Meet your official guide at the iconic Blue Gate, the ornate main entrance to Fes el-Bali. Your guide introduces the city's founding history and orients you before entering the medina.

Walk through the heart of the ancient city. Explore the labyrinthine alleyways of the Andalusian and Quaraouiyine quarters. Visit the specialized souks: leatherworkers, textile weavers, carpenters, brass smiths, and the famous spice and herb market. Your guide reveals the history and stories of every neighborhood you pass through.

Stand at the entrance of the world's oldest continuously operating university, founded in 859 AD. Your guide shares the remarkable story of Fatima al-Fihri, the woman who established it, and its role in preserving Islamic and global knowledge for over 1,100 years.

Step inside this spectacular 14th-century Marinid school — one of the most ornate religious buildings open to non-Muslims in Morocco. Admire the triple-layer decoration: mosaic zellige tiles, sculpted plasterwork, and hand-carved cedarwood. Admission: Not included ($2)

Fes's most iconic sight. From a rooftop terrace of a leather goods shop, watch the tanners at work in the ancient stone vats, each filled with natural dyes — poppy red, saffron yellow, indigo blue, and henna brown. Your guide explains the full process from raw hide to finished leather.

Visit the mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II, founder of Fes and one of Morocco's most revered saints. Admire the ornate exterior and absorb the spiritual atmosphere of this important pilgrimage site.

See the beautiful 18th-century Nejjarine Fountain, one of Fes's most photographed architectural gems, set in a busy craftsmen's square. Optionally visit the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts inside a restored caravanserai. Admission: Not included ($2 for museum)

The 14th-century Al-Attarine Madrasa is considered one of Morocco's most refined architectural masterpieces. Every surface is covered in intricate geometric tilework, arabesque plasterwork, and hand-carved cedar — a paradise for photography and history lovers. Admission: Not included ($2)

Enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch at a restaurant inside the medina, recommended by your guide Youssra. Try pastilla, tagine, harira soup, or Moroccan salads in an authentic riad setting.

Cross into Fes el-Jedid, the New Fes built in the 13th century. Admire the magnificent golden brass doors of the Royal Palace (Dar el-Makhzen). Stroll through the historic Mellah (Jewish quarter) with its distinctive architecture and covered market.