What is the perfect getaway, anyway?
For me, it’s spending a few days in a new environment — leaving the familiar behind and diving headfirst into new smells, tastes, sounds, and sights. It’s that sense of sensory overload that somehow resets your system. You return home relaxed, energized, and inspired.
I found exactly that in Fez, Morocco.
Four days was all I needed to chase away the creeping winter gloom and find the strength to face the grey days still waiting for me back in Europe. There’s very little that sunshine, Moroccan cuisine, a good dose of exotic culture, and quality time with a loved one can’t fix.
Here’s how I experienced the perfect getaway in Fez:
Dump the city map
There’s only one way to experience the old medina: get completely lost in it. Let yourself wander, turn down alleyways without reason, and soak it all in. Every corner feels like a discovery — especially in winter, when the streets are quieter and tourists are few.
Shop or (at least) window shop
Fez is home to some seriously gorgeous handmade goods: quality leather, silver jewelry, lamps, nougat, argan oil from the South, precious stones… But be warned — the shopkeepers are persuasive. Cunning, even. So summon your most assertive alter ego and bring your top-tier bargaining game.
Spend the night in a riad
Traditional Moroccan riads are something else. With their beautifully decorated courtyards and rooms full of intricate detail, they truly feel like another world — a “1001 nights” sort of experience. While some are luxurious (and pricey), plenty offer mid-range or budget options too, without sacrificing that grand exotic ambiance.
If you can’t afford to stay in a riad…
Have drinks in a fancy Riad
If an overnight stay isn’t in the cards, splurge on a drink in one of the fancier riads. Dress up, sip slowly, and enjoy your temporary fairytale setting. Not your average night out.
Taste “Pastilla”
Pronounced bastila, this sweet and savoury pie has Andalusian-Arab roots. Traditionally made with slow-cooked pigeon meat (though chicken is more common now), it’s seasoned with cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper, then wrapped in phyllo dough, baked, and topped with crushed almonds and icing sugar. Definitely unusual and worth a try.
Marvel at the golden gates of the Royal Palace
You can’t go inside — the palace is closed to the public — but that shouldn’t stop you from admiring the grand, ornate gates. Some find it underwhelming as you can’t see the inside, but I say let your imagination do the rest. It’s worth a photo stop, at the very least.
Visit a tannery
Ever wondered where your leather shoes or bag came from? Visit the tanneries and see for yourself. The process is fascinating, gritty, and very real. You’ll know you’re close when the smell of leather (and less romantic ingredients) hits. A small tip for the guard or worker showing you around is appreciated — and expected.
Learn to cook a tajine dish
In theorie tajine dishes are simple to prepare: fresh ingredients, the right spices, and a little patience. A secret family recipe doesn’t hurt either. I got mine from a Moroccan CouchSurfer at a house party deep in the heart of the medina. But if that’s not on offer, you’ll find plenty of cooking classes in Fez. And once you’re home, recreating the dish brings your getaway right back to life.
Get out of town
Walking around in Fez can be quite intense. For a change of pace, head to the Roman ruins of Volubilis — just 70 km away. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is scattered with columns, mosaics, and wide open space. You can get there by taxi (about an hour) or hop a train heading to Meknès.
Even those who tend to doze off at archaeological sites might find this one worth staying awake for.
Fez offered me just the right mix of exploration, food, warmth, and cultural curiosity.
Would you consider Fez as a (weekend) getaway? Where was your last getaway?
 The post “Fez, Morocco: a Perfect Quick Getaway” first appeared on Travel Cake.
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