Medina of Fez
Morocco ·
Description
Fez is time travel without GPS. The world's largest medina—9,400 alleyways—allows no cars or easy orientation. Leather-laden donkeys pass 13th-century madrasas, tanneries smell of a thousand years of tradition, and artisans work copper as their ancestors did. Getting lost here is finding living history.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Fez was Morocco's capital and Islamic learning center. Al-Qarawiyyin University is the world's oldest. The medina preserves intact its medieval urbanism with specialized souks and foundouks.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being the best-preserved medieval medina in the Arab world with the planet's oldest university.
It was inscribed in 1981 under criteria (ii) and (v).
Very easy; use local guide or offline GPS. There are 9,400 alleyways.
Chouwara is the most famous; the smell is strong but the view impressive.
Minimum 2 days; there's much to discover by getting lost.