Dar al-Makhzen (Royal Palace of Fes), Fes

Dar al-Makhzen (Royal Palace of Fes), Fes (must see)

Visiting the Royal Palace, the current residence of Morocco's king, is an experience that requires a bit of preparation. Ensure you have your passport with you, as guards at the gate conduct thorough checks and occasionally deny entry. If granted access, your passport will be held until you leave.

A highlight of the visit is witnessing the "hoisting of the colors" ceremony, performed daily at 10:45 AM by the ceremonial guard.

While visitors are not permitted inside the palace itself, exploring the expansive palace grounds offers a pleasant experience. The meticulously maintained lawns and gardens provide a serene setting for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing picnic. Compared to other areas of Morocco, the grounds are notably clean and well-kept. The palace's striking pink and white exterior, with its walls and turrets, adds to the ambiance.

Tip:
From Place des Alaouites, take a moment to admire the craftsmanship of the giant brass knockers on the palace doors, crafted by local artisans. Additionally, Rue Bou Ksissat, which runs along the southeast side of the palace, is lined with ornate residential facades, offering a glimpse into the architectural heritage of the Mellah's edge.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Fes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Dar al-Makhzen (Royal Palace of Fes) on Map

Sight Name: Dar al-Makhzen (Royal Palace of Fes)
Sight Location: Fes, Morocco (See walking tours in Fes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in Fes, Morocco

Create Your Own Walk in Fes

Create Your Own Walk in Fes

Creating your own self-guided walk in Fes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fes New Town Walking Tour

Fes New Town Walking Tour

Created by the French in the early 20th century, Ville Nouvelle (New Town) is a relatively modern central district of Fez. A far cry from the sensory overload provided by the old Medina, this neighborhood was originally designed to accommodate foreigners and affluent Moroccans only.

Still, Fez's Ville Nouvelle is as much 'real' Morocco as any donkey-packed lane in the old city....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Fes Old Town Walking Tour

Fes Old Town Walking Tour

North and west of the fabled Atlas Mountains of North Africa is the ancient city of Fes, or Fez. It is centered on the Fes River.

In the year 789 Idris I founded the city and the Idrisid dynasty. The city was two settlements on either side of the river. In the 11th century, Sultan Yusuf ibn Tashfin established Almoravid rule. He united the settlements into Fes el-Bali. The Almoravids were...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles