaurant feels homey with a fireplace in the corner, and they serve an array of both Moroccan and French cuisine (Avenue Lalla Asmae #6, Tel: 62 49 02).

Within the medina is a beautiful restaurant called Le Restaurant Palais Tijani (Tel: 74 10 71). Not only do they have good, authentic Moroocan food, but they are also reasonably priced – approximately 120-140 dirhams for a 3 course meal.

Transportation
You can take the train from Casablanca to Fes direct. This five hour train ride is usually packed with people, so make sure you find a good corner to stand in if you cannot get a seat.

Questions?
If you want more information about this area you can email the author or check out our Africa Insiders page.

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