# Fez el-Bali Medina, along Talaa Kebira

What to do en Fez · Fez

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/things-to-do/fez-el-bali-medina · Revisado: 2026-11-11

- Duración: 4 h
- Para quién: In comfortable shoes

Half a day downhill along Talaa Kebira, from Bab Boujloud to the Qarawiyyin and the tanneries, in Fez's largest car-free medina.

What it is
Fez el-Bali is the old medina of Fez and one of the largest car-free historic cities in the world: about 300 hectares of alleys, workshops, mosques, fondouks and souks. It was born of two cities: the one founded by Idris I in 789 on the right bank of the Fez river and the one founded by his son Idris II in 809 on the other bank, later joined by the Almoravids. It has been a World Heritage site since 1981, together with Fez el-Jdid.
It is not a museum: people live and work here. Goods are moved by donkeys and handcarts, and when you hear "balak" you have to step aside.
The Talaa Kebira route, step by step
Talaa Kebira is the longest and main street of the medina. It runs from the west gate to the Qarawiyyin quarter, almost always downhill and with souks and shops on both sides. It is the simplest way to cross the medina without getting lost:

Bab Boujloud. You enter by the blue gate. In the little square inside, Talaa Kebira and Talaa Seghira part: take the Kebira, the big one; ask if in doubt.
Bou Inania madrasa and, opposite, the facade of the Dar al-Magana water clock. First stop, a few minutes away.
The descent. Tiled fountains, babouche stalls, butchers, wood-fired bakeries, copper and weaving workshops.
Place Nejjarine. A small detour takes you to the carpenters' square, with its tiled fountain and the Nejjarine fondouk, an old caravanserai turned into a museum of woodcraft.
Al-Attarine madrasa and the Qarawiyyin gate, at the end of the street. It is the religious heart of the medina.
Place Seffarine, that of the coppersmiths, where copper is hammered.
Chouara tannery, a little further down, towards the river.

From the bottom of the medina, do not climb back up on foot. Leave towards Place R'cif, next to the river, where the medina's only road arrives, or towards one of the lower gates, and take a petit taxi back.
How long it takes
Half a day, about four hours, with the madrasas, the tannery and stops. If you only want to go down Talaa Kebira to Al-Attarine, an hour and a half. Start early: at nine many shops are already open and it is still comfortable to walk.
Guide, yes or no
It is not compulsory, but the first day it helps a lot. Fake guides offer themselves mainly at Bab Boujloud and near the tanneries, and usually end up at a shop. Ask your riad for an official one: you have it at official medina guide. Plan-it Morocco organises a full-day visit with a private guide, from 9:00 to 16:00, with pick-up at the riad, which includes Bou Inania, the Qarawiyyin, the Nejjarine fondouk, Al-Attarine, the Mellah and the Marinid tombs; the price is requested on its website.
When to go
In the morning, on a weekday. On Friday at midday many workshops close for prayer. In spring and in October it is better for walking; in July and August it exceeds 35 °C and the bottom of the medina gets oppressive.
What to bear in mind

Footwear. The streets are polished stone, sloping, and slippery in the rain.
Orientation. If you get lost, downhill leads to the centre; uphill, to the gates. Ask a shopkeeper, not someone who offers in the street.
Money. Inside almost everything is in cash; the cash machines are at the gates.
Clothing. Shoulders and knees covered to enter the madrasas.
With children and a pushchair. Slopes, steps and crowds: better a baby carrier. Teenagers like getting a little lost and haggling.

Eating and sleeping
For a rest near the gate, Café Clock or Le Tarbouche. Sleeping inside the medina lets you see its empty streets at dusk: Riad Laaroussa, Riad Fes or, on a small budget, Funky Fes.

Lo organiza: Plan-it Morocco (https://www.plan-it-fez.com/fez-medina-a-full-day-tour-with-private-guide/)

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 34.0632, -4.9795

## Cerca de aquí

- [Riad Laaroussa](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/where-to-stay/riad-laaroussa), a 46 m
- [Medina Social Club](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/where-to-stay/medina-social-club), a 51 m
- [Le Tarbouche](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/where-to-eat/le-tarbouche), a 200 m
- [NUR](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/where-to-eat/nur), a 239 m
- [Café Clock](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/where-to-eat/cafe-clock), a 325 m
- [Bou Inania Madrasa](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/things-to-do/bou-inania-madrasa), a 362 m
- [Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/things-to-do/bab-boujloud), a 430 m
- [Riad Fes](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez/where-to-stay/riad-fes), a 449 m

## Consejos

### Go down and come back by taxi
Talaa Kebira is downhill: do not climb back up it, leave by R'cif or a lower gate.

### Hire an official guide the first day
They show you how to get around and save you from the fake guides.

### Start at nine
Workshops open, fewer people and cooler.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Will I get lost in the Fez medina?
Probably, a little. Following Talaa Kebira, no; in the alleys, yes. Downhill you reach the centre and uphill the gates.

### How much time do you need?
Half a day for the main route. Two days to see it at a relaxed pace.

### Is it safe?
It is a medina with a lot of people. Watch your wallet, ignore spontaneous guides and at night stay on the main streets.

Destino: [Fez](https://www.geocalia.com/en/morocco/fez.md)