Useful Information :

  Currency : the dirham, not-convertible profits from a favourable rate of exchange, 1 euros = 11,11dh.

  Langage : Moroccan and Arabic. French is understood and spoken nearly everywhere.
Apart from the "multilingual" bazarists, medina craftsmen often do not speak French; however, you will nearly always find someone who will take great pleasure in demonstrating their skill as an English interpreter.

  Time Difference with France :
time shift of one hour less in the winter and two hours less in the summer

Time Difference with New York :
time shift of five hours less in the winter and four hours less in the summer

Climatic Conditions :

  Fez benefits from a continental climate. The sunning is maximum in all seasons.
The temperatures are lenient 9 months out of 12, the hottest in summer, July and August, with extremes sometimes reaching + 45°C/00°F and the winter mainly in February when the temperatures can approach 0°C/32°F during a few days.

These last years the rains are rare and occur mostly in February/March, often in the form of downpours. Rarely does it rain all day.
Better seasons : March to June and September to January.

Attire :

  Because of its geographical location, The Fez Medina requires "sporting" attire. As it is built on hills and small valleys, the cobblestone paving of the streets require visitors to wear comfortable walking shoes, preferably without heels.

For spring and the autumn evenings, wear a light sweater because the temperature differences between day and night can be great.
Whatever the season, decent and appropriately respectful behaviour is advised.

Means of transport :

  Petits Taxis :  each city has its own colour for small taxis. In Fez, they are red, very numerous in the Modern Town. Each petit taxi takes a maximum of three passengers. The fares are moderate. For example, from Recif (in the center of the medina) to the Modern town, the fare to downtown will be approximately 10dhs during the day. At night starting at 8 pm, the tariffs are raised by 50%. All the petit taxis are equipped with meters and provide service out to the urban perimeter.

  Grands Taxis : Mercedes past their prime, they ensure connections beyond the urban perimeter. They accept a maximum of 6 passengers. As they do not have meters the price of the race is negotiated in advance.

  Trains : For most connections from city to city, trains are the preferable mode of transport. The Moroccan ONCF has a history of continuous improvement of its services in both comfort level and precision scheduling. From Fez there are regular trains towards Meknes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Taza/Oujda.

  Taxi Tourism : There are about thirty Taxis dedicated specifically to tourists. These Mercedes are more of recent vintage than the Grand Taxis and ensure much better comfort. Their drivers speak at least one foreign language. You contract with the drivers by the day or for extended time periods.

Means of transport continuation :

  Car Rental agencies are downtown. Europcar and Hertz for most known and ensure the same level of service as in Europe.

AIRPORT :

  The Fez airport is located ten kilometres from the city. From here, Royal Air Maroc, the country’s principal airline, ensures direct daily connections to France or to the USA and rest of Europe via Casablanca.  The Moroccan sky is has also just begun opening to the world, and new airlines have just started serving Fez. Corsair was the first airline charter to offer direct flights for  Paris/Fez. Since the autumn 2006 RYANAIR, ATLAS BLUE, JET4YOU have all inaugurated new destinations in Europe.

Art de Vivre :
 

Morocco is a Muslim country and its people are by nature warm and welcoming. Fez, spiritual and religious capital of Morocco, shows its hospitality too, but it is useful to have some basic knowledge in order to respect the sensitivity of its inhabitants. To avoid embarrassing or offending local population, women should not wear attire which is too "suggestive" on the streets. Avoid open neck, miniskirts or minishorts; Bermudas however, are acceptable.  Correct behaviour dictates respect for the Morcoccan culture and its people, for example in not drinking alcohol in public, avoiding the public amorous displays...

It is not uncommon to be invited to eat in a Moroccan home.  Such an invitation is often occasion for a true feast.  Even the most modest family will not hesitate to sacrifice an important budget to honour their guests. In Europe good education dictates that guests finish their plates; in Morocco it is the opposite. Cleaning your plate means that you are still hungry and that there is not enough food prepared for you, which dishonours the hosting family. 

With the exception of the mosque Hassan II in Casablanca, mosques in Morocco are prohibited to non Muslims. Fez has approximately 300 mosques, from the small district prayer room to the prestigious Qaraouiyine. The doors are often open and one can admire architecture and splendid inner decors. It is possible to take photographs but avoiding directly photographing the people who are there.

RAMADAN :

The Muslim holy month requires different sensitivities. During Ramadan, everyday suddenly changes.  At this time, Muslims fast, abstaining from all food, drink and earthly pleasures during daylight hours.  Administrations and institutions open early in the morning and often close towards 15H or 16H (according to the seasons when the Ramadan proceeds). The trades remain late open in the evening or the night.

Most cafes and restaurants close during the day and open only at the time of F’tour (breaking of the fast). Bars at this time are strictly closed, and alcohol sales during Ramadan are prohibited even to foreigners.

During the day avoid smoking and eating in public not to offend the Muslim sensibilities during their religious observance, or go apart in a quiet and little attended place. This respectful attitude will be appreciated by the population.

VIE PRATIQUE :

   As in all Muslim countries, Friday is a day of great prayer and thus represents the equivalent of Sunday for Christians.
 
Considering the "distance" which separates Fez Medina from Fez Modern town, the organization of the weekly rest is different.
In Fez Medina all shops are closed on Fridays around noon whereas in the Modern town closing is on Sundays.
The administrations and banks are closed in the two cities Saturdays and Sundays.
During summer and the month of Ramadan, banks and government offices have varying opening and closing hours, so during these times it is best to check the local office schedules when you need to visit these offices.

RAMADAN continuation :

One hour before F’tour, people start to rush to make their last food shopping in the souks or to return home on time for the breaking of the fast. Suddenly, the streets are empty and rarely a person is to be seen on the streets. It is at the same time magic and impressive, for all over the country families are having a special time of sharing. It’s equivalent to our Christmas, except it lasts 30 days instead of one.

During Ramadan, you have also special evenings when friends gather after the break to listen to songs and soufi music, sharing mint tea.