Fez Tours and Vacation Packages

Overview

The medieval capital of Morocco, Fes is located in the northern part of the country, bordered by the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. One of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Fes is considered the country’s cultural and spiritual centre toi be visited on Morocco vacations.

The city was established in 789 by Idris I who was instrumental in the early Islamization of Morocco. The 9th century witnessed emigration from Andalusia and Tunisia as well as Muslims from the Middle East and North Africa. A Jewish population also settled in their own part of the city called Mellah. The 13th and 14th centuries saw Fes become well-known throughout Europe as a trading centre and as a place of great artistic merit. Early in the 20th century Morocco became a French protectorate and was granted independence in 1956.

The city of Fes is divided into three distinct parts. Fès el-Bali is Old Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed for being a continuously inhabited medieval city and the best preserved “old city” in the Arab world. Within Fès el-Bali is the legendary medina, a maze of winding alleys and covered bazaars, shops, restaurants, mosques and much more. Fès el-Jdid, located south of the medina, is a 13th century “new town”, while Ville Nouvelle is the city’s modern centre that is very much in the French style.