R'cif Square and R'cif Mosque, Fes

Though the cafés around the Blue Gate ("Bab Boujeloud") are always ripe with entertainment of the people-watching variety, head down to the R'cif Square to take in a truly authentic local experience, especially around sunset. Children play, women gather, and visitors can soak in the lively ambiance from the stadium-style seating.

The square's focal point is the so-called "Mosque of the Paved Road", a significant edifice with its towering minaret and imposing presence on the city's skyline. Built in the 18th century on the cliffside by the Bou Khrareb River, it serves as a landmark at the entrance to the nearby pier and the city's central markets (or "souqs").

Inside the mosque, you will find a spacious courtyard bordered by arcaded galleries, typical of Moroccan mosque architecture. At the center of the courtyard is a rectangular water basin, providing a place for ablutions, sheltered by a small pavilion. Meanwhile, the prayer hall, marked by rows of horseshoe arches, invites worshippers to engage in prayer and contemplation.