Fes Morocco Travel Guide | Sunshine Escape Near London

Morocco Fez Trip: A Guide to Zela

I’ve just returned from an unforgettable adventure in Morocco and I’m excited to share my guide to Fez here. The city is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating and well-preserved medieval cities in the world. As Condé Nast Traveller magazine puts it, a trip to Fez “takes you back in time”.

My long-awaited trip to Morocco exceeded all my expectations. If you are considering traveling to Morocco, let me tell you about my three days in Fez ……

Where to stay in Fez

During my time in Fez, I stayed in two really great hotels – the Riad Fez in the center of the city and the Sahleh Hotel nestled in the hills. These two sister hotels are very different in style, but equally impressive. They both focus on understated luxury and strike the perfect balance between cultural experience and peaceful relaxation.

Let’s take a closer look at these two hotels ……

Hotel Riadfis

The Riad Fès is a true masterpiece. If you want to immerse yourself in the culture of Fès and experience its exceptional craftsmanship, this hotel is a must-visit. Shortly after taking a cab from the airport, we were guided through the pedestrianized streets of the Medina to the hotel’s illuminated entrance. The incense and soft candlelight created a magical atmosphere for our stay.

Even after the long journey, we were immediately drawn to the hotel’s stunning architecture. Every detail, every decorative element is handcrafted, making the Riad Hotel an absolute visual treat.

We spent our first morning enjoying a hearty breakfast in the hotel’s beautiful courtyard. As a detail-oriented person, I was in heaven – every corner of the Riad Hotel was beautiful! Of course, the coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice and delicious food were all delicious. I could go on and on about how great this hotel is.

^ My room and bathroom at the Riad Fez Hotel ^

Exploring the Fez Medina

Aside from enjoying the hotel, the main highlight of our trip was exploring the medina of Fez. No trip to Morocco would be complete without visiting the ancient medina! The bustling markets, vibrant textiles, intricate artifacts and historical buildings are a must-see.

Our hotel arranged for an experienced local guide to accompany us and I highly recommend this service. The medina is a labyrinth and it is easy to get lost without a guide. In addition, having a local guide with us made our experience even better, especially when navigating the vibrant market stalls and haggling with the vendors.

Must-see attractions in Fez

The medina is home to a wide range of not-to-be-missed attractions, from handicraft stores to beautifully decorated buildings. While exploring the medina, we came across many places of worship and the famous Qarawiin University, which is considered to be the oldest university in the world. You haven’t really been to Fez without visiting this architectural wonder.

Every detail of the building, from the exquisite carvings to the stunning tiles, left us marveling at the skill of the craftsmen. It’s incredible to think about the centuries-old history of these places.

If you’re thinking of buying a traditional Moroccan rug, head straight to the Palais D’Arts Fès. This store is known for its large collection of modern and antique rugs at a fraction of the domestic price. We even witnessed a professional weaver hand-weaving one – it was fascinating!

Another iconic attraction in Fez is the 1,000-year-old Chouara Leather Factory. The leather tanning and dyeing process has been practiced for centuries and is still in use today, allowing visitors to get a glimpse into Morocco’s rich tradition of handicrafts.

If you’re planning a trip to Fez, be sure to take the time to explore the medina, visit the University of Caraouine, and don’t forget to stop by the tannery and the Palace of Fine Arts for what is sure to be an unforgettable experience. If you’d like to learn more about how to find the best experience while traveling, check out my guide on how to choose the right bra for your chest shape.

Fez Leather Craftsmanship

It’s amazing to see the dedication and craftsmanship behind Fez leatherwork. From start to finish, the process of preparing the leather takes a month, and each artisan is paid by the piece. It was breathtaking to watch these skilled workers handcraft so many pieces, often waist deep in vibrant dyes. Experiencing it up close gave me a whole new appreciation for the carefully crafted leather goods of the medina!


Hotel Zela.

Our second stop in Fes was the exquisite Hotel Zela, nestled in the hills just a short drive from the bustling city center. With its relaxed, stylish and peaceful atmosphere, Hotel Zela is like a hidden oasis.

We stayed here for two days and felt incredibly relaxed from start to finish. Compared to its sister hotel, the Riad Fes, the decor at the Zela is more modern and minimalist, but still retains the signature Moroccan elegance. My room came with a sophisticated Arabian touch and the bathroom felt sleek and refreshing with its sleek glass.


Hotel Zela – Pool and Spa Area

One of the highlights of the hotel is its stunning pool area. The infinity pool stretches to the horizon and provides the perfect backdrop for relaxation. Some of my most memorable moments from the trip were lying by the pool, chatting with Ella and the lovely team members and enjoying the peace and tranquility.

Despite a busy work schedule, luckily our hosts arranged plenty of downtime so we could truly unwind. A visit to the Givenchy Spa was one of the best ways to unwind!

I enjoyed an excellent 45-minute soothing massage that helped ease my travel fatigue. At the end of the treatment, the therapist applied some Givenchy lip balm which was surprisingly effective! Although it sounds trivial, everyone who received the treatment mentioned it – and sometimes it’s the little details that make a lasting impression! How can it be a trip to Fez without experiencing this luxury? Haha.


A night at the Zela Hotel

We visited Fez during Ramadan and it was the perfect time to experience the city’s traditional customs. To celebrate Ramadan, the Zela Hotel hosts a lavish dinner every night. As the bells of Iftar rang out in the center of Fez, the buffet began in earnest – filled with a variety of delicious salads, grilled meats, vegetables and mouth-watering desserts!

The food was full of flavors, a blend of Moroccan and Mediterranean flavors that was hard to resist. Honestly, I wanted to eat food like this every night!


Pampering at the Zela Hotel

As part of our trip, we experienced the wellness services at the Zela Hotel. The hotel’s wellness package included a daily yoga practice with yoga teacher Idi.

Although I haven’t practiced yoga in years, Idi made the whole experience relaxing and enjoyable! While the 7 a.m. class felt challenging at first, starting the day with movement and meditation was definitely invigorating. We even did duo yoga, which was unexpected but rewarding.

If you’re interested, you can follow Idi’s yoga journey on Instagram @Yogidille.


Final Thoughts.

From the moment I arrived, I had a feeling that I would fall in love with Morocco and I was proven right! Many of my friends who have been to Morocco always rave about it, and they were absolutely right. In addition, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was very easy to fly from London to Fez in just three hours. We flew with Air Arabia and both round trip experiences were great.

Overall, my time in Fez exceeded all my expectations and I can’t wait to go back again!

I really enjoyed our three day trip to Fez! I highly recommend it if you are planning a trip to this vibrant city. I had so many memorable experiences on this trip, and I was so impressed with Fez.

The climate was consistently warm and pleasant, a far cry from the sunny days common in Europe, and added a unique charm to the whole trip. If you enjoy culture, history and adventure, then Fez is definitely worth a visit!

Thank you so much to the Hotel Riad Fes and the Hotel Sahle for hosting me on this amazing trip. I will always cherish the memories I made here. It’s hard to describe the service, the ambience and the overall vibe of the place.

What about you? Have you ever traveled to Fez or anywhere else in Morocco? Or, after hearing about my experience, has Morocco now entered your travel plans? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you know of other must-see places in Morocco, feel free to share. I’m always looking for new recommendations!

See you next time.
Love, Monica

Note: I was invited on a media tour to experience the amazing Riad Fes and Sahrai hotels. The opinions in this article are a reflection of my true experience of Fes, a city that mesmerizes me.

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