The medina makes sense fast. This Funky Walking Tour is a handy first-day route through Fez Medina, hitting big-name highlights like the Andalusian Mosque and the Chouara tannery, plus a visit to the Attarine Madrasa. I like the way the walk gives you clear orientation in a place that can feel endless, and I like the relaxed style, with time for photos and questions. One thing to weigh: several stops are viewed from the outside, so if you want deep interior time at every site, this may feel a bit light.

What really boosts the value is the human factor. Guides named Abdelali (also seen as Abdul-Ali) show up repeatedly in feedback for smart explanations, good English, and patience, including answers that go beyond the monuments. The tour is also structured for flow, using a mobile ticket and ending near Rcif Gate, which makes it easier to keep exploring on your own right after.

Key highlights to look forward to

• A first-day Medina route that connects major landmarks without feeling rushed
• Chouara tannery rooftop views plus an explanation of the tanning stages for context
• Attarine Madrasa entry included, so you do more than just look from the street
• Local food stop at Achabine market, with tastings folded into the walk
• Place Seffarine craft square, where metalwork sound and tradition are part of the experience
• Small group size (max 20), which keeps questions and navigation practical

Price and what you are really paying for

At $52.27 per person for a 2 to 3 hour walking tour, this sits in the mid-range for guided Medina tours. You are not paying just for the sightseeing. You are paying for a guide who helps you move through Fez’s maze with fewer wrong turns, plus context that turns random arches and courtyards into meaningful places.

Here’s the value logic I’d use if you were deciding for yourself:

• A typical self-guided Medina afternoon can swallow hours because you keep backtracking. This tour is designed as a route, so your time buys momentum.
• Some admissions are covered. In particular, the Attarine Madrasa visit includes the ticket, and the food market stop includes admission for that segment. Even if you skip shopping stops, the paid portions still add up.
• The tour includes coffee and/or tea, which is a small thing, but it’s also the kind of comfort that makes a morning walk feel easier.

What is not included matters, too. Bottled water isn’t included, and a couple of key sights are handled as exterior viewing only. So budget for extra snacks or water, and keep expectations realistic about interior access.

Meeting at Funky Fes60 and finishing at Rcif Gate

The tour starts at 10:00 am at Funky Fes60, Arset Lamdelssi, Fès, Morocco. It ends at the main door of Rcif Gate near La Porte Du Marché Rcif. That exit is practical. It places you in a good spot to continue exploring without having to fight your way back to the start.

Two details help a lot on arrival:

• Mobile ticket: You do not need to hunt for printed vouchers.
• Near public transportation: If you are bouncing around Fez during the morning, getting to the meetup is usually easier than when a tour starts far inside the Medina.

Plan to arrive a little early. Not because the tour is long, but because Fez streets can be confusing, and you’ll want your bearings before you start weaving into the Medina.

Stop-by-stop through Fez: what each highlight gives you

This is a classic “big overview, smart pacing” itinerary. The sequence matters: you start with orientation, then you move through architecture, crafts, education sites, and finally food and a living craft square.

Stop 1: Medina of Fez panoramic viewpoint

You start with a panoramic look at the old city from a nearby departure point. It’s only about 10 minutes, and there’s no admission ticket included for this stop. But it’s the most important moment of the tour.

Why? Because Fez’s Medina is a maze in practice, not just in description. A view from above gives you a reference point so the streets you walk later don’t feel like a random walk in fog. You’re learning the map with your eyes before you navigate with your feet.

Stop 2: Andalusian Mosque (outside)

Next is the Andalusian Mosque, viewed from the outside. The tour positions it as the second largest mosque after Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque, known for Andalusian-Moroccan architecture. This is a short stop of about 5 minutes, with no admission listed.

Exterior-only visits can sound disappointing on paper, but in Fez they are often the smart move. You get the architectural cues without adding time that gets lost in crowding and queues. The guide’s job here is to connect what you see to how the style developed and what to notice when you spot similar motifs elsewhere.

Stop 3: Chouara Tannery rooftop photos and tanning stages

Then comes the stop most people circle: Chouara Tannery. You visit from the rooftop so you can take photos and get an explanation of the stages of tanning. The stop runs about 20 minutes, again with no admission listed.

This stop is valuable for two reasons:

1. You’re seeing the tannery layout in one glance, instead of only catching glimpses while passing below.
2. The guide does more than point. The “stages of tanning” explanation gives you a framework to understand why the area is organized the way it is, instead of treating it like a visual spectacle with no meaning.

If you care about photography, this is also your best bet of the morning.

Stop 4: Mosque and University of al-Qarawiyyin (outside)

Stop four is al-Qarawiyyin, presented as the oldest university in the world, but you’ll view it from the outside with a simplified history explanation. It’s a 5 minute stop and no admission is listed.

This is the part of the tour that works best if you want orientation plus story, not a full academic itinerary. You get a quick understanding of why this institution matters and how religious education shaped life in Fez, even when you’re not going deep into buildings on your schedule.

Stop 5: Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II (outside)

Next is the Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II, described as the tomb of the founder of Fez, again viewed from the outside. It’s about 10 minutes, with no admission listed.

This stop gives you a key historical anchor. Fez isn’t just a collection of old stones. It’s a city built around an origin story. Even an exterior visit works here because it helps you connect the streets you’re walking to who started the place and why the city grew around that identity.

Stop 6: Al-Attarine Madrasa (ticket included)

This is your interior access moment: Al-Attarine Madrasa. The tour includes the ticket, and you get an explanation of its construction and what was taught there. The stop is about 15 minutes.

In the overview, you’ll also see a note that you might otherwise pay around 20 MAD to enter. In this tour format, entry is included, which is a big deal for value. You get the beautiful-school aspect without having to decide on the fly.

If you only have one guided stop where you want more than a curbside look, this is it.

Stop 7: Mosque Achabine and the local food market

Now you shift from monuments to everyday life. Stop seven is Mosque Achabine, described as a local food market. It runs about 15 minutes, and admission is included here.

This is the part where the tour stops being only architecture appreciation and becomes a feel-for-the-place experience. You’ll get to try local food, and since the tour also includes coffee and/or tea, you’re not just eating for the sake of it. You’re sampling while learning what you are seeing in the market setting.

Practical note: markets are active. Come ready to stand, look, taste, and keep moving.

Stop 8: Place Seffarine and the boilermakers’ sound

The final stop is Place Seffarine, known for the district of boilermakers and also as a square tied to a mosque and a hammam. The tour notes that you’ll hear the constant sound of copper and brass work, with hammer blows carried through the day.

This is about 15 minutes, and no admission is listed.

Why it’s a strong ending: it’s a reminder that Fez’s Medina isn’t frozen in time. It’s working. Even if you focus more on food and photos, the sound and rhythm of craft work are memorable in a way that a quick interior visit often can’t match.

The guide factor: how Abdelali keeps it relaxed and useful

A big pattern in the best feedback is the guide style. If you do this tour, pay attention to how your guide handles three things: pace, questions, and pressure.

1. Pace that fits the route

The itinerary is short, so you move at a steady walking speed. But the structure leaves enough time at each stop to look closely and take photos without the “run, run, run” feeling.

1. Questions welcome

Guides associated with the tour, including Abdelali, are praised for answering questions beyond the monuments, including curiosity about Moroccan life and even politics. That matters because Fez can spark big questions, and a good guide gives you real context, not just facts.

1. No pressure in shops

Several comments highlight that there is no pushy sales vibe when you pass by craft and shop areas. This is important in Fez. You want to browse if you want, and walk away if you don’t.

Also, English communication comes up in feedback, including clear explanations and patience. If your French or Arabic is limited, that clarity helps a lot. And if your interests are specific, a guide who listens can steer you toward what you’ll actually care about.

Practical tips so the tour feels easy, not stressful

Even a well-run tour can feel tough if you show up unprepared. Based on what’s included and what is not, here’s what I’d plan for.

• Bring water (bottled water is not included).
• Wear shoes you can walk in for a steady stretch through the Medina lanes.
• If you care about photos, pay attention during Chouara rooftop time, and be ready to reposition quickly.
• Keep some flexibility in your day after the tour. You’ll end near Rcif Gate, which is a great launch point for your next stroll.

One underrated strategy: use the tour to learn your own navigation. The guides’ “tips and tricks” approach is meant to give you confidence for the next few hours when you’re walking without a group.

Who this tour fits best

This is a strong pick if:

• You want a first-day orientation through Fez Medina.
• You like a route that includes big icons like al-Qarawiyyin and Moulay Idriss II, but you’re okay with exterior viewing for some major sites.
• You want a mix of architecture, craft culture, and food, not just museums.

It might be less ideal if:

• You want long, ticketed interior time at every stop.
• You are traveling with very limited mobility, since this is still a walking tour with stops in active areas.

Should you book this Funky Walking Tour in Fez?

If you are in Fez for a short time, or it’s your first trip and you want to stop feeling lost, I think this is the kind of tour that pays you back quickly. You get a focused highlights route, Attarine Madrasa entry included, a meaningful craft stop at Place Seffarine, and a food market moment at Mosque Achabine, all wrapped in a small-group format.

Book it if you want an easy start and practical navigation confidence. Consider alternatives if your top priority is maximum interior access, or if you know you prefer to plan your own Medina route from scratch.

FAQ

What time does the Funky Walking Tour start?

The tour starts at 10:00 am.

How long is the tour?

It takes about 2 to 3 hours.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at Funky Fes60, Arset Lamdelssi, Fès, Morocco.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at the main door of Rcif Gate near La Porte Du Marché Rcif.

What is the price per person?

The price is $52.27 per person.

Is coffee or tea included?

Yes, coffee and/or tea are included.

Is bottled water included?

No, bottled water is not included.

Do I need to buy entry tickets for the stops?

Most listed sights are outside viewing with no admission ticket noted. Al-Attarine Madrasa has an admission ticket included. The local food market stop at Mosque Achabine also has admission ticket included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour suitable for most travelers?

The tour states that most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.