Hello chicks,
During the April vacations, we chose to spend a week in Morocco with our M&M’s. It’s a destination they love! It’s a destination they love! The great thing about Ryanair’ s direct flights from Nantes to Fez is that they’re very reasonably priced if you book well in advance. For this week, we decided to take a “road-trip”, using local transport to visit the cities of Meknes and Rabat, just a few hours from Fez. Trains in Morocco are a great way to get around, because they’re cheap and look just like our TER trains! No fatigue, the chance to chat with Moroccans, I personally loved it!
Below you’ll find the first part of our stay: arrival in Fez and my favorites. Here we go!
Fez and its authentic medina
On arrival at the airport, we headed for the Bab Boujloud gate to our hotel. This is one of the gates to the ancient medina of Fez. We chose to stay at the Jardin Public hotel, for its value for money and ideal location for visiting the medina. The welcome is very warm and the rooms are simple but very clean.
For breakfast, choose to climb up onto the terrace for a panoramic view of the city.
Not to be missed
The fourth largest city in Morocco, Fès is a modern city that has managed to preserve its history. The oriental-style old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s largest medina. Characteristic of this city, blue is omnipresent: it’s called Fès blue.
The Fès medina: for me, one of the most beautiful in Morocco. Take the time to lose yourself in the long alleyways to discover Moroccan handicrafts and local culture. I was particularly taken by the vendors of leather bags and woven baskets. In fact, I brought back a very nice one to take to the market or to the beach. It says “beautiful but rebellious” on it 🙂
Or take a break to enjoy a delicious mint tea in one of the cafés. Maybe you, like us, will have the chance to enjoy a musical moment!
The Bou inania medersa: Koranic schools, known as medersas, are part of Moroccan heritage and a must-see when visiting Morocco’s oldest medina. In addition to their educational mission, the medersas of Fez have preserved their architecture with a range of Moroccan crafts and materials. This medersa, located near Bab Boujloud, stands at the top of the two Talaa streets, the pedestrian arteries of Fès’ “commercial” medina.
My good restaurant plan in Fez
If I have one restaurant to recommend in Fez, it’s Chez Rachid. Located near the Bab Boujloud gate, I’d advise you to drop in to reserve a table, and above all not to be late – they don’t like that! (It has to be said that they have very few tables and it’s hard for them to turn people away).
The value for money is unbeatable (menu at 70 DH) and everything is very fresh. We used to go there for lunch and dinner. When a place is good, don’t look for the exotic… 🙂 Our favorite dishes were the kefta dumplings, the eggplant and grilled vegetable salad and the hearty pastilla!
Near Fès: the Gouraud cedar, the Azrou and Ifrane cedar forests
One day before leaving Fez, we rented a car to visit the town of Azrou and the famous Cedar forest with its monkeys. It’s incredible to be able to get so close to these animals. But be careful! Bring only bottled water to give them something to drink, as they’re very short of water, but avoid feeding them! Monkeys can quickly become invasive if they see you have food 🙂
Equally astonishing on the way is the town of Ifrane. It’s so different from other Moroccan towns that it looks like an amusement park – and clean! Situated at an altitude of 1664 meters above sea level, in the Middle Atlas region, this small mountain town has the appearance of a Swiss Alpine town. With red-roofed houses on which storks nest and snowy winters, it’s no wonder it’s nicknamed “Little Switzerland”. Ifrane serves as a winter playground for wealthy Berbers from cities like Fès, Meknès and Marrakech, who flock here to experience winter like Europeans.
After this lovely stroll, I suggest you continue the journey by taking the train to another imperial city: Meknes. See my article: Morocco from Fez to Rabat: part 2.
