CITY SLICKER
Overlooked city three hours from the UK that ‘still isn’t touristy’ – but warm in winter and extremely cheap
Flights from London to the city start from £32
IF you're wanting some winter sun with cheap flights that isn't far from the UK, there is a place that is still often overlooked by Brits.
Fez in Morocco is referred to by many as the “country’s cultural capital”.
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Morocco has become a more popular holiday destination over the years, thanks to being a cheap but hot place to visit for the colder months.
Barbara Podbial is a Morocco specialist advisor at travel agency Flee Winter and has been visiting the country for two decades.
She said Marrakesh can feel very busy with so many budget flights bringing in tourists.
But Fez is a good alternative, and is one of the lesser visited cities in the country.
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Speaking to the BBC, she said while Fez has the largest Medina in the world, it’s not overly touristy.
So what does Fez have to offer? Delicious food, vibrant markets, and plenty of attractions, including its ancient medina - a labyrinth of narrow streets, souks, and beautiful buildings with mosaics.
The Medina in Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest Medina in North Africa.
It’s made up of over 9,000 alleys that are separated from the outside world by high walls.
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There are a variety of shops selling lots of different goods, including food, leather products, handwoven rugs, and high-painted ceramics.
Borj Nord Arms Museum has a collection of weapons from around the world, including many made in Fez’s Makina arms factory.
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The museum itself is an impressive building - one of the largest defence structures surrounding the city - and offers prime views of the historic quarter in Fez.
It’s open from Tuesday through to Sunday from 9am until noon, and 2pm until 6pm.
Grab a glass of authentic Moroccan mint tea at Abdullah’s tea stall
Abdullah Touati has run a tea counter in Fez Medina since 1969 in Rue Machatine.
To make the tea, he uses a blend of herbs - peppermint, spearmint, sage, marjoram, absinthe and lemon verbena - grown behind his house.
He then serves it to locals and travellers for 10 MAD (80p) a glass.
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Eat for cheap at the colourful Foundouk Bazaar
is located in the heart of Fez Medina and offers a menu inspired by Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisines.
There’s tapas and mezze to share in a beautifully designed courtyard, with a rooftop dining option too.
Its saffron orange chicken comes highly recommended and you can expect to pay around £7 for a mezze of three tapas.
Drink in the stunning views at Borj Sud Viewpoint
Borj Sud is a historic fort that was built during the 16th century, situated on the hills overlooking Fez Medina.
It was built as a strategic lookout over the city and provides a view of the city from a different perspective.
It’s just a short walk up the hill from the Medina - not a long or difficult hike - but it's recommended you wear comfortable shoes.
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Explore the Medina
Take a guided tour of some of the 9,700 pedestrianised streets to see the incredible mosaics of Bou Inania Medersa and El Glaoui Palace, and peer through the engraved wooden doors of Al Quaraouiyine, the world’s first university dating from 859 AD. Half-day tours cost from £40.
Then sip mint tea at the cafe of the 18th century Nejjarine Museum of Wood Arts and Crafts, entry £1.60.
Later get a hilltop selfie on the top of Al-Qolla while visiting the remains of the Merenid Tombs.
Feast on duck pie
Head to ’s walled garden for inventive French and Moroccan fusion cooking and order the canard pastille, a flaky pastry pie filled with shredded duck, £28 for three courses.
Seek out silk
Sift through the embroidered silks and kaftans in Souk El Attarine and expect to pay up to £10 for a scarf.
Then sit down for a freshly squeezed orange juice to the sound of coppersmiths hammering out fine trays and teapots in Seffarine Square.
Hit the rooftops
Grab a sundowner on Bar Mezzanine’s rooftop close to the beautiful Bab Boujloud – the Blue Gate.
Enjoy cheap flight deals to Fez
The cheapest flights to Fez are from London Stansted with Ryanair, costing £14.99.
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Three hours and 15 minutes is the average flight time from London to Fez.
The best time to visit is between March and April and September and November for warmer weather (but not too hot), longer days, fewer crowds and better prices.
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