Search results
Sep 25, 2017 · Markets in Morocco—called souks locally—can become endless labyrinths that are hard to get out of. This can especially be the case in Fez as the narrow streets can cause visitors to get lost in the old imperial city, but here are 10 accessible souks located in the Medina.
Browse Getty Images' premium collection of high-quality, authentic Fez Morocco Market stock photos, royalty-free images, and pictures. Fez Morocco Market stock photos are available in a variety of sizes and formats to fit your needs.
backlit asian chinese female tourist looking away in souk market streets of fez, morocco - woman in moroccan market stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images
- Overview
- Tips from locals
Lose yourself in the Moroccan city’s maze-like medina and discover crafts, cafes and age-old mansions awash with colourful tiles.
This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).
To step into the Fez medina is to enter one of the greatest medieval cities in the world. Its tangled network of lanes is home to extraordinary Islamic architecture — elaborate mosques, palaces and madrasas (theological schools) — but it’s the magic of the everyday that enchants most: artisans hammering patterns into brass, donkeys ferrying sacks of spices between the souks, the waft of fresh mint tea drifting from a doorway. It may seem like a vision from Arabian Nights, but this is no fantasy — Fez is a living, working city rather than one preserved largely for tourists, and it’s that character that makes it so bewitching.
Spend time getting lost in the labyrinth of the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, making new discoveries every time you set out — perhaps an elegant courtyard or a decrepit palace, its tiled floors and creaking colonnades awaiting renovation. First, order a fresh fruit smoothie and admire the views of the old city from the rooftop of Nagham Cafe, close to the Bab Bou Jeoud gate that leads into it.
Apart from the odd donkey, the medina is traffic-free and made for ambling. A fine starting point is the Tala'a Kebira, a long street winding through the old city. There are numerous sites of architectural interest along the way, marked by two medieval madrasas at either end: the Bou Inania Madrasa in the south west and Al-Attarine Madrasa in the north east. Both are fine introductions to Moroccan craftsmanship, with every surface decorated in intricate tiling, plasterwork and carved cedar wood.
It’s best not to be in too much of a hurry to get between those two points — hours can be lost meandering through this city. Stop to sample snails or fava bean soup from a street stall, but if you’re after something more substantial to eat, head up to the rooftop of Cafe Clock, near the southern end of Tala’a Kebira. There are some interesting local dishes on the menu, including camel burger, and the cafe also hosts cooking classes that include a tour of a local market to pick out ingredients — a good way to get a handle on Moroccan cuisine.
Kate Kvalvik and her husband Alaa Said restored an ancient former palace in the medina and now run it as the guesthouse Dar Seffarine.
Ain Nokbi
This district, just outside the medina, is home to a group of workshops specialising in clay tiles (zellige) and pottery. Moroccan zellige has an extensive colour palette and complex geometry. In the workshops, you can observe the whole tile-making process.
Nejjarine Museum
My favourite museum in Morocco is in an impressive building built in the early 19th century as an inn for visiting traders. Today, it houses a private collection of wooden arts and crafts from across the country. There’s also a peaceful rooftop cafe.
Guided tours
Rabat Medina. The medina of Rabat is a quieter alternative to the bustling markets of Marrakech and Fes, offering a more laid-back shopping experience. Here, visitors can find a range of traditional crafts, including pottery, textiles, and leather goods, along with local sweets and pastries.
Jan 26, 2020 · Now non-Muslims can enter the complex and admire the courtyard’s 18th-century white marble fountain, although the mausoleum at the south end is out of bounds. Pilgrims continue to visit the shrine for good luck, and Idris II has long been associated with fertility among women.
People also ask
Are there souks in Morocco?
Where to buy souvenirs in Morocco?
Why should you visit Bou Inania Madrasa in Fez?
Where to buy Moroccan slippers?
May 2, 2024 · Founded by Moulay Idriss — a descendant of the prophet Muhammad — Fez is considered Morocco’s spiritual and cultural heartland. Unlike in Marrakech, where many souks now cater to travellers,...
