Treat yourself to small-group adventures with our Holiday Sale – Save up to $525! Limited spots.
Trip destinations

11 of Fez's Top Museums

Striking Moroccan tile work, born in Fez
Striking Moroccan tile work, born in Fez | © Wikimedia Commons
Sarah Williams

Fez is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities. The city is known for its enormous souks, historic leather tanneries, and for being a hotbed for culture and spirituality. Additionally, Fez boasts a number of terrific museums covering various themes and catering to diverse interests. Here are some of the best.

View All Trips

Dar Batha Museum

Museum

Gardens leading to Dar Batha Museum
© just_a_cheeseburger / Flickr
Dar Batha Museum is home to an extensive selection of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts. Many items were taken from historic buildings around the city. Visitors can feast their eyes on intricate Berber rugs, old musical instruments, and delicate embroidery from the city. There’s a large collection of ceramics, as well as beautiful zellige tile work, detailed wood carvings, and fine tadelakt plaster work. The building itself is also interesting; the former palace dates back to the late 19th century and was built on the orders of one of the country’s previous sultans. The gardens make for a pleasant stroll after admiring the artefacts and displays.

Riad Belghazi Museum

Museum

Housed within a glorious traditional Moroccan riad, the Riad Belghazi Museum boasts a beautiful collection of crafts and decorative items. Exhibits include skillfully woven carpets, embroidery and needlework, musical instruments, fine gold jewellery, pottery, and traditional garments from throughout Morocco’s history. There is also a Belghazi Museum in the capital of Rabat.

Arms Museum

Museum

Perched atop Borj Nord, one of the two hills that overlook Fez, the Arms Museum is a must for anyone interested in antique weapons. Visitors can learn more about the nation’s military history as well as admiring the displays of firearms, cannons, daggers, and swords. Soak up sweeping views from the vantage point and see the remains of the old 16th-century defensive fortress in which the museum is housed.

Medersa el-Attarine

Medersa el-Attarine, Fez
© Singa Hitam / Flickr

One of Fez’s former religious schools, Medersa el-Attarine boasts beautiful examples of workmanship from the Merenid era. There are plenty of traditional designs to admire. Climb up to the rooftop for sweeping city views.

Medersa el-Attarine, Rue Talaa Kebira, Fes

Inside Medersa el-Attarine | © Singa Hitam / Flickr | © Singa Hitam / Flickr

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts

Building, Museum

As the name implies, the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts celebrates the skills and traditions of wooden crafts. Visitors can view diverse old tools and splendid wooden objects, including carved doors, ornate chests and cabinets, musical instruments, and prayer beads. The building itself is a work of art too. The fondouq was an inn for travelling traders and merchants, providing a place for them to sleep and keep their animals and goods safe. It has been carefully restored to show its splendour.

Art d’Argile

Shop, Shopping Mall

Part shop, part gallery, part workshop, Art d’Argile is a terrific place for anyone interested in watching artisans at work. The family-owned establishment has been creating exquisite pieces for four generations. See how vases, bowls, tiles, and more are made, and appreciate the details that go into hand-painting the pieces.

Museum of Andalusian Music

Building, Museum

Andalusian musical instruments on display at the Museum of Andalusian Music
© Wikimedia Commons
A privately owned family museum, the Museum of Andalusian Music showcases a variety of interesting musical instruments in splendid surroundings. Historic photos take visitors on a journey through the past, and there are also collections of old documents and artwork. The building has been carefully restored to allow visitors to appreciate how grand it would have been in its prime.

Kairaouine Library

Building, Library, Mosque, University

Inside the Kairaouine Library and Mosque complex
© Wikimedia Commons
Housed within a historic complex that contains one of the world’s oldest universities, the Kairaouine Library is often said to be among the oldest libraries in the world. The building has been restored and renovated with modern systems to help protect the old books that line the shelves. A musty smell hangs in the air and some books are protected by plastic jackets to prevent them from disintegrating upon touch. Previously a magnet for eminent scholars, academics, theologians, poets, and historians, members of the public can now peruse the diverse books contained within the old library.

Maison des Sciences de Fes

The Maison des Sciences de Fes is dedicated to teaching people more about the sciences. There are also displays of artwork, showing links between the sciences and the arts. There are many fascinating displays and demonstrations, though, unfortunately, most information is available in only Arabic and French.

Maison des Sciences de Fes, Centre d’Eveil Culturel et Artistique oum Aymane Rue d’Irak, Fes

Medersa Bou Inania

Museum, School, Building

Decorative details inside the Medersa Bou Inania
© Dafydd Vaughan / Flickr
Although not a museum as such, Medersa Bou Inania is definitely worth a visit by those interested in culture, history, art, architecture, and religion. A former place of religious learning, it was built in the mid-1300s. The decorative tile work, woodwork, plaster carvings, and intricate lattices have been restored. The heavy brass doors gleam and the green-tiled minaret soars above the complex. Indeed, this is the only merdersa in Fez to have a minaret. The merdersa is especially noted for its water clock, one of just a few still in existence. The clock is located in the opposite Dar al-Magana, a home connected to the school.

Dar Adiyel Palace

Building

A glorious traditional building, Dar Adiyel Palace was lovingly renovated and restored with financial backing from Italy’s government. It is primarily a place of study for music students and is home to one of the loveliest music conservatories around the world. Students learn and practice various Moroccan genres, including melhoun, Andalusian, and rabab. Visitors can take a peek inside for a small fee.
culture trip left arrow
culture trip brand logo

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

women sitting on iceberg

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

culture trip logo letter c
group posing for picture on iceberg
group posing for picture on iceberg

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

map of volcanic iceland trip destination points
culture trip brand logo
culture trip right arrow

See Our Culture Trips
landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

X

Holiday Sale Offers on Our Trips

Incredible Savings

Find Out More
Edit article