Tourism: Why Fez could dethrone Marrakech in 2026

Designated by GetYourGuide as one of the "hidden gems" of the year, Fez is experiencing an unprecedented tourism boom. Former political and spiritual capital of the kingdom until 1912, the millennium-old city preserves a cultural and artisanal stability that now attracts travelers in search of a more raw and less flashy Moroccan experience.

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Its medieval medina, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to 500,000 inhabitants within a complex network of 9,000 passages, some of which are barely wide enough for one person. This completely pedestrian labyrinth, accessible through 14 main gates, functions as a self-sustaining ecosystem where daily life follows ancestral rhythms.

Although the high season usually runs from February to May, the climate at the beginning of this year is surprisingly cool. In the middle of February, unusual rainfall and temperatures below the expected 18°C have transformed the surrounding countryside, offering a lush and verdant landscape that local guides had not observed since their childhood. Authentic journey in the Medina of Fez

The local economy is based on a mathematically precise craftsmanship, symbolized by the zellige. These complex mosaics, hand-carved from local clay according to patterns inspired by algebra, require absolute concentration from the master craftsmen. "Mosaic is the most important and unique craft in Fez," explains Mourad, stressing that this meticulous work also acts as a natural air conditioning.

The Fez souk maintains a unique atmosphere, preserved from aggressive commercial solicitation. Neighborhood shops, often frequented by the same families for generations, specialize in unique products: Medjool dates, ground almonds for Ramadan cookies, or thin sheets of dough for pastilla. Here, time is devoted to savory and important things.

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This attention to detail is also found in the gastronomy and private architecture. As local guide Fatah notes, the Fassi aesthetic favors the discreet exterior of the facades to better magnify the inner beauty of the riads. This contrast between the modesty of the earthen walls and the hidden luxury of the inner courtyards defines the spiritual soul of the city.