Fez (or Fes) is the second largest city in the country of Morocco. It has around one million people and is the capital of the region. This is a very popular tourist area, and as a result, many locals, look to take advantage of visitors!
Merchants in Fez are known for being aggressive, so keep this in mind as you enter any shops. You may feel like you are being pressured into making a purchase, but you should always maintain control. If you don’t see anything you like in a shop, bid the merchant adieu and look for another store. Do not allow yourself to be bullied into buying something you don’t need.
Fez is a city that full of culture and life. There are so many things to see and do, you may feel you have omitted seeing much before you leave. The best way to get around this is to sign up for a tour. When you book your trip, check to see, if there are any tour packages available before you travel. While it may be less expensive to have one of the locals as your guide, you never know if this person is looking out for your best interest.
Bus service from the airport to the centre of the city is not available after 8pm, and you will therefore have to hire a taxi. Talk to the taxi service operator in order to fix a price before you leave the airport. (Do not wait until you get to your destination to ask about the price because you may end paying too much).
The official currency of Morocco is the Dirham. If you do not use all of the money you exchanged before you leave Fez, you should have it converted back to your currency once you reach the airport. Also, keep in mind that airport duty-free shops in Morocco do not accept this unit of currency.
While Fez is a great city that has a bustling nightlife, it is difficult to find alcoholic beverages in the city. If you must have alcohol while you are on your trip, your best bet would be to purchase some from the duty-free stores at the airport. If you do find any alcohol in the city, it is likely to be very expensive.
Do not be afraid to haggle aggressively with the merchants for a better. This is commonplace in Fez, so it will not look like you are trying to offend anyone. They are trying to make a sale, so if you make a reasonable offer it is likely to be accepted. Even if the price is not ridiculously high, you should try haggling a bit.
The tanneries are a huge part of tourism in Fez, and they are very difficult to find if you have not been there before. Many local boys hang around offering to guide you there for no charge. Even though you have been told that there is no fee, it would be a good idea to tip them generously for their help.
If your hotel is located in the medina, a taxi will only take you as far as the walls. This means that you will have to walk the remainder of your journey. If you have never been here before, it is very easy to get lost through the small, narrow, unnamed streets. There are bag boys that will take your bags and bring them to your hotel, but they will charge you a hefty fee. While it may seem excessive, it is easier than getting lost in an unknown area.
If you enter the labyrinthine medina in order to do some shopping, most people pay for the service of showing them the way out. While this is very common, it is not always necessary. The best way to avoid a fee is to ask for directions from one of the merchants you made a purchase from. They will freely give you directions since you have already given them money.
When visiting the tanneries, many people believe the prices on the items there are a fixed price. As stated earlier, this is a city where merchants are used to haggling. Do not purchase anything from anyone unless you have tried to bring the price down first.
There may be many occasions where you will have to call a taxi. When you get inside the taxi, make sure that the driver turns on the meter. Since you are not from the area, you may be quoted a ridiculous price. Avoid this by glancing at the meter when you get in; it only takes a second.
If you enter a shop and you are offered tea, only accept it if you plan on buying something. This is offered in order to relax you while you are making a purchase. It may be seen as a sign of disrespect if you have tea and you fail to make a purchase.
Every time you visit a store or restaurant, be sure to count your change. Many people assume you will not check because you are not very familiar with the currency. When you are given change, take the time to count it and make sure it is correct. If there is any missing, kindly explain that they must have overlooked things and you have not received the correct amount. Do not get loud and belligerent since this is something that happens often.
After reading all of this, you may be wondering whether or not this is the place you want to visit. Don’t worry; there are tips like this that apply to every city in the world. Fez is a beautiful place that is rich in culture and history. Everyone should try to visit the area at least once in their lives. If you follow the above tips when you get there, you should have a great trip with minimal problems.
