Fes

Fes, in Fes-Boulemane, is a city that about 950,000 people call home.

The national capital Rabat is situated 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of Fes, while Casablanca is 150 miles (241 kilometers) to the west.

On a rainy day in Fes, make tracks to the Der Batha Museum and the Nejjarin Fondouk. Examine the displays, study the collections or just savor the quiet.

Among the more interesting heritage sites in Fes is the Blue Gate. Atmospheric and fascinating, it is well worth a trip. Check out the site, take a photo and read up about the backstory that makes it so interesting.

When the sun is out, explore Parc Jnane Sbile, where visitors can breathe in the fresh air. Join in a ball game, mingle with locals, or just relax in the shade. This park will suit whatever mood you're in.

Once the private pleasure dome of the city’s wealthiest, today, the gates to Fes’s most stately home are open to everyone. The elegant Royal Palace is a wonderful time capsule, containing the very highest standards in design and craftsmanship of its era.

After checking out all the main spots on the Fes tourist map, consider stopping by these four lesser known, but equally rewarding sights. Regardless of how many fabulous sights you’ve managed to fit into your schedule, no stay in this city is complete without paying a visit to the Kairaouine Mosque, the Bab Guissa, the Borj Nord and the Tombs of the Merenides.