The Choosy Traveller: Fez vs. Marrakesh Medina

Two Medinas, One Soul-Stirring Choice

Sometimes travellers have to choose. Because of time or distance, we have to decide to go to one place rather than another. How to choose? Today, we compare two famous cities in Morocco.

It is said that Fez is the soul of Morocco, but Marrakesh is its beating heart. In Fez, time seems to stand still, with artisans quietly shaping clay in courtyards and donkeys navigating narrow alleys unchanged for centuries. Marrakesh, by contrast, pulses with colour, scent, and sound. Its market lanes are packed, chaotic and charming.

The medina experience in each city promises something unforgettable, but which one will speak to you more deeply? Let’s break it down.

Historic Foundations and Cultural Legacy

First up, what the heck is a medina? A medina is a walled city centre. Found throughout North Africa, they are typically historic, have narrow lanes and busy markets. In Morocco, the most famous medinas are in Fez and Marrakesh. As UNESCO World Heritage Sites, wandering through these two medinas is like stepping into different chapters of Morocco’s history.

Fez, the elder statesman, was founded in the 8th century and wears its heritage proudly. The University of al-Qarawiyyin, which is in Fez’s medina, is considered by many to be the world’s oldest existing university. Fez’s devotion to heritage is evident in its slow pace and reverence for traditional skills. You can’t speak about Fez without mentioning the cats. Cats are beloved throughout Morocco, but they have conquered the medina in Fez. They patrol market lanes, keeping it free of vermin and are rewarded with food from vendors.

Marrakesh arrived a few centuries after Fez, and it made its mark with bold architecture, grand palaces, and a flair for theatrics that continues today. Marrakesh embraces change, blending the ancient with the chic, where you might stroll past a medieval mosque one moment and a trendy rooftop bar the next. Don’t miss the few remaining storytellers, known as hlaykia or hakawti, in the Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. From a centuries old tradition of oral storytelling, they come at dusk to narrate ancient myths and legends.

Both cities reflect Morocco’s layered identity—Fez, introspective and scholarly; Marrakesh, expressive and spirited. Keeping their historical roots in mind, let’s step inside the architectural wonders that make each medina so memorable.

Architectural Marvels in Every Step

Fez’s architecture is a quiet revelation. In the oldest parts of the medina, you’ll walk through dark, winding lanes that open into sunlit courtyards covered in zelij tiles, wood-carved balconies, and fountains that murmur like whispers from the past. There’s a stunning authenticity here; the buildings are often crumbling, but beautifully so. Their worn edges speak to generations who lived and worked within these walls.

Marrakesh, on the other hand, seduces with colour and spectacle. Its signature red walls give the city its nickname, Red City, and the medina offers a theatrical display of design. The Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs stand as glorious remnants of dynastic ambition, while the Koutoubia Mosque anchors the city with grandeur. The layout may feel chaotic, but there’s always a surprise around the corner, whether it's an intricately tiled riad or a hidden courtyard café perfumed by orange blossoms.

Up next: shopping in the souks (markets).

Shopping in the Souks: From Fez Pottery to Marrakesh Trinkets

In Fez, shopping can feel almost sacred. Each artisan belongs to a guild, preserving methods passed down for generations. There’s no rush; a visit to a pottery workshop might include a demonstration of how the famed Fez Pottery is shaped and glazed by hand. Leather, brass, and ceramics aren't just souvenirs, they’re living artefacts. Bartering here is respectful and measured, more of a cultural dance than a competition.

In contrast, the Marrakesh souks thrive on energy. Bright babouches hang like candy in the stalls, and shopkeepers call out with playful persistence. Buying and selling is part trade, part performance. Stand your ground, and enjoy the banter. While you’ll find similar crafts as in Fez, there’s more emphasis on fast sales and fashionable reinterpretations of traditional design. It’s easier to find mass-produced items, but also modern takes on Moroccan style.

We’ve browsed the shelves and bargained at the stalls. One question remains: what kind of traveller is best suited to each medina?

Finding Your Medina Match

If your heart longs for stillness, shadowy corners, and stories carved into ancient wood, Fez might be your match. It rewards patience and curiosity, inviting you to slow down and look closer. The spiritual atmosphere here is tangible, especially when you stumble upon a hidden madrasa or hear the call to prayer echo through the stone streets.

Marrakesh is perfect if you’re craving buzz, social interaction, and constant surprises. It’s made for wanderers who want to be dazzled, whether by sunset views from a rooftop terrace or the hypnotic beats in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where you can find musicians as well as storytellers. There’s a performance quality to Marrakesh, and it’s easy to get swept up in the rhythm.

Which type of traveller are you?

The Spirit of Morocco in Two Cities

Fez and Marrakesh are not rivals, but reflections. Fez honours the past with stillness while Marrakesh invites the present to dance. Both medinas will leave you changed, whether by a quiet moment in a Fez courtyard or the electric energy of a Marrakesh evening.

If Wanderwell had to choose, we’d go to Fez for two reasons. We’re suckers for places where the past still breathes, and we really like cats.

The good news? There’s no bad choice here. Whether you go to Fez or Marrakesh or both, you’ll carry the medina energy with you. As you wander the alleyways, sip mint tea, or admire a hand-painted bowl, you’ll the timeless rhythm of Morocco pulsing beneath your feet.

Want to read more? Why You Should You Stay in a Riad in Morocco. The Well-Read Wanderer: The Literary Titans of Tangier. The Hungry Traveller: A Definite Guide to Moroccan Food.