fez Photography Guide
Fez, Morocco's cultural heart and home to the world's largest contiguous car-free medina (Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO site), offers unparalleled photography opportunities during late December 2025. From the vibrant Chouara Tanneries and iconic Bab Boujloud to panoramic medina viewpoints, the city's labyri
Best Photography Spots
Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate)
Iconic 20th-century gate marking the medina entrance with vibrant blue tilework contrasting white walls, perfect for framing minarets and crowds.
Chouara Tannery
11th-century leather dyeing pits with workers in colorful vats, viewed from rooftops; iconic for vivid reds, yellows, and whites.
Bou Inania Madrasa
14th-century Islamic school with intricate zellige tiles, cedar carvings, and green-tiled minaret visible across medina.
Royal Palace Gates
Golden doors at Place el-Alouites with ornate brasswork and guards, symbolizing Moroccan royalty.
Cafe Clock Rooftop
Elevated terrace overlooking medina, Bou Inania minaret, and alleys; great for panoramic urban shots.
Zawiya of Moulay Idris II
Tallest minaret in medina skyline, religious site with historical significance; shoot from distance.
Medersa al-Attarine
14th-century madrasa with detailed mosaics, stucco, and courtyard; intimate architecture shots.
Nejjarine Fondouk
17th-century inn with museum of woodworking tools; ornate facade and courtyard.
Rainbow Alley (Rue Boulkhsissat)
Colorful street with painted walls and doors; vibrant people-culture shots.
Funduq Staouniyyin
Historic caravanserai with grand atrium and wooden ceilings.
Viewpoint Medina (Borj Nord)
Panoramic overlook of medina rooftops and tanneries.
Sagha Square
Bustling square with merchants and arches for street photography.
Place Safferine
Open area near souks with spice vendors and activity.
Souk Attarine
Spice market with colorful heaps and aromatic scenes.
Mnebhi Palace
Abandoned palace with overgrown gardens and decaying grandeur.
Tombs of the Merinides
Hilltop ruins with medina views and historical tombs.
Ceramics Factory
Workshops with colorful pottery painting and kilns.
Fes El Bali Medina Alleys
Winding car-free streets with doors, arches, cats.
Qarawiyyin Mosque
World's oldest university; exterior minaret and courtyard.
Hotel Cascade Rooftop
Budget hotel terrace with Blue Gate and madrasa sunset views.
Palais Amani
Luxury riad courtyard with fountain, trees, tiles.
Riad Fes Relais & Chateaux
Opulent riad with pools, gardens, architecture.
La Maison Bleue
Blue-tiled riad with artistic interiors.
Fes Tanneries Viewpoint
Dedicated overlook for all three tanneries.
Spice Souks
Heaps of saffron, cumin in blue bags.
Hidden Gems
Water Clock in Medina
Ancient timed fountain hidden in alley.
Abandoned Mnebhi Gardens
Overgrown palace grounds with vines on tiles.
Local Berber Coffee Stalls
Tiny souk nooks with elders sipping.
Tiled Fountains in Alleys
Unexpected ornate basins in side streets.
Cat-Filled Back Alleys
Narrow paths teeming with stray cats on walls.
Forgotten Doorways
Painted, weathered doors with brass knockers.
Rooftop Hammams
Steam vents and domes from public baths.
Artisan Workshops Off-Souk
Coppersmiths hammering in tiny shops.
Hilltop Merinid Tombs Trails
Paths to ruins with wildflowers.
Secret Riad Courtyards
Non-tourist riads with lemon trees.
Spice Vendor Backrooms
Storage with sacks and scales.
Minaret Silhouettes from Alleys
Unmarked spots framing Zawiya minaret.
Local Laundry Lines
Colorful clothes drying on rooftops.
Underground Bakeries
Ovens baking flatbread in cellars.
Overgrown Medina Walls
Ancient fortifications with ivy.
Photography Tips for fez
- 1.Fez's medina demands **discreet, fast shooting** due to crowds and conservative culture—ask permission for close portraits, respect no-photo zones at religious sites. Optimal December times: **sunrise (7:30-8:30 AM)** and **sunset (5:30-6:30 PM)** for soft winter light; avoid harsh midday. Use **wide-angle (16-35mm)** for alleys, **telephoto (70-200mm)** for tanneries/overlooks, **tripod** for low-light riads/blue hour, and **polarizers** for tile vibrancy. Techniques: leading lines in arches, silhouettes of minarets, candids in souks; long exposures for night markets. Safety: secure gear in bags, shoot from hips to avoid hassle.
Trip Planning
For Dec 24-31, 2025 (peak holiday season), fly into Fez-Saïss Airport (FEZ); petit taxis (red) to medina gates (~50 MAD, 20min). Navigate car-free Fes el-Bali on foot or calèches; hire official guides (200-300 MAD/day) to avoid getting lost—essential for first-timers. Stay in riads for rooftop access (book early via Booking.com). No special photography permits needed, but respect mosque no-entry (non-Muslims). Safety: moderate—beware pickpockets in souks, dress modestly (cover shoulders/knees), travel in groups at night; women solo OK but assertive. Winter mild (10-18°C), pack layers. Entry: Morocco visa-free for most; medina free, sites 10-20 MAD. Water/ATMs plentiful; ONCF trains to Marrakech if extending.
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