Fez (Fes), one of Morocco’s great imperial cities, is home to Fes el-Bali, the oldest and largest living medieval medina in North Africa, a labyrinth of more than 9,000 alleyways dating to the 9th century.
Lose yourself in the maze, marvel at the zellij tilework and carved cedar of the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, and look down on the famous Chouara tanneries, where leather is still dyed in stone vats as it has been for centuries. Visit the historic Kairaouine, often called the world’s oldest university, and the atmospheric Mellah Jewish quarter.
The best times to visit are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), with pleasant weather; midsummer is too hot for comfortable sightseeing. Hire a local guide for at least your first day, as the medina is famously easy to get lost in.