The Medina of Fes holds the official title of the world's largest car-free urban area!
Ready to walk? What makes Fes the ultimate pedestrian paradise?
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Exploring a new city on foot is one of the best ways to experience it. Walking allows you the freedom to easily visit shops, cafes, and restaurants. However, some cities are more pedestrian-friendly than others, and one of the best places for a stroll is also one of the world's oldest and largest car-free zones.
Located in Morocco, Fes is a 13th-century city renowned as the country's cultural capital. The Medina of Fes, an ancient walled city, is designed for walking and the occasional donkey. According to Guinness World Records, it's the world's largest car-free urban area by population, with over 156,000 residents and a strict ban on cars.
The website Visit Morocco explains that in "early May, the squares and alleys resound with world music, where the Festival of World Sacred Music is held in the former imperial capital, which occurs along with Jazz in Riads, one of the main events in the city's cultural calendar." It also advises visitors not to "leave without having tasted the city's gastronomy, reputed to be one of the best in the world."
The area's unique character has also earned it a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Inside the medina's walls, Visit Morocco notes that travelers can browse and buy a variety of souvenirs "from tanners to weavers, dinandiers [copperware], and potters." It adds that "its streets are decorated with architectural masterpieces, and its squares are meeting places where an ancestral art of living is expressed through confident yet delicate gestures."
The medina's restaurants are also a must-visit. Be sure to stop for a meal at places like Mom's Touch for a great rooftop dining experience, Ruined Garden for a peaceful, plant-filled atmosphere, and Restaurant Bab Sahra Fes for a more elegant meal.
While it's easy to navigate on your own, a guided tour can be helpful for finding all the best spots in this vibrant market. Fortunately, there are many tour options available, including Fez Tour Guide, which offers medina tours and excursions to nearby sites; museum and shopping tours on Get Your Guide; and local-led tours on Airbnb Experiences.
Getting to Fes is part of the adventure. After landing in Tangier, Morocco, you can take a train on the national railway, Office National des Chemins de Fer, which takes about 4 hours. This is also a great way to visit other major cities in Morocco. Lastly, be sure to pack a comfortable pair of sneakers. Your feet will thank you for it. If you're looking for stress-free travel, remember to prebook a long-term parking lot before you leave. Services like ParkingNearAirports.io are great for finding a great deal on parking at the airport with parking discounts.
