Fez Mellah
Fez Mellah
4
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82 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
371 reviews
Excellent
112
Very good
150
Average
78
Poor
20
Terrible
11
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LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,624 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
My taxi driver from the Train Station talked about this neighborhood as we drove by. I admired the extended ornate exteriors/balconies that are similar to those I saw in the Old Town of Lima, Peru. They are different from the other old buildings of Fes.
Around the neighborhood are the usual shops and stores.
Around the neighborhood are the usual shops and stores.
Written October 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rschagrin
Delray Beach, FL15,575 contributions
Feb 2023
The Jewish quarter was created in the 15th century when the Jews were forced out of the medina. It is known for it's orate balconies and wrought iron windows. Most of the Jews left in the late 1940's when Israel was created and the balance in 1956 when Morocco became independent.
In 2020 Morocco and Israel signed an agreement that if Moroccan Jews can prove ownership of real estate, they can reclaim if they pay the back taxes.
In 2020 Morocco and Israel signed an agreement that if Moroccan Jews can prove ownership of real estate, they can reclaim if they pay the back taxes.
Written March 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JamiroAscoli
San Benedetto Del Tronto, Italy1,669 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
The Jewish Quarter of Fès, known as the Mellah, located in the Medina Fès el-Jdid near the Royal Palace, was the center of the Jewish community for centuries. The name "Mellah" comes from the word "salt" in Arabic, as the Jews used it as a currency. Originally isolated, the Jews enjoyed the protection of the sultans within the walls of the Royal Palace. The Mellah was also the site of the monopoly on the trade of precious metals. Although the community has dispersed over time, the balconies with wrought iron railings and streets such as Rue Mellah retain distinctive traces, offering a journey into history through the maze of narrow streets and markets transformed over time.
Written December 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carina Lorena B
Fort Lauderdale, FL136 contributions
Dec 2012 • Solo
got conned by the cementery guard, gave him 200 dirhams, waiting for my change , said I only gave him twenty, when I started arguing, he called his friends , who started sorrounding me, i took off quickly.
there's nothing much to see, the museum was ok, the temple a joke, and the whole Mellah was dangerous, only sold cheap electronics and Chinese made shoes, etc.
don't even bother, specially if you are a woman traveller.
there's nothing much to see, the museum was ok, the temple a joke, and the whole Mellah was dangerous, only sold cheap electronics and Chinese made shoes, etc.
don't even bother, specially if you are a woman traveller.
Written January 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda W
Newcastle, Australia12 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
The information provided on the booking site we used about the Riad we booked was completely untrue. There was NO minibar, hot tub, balcony, fan, washing machine, patio, dressing room, kitchen, private entrance or soundproofing as described for the suite we booked. This is no reflection on the booking site. People here have no problem lying to you ... About everything ... All the time ... IT IS EXHAUSTING!
You come back to your Riad so harassed and offended by the way the people treat you in Fez (and Marreckech) , that you are sooo greatful for a smile and a kind word, you surrender whole heartedly (I believe this is why there are so many gushing Riad reviews).
In regard to food, when you understand how much ingredient and labour costs are in Morocco, you'll be horrified by what a rip-off EVERYTHING is - more expensive than anywhere we've been in Europe or Asia, (including countries like Germany, France and Japan).
You have no idea what is a fair price for anything - you are in a constant state of being either ripped-off or verbally abused. The guide you hire is not on your side - you are led like a lamb to the slaughter (this includes supposed government sanctioned ones) leaving no doubt that even though you are paying him for his time, he is getting commissions everywhere he takes you. We were abandoned in the madina by one guide, because we weren't buying enough things. We had to pay someone else to get us back to our Riad.
Anything of real interest e.g. The oldest University in the world, you are forbidden from entering unless you are a Muslim. Don't be mislead by the beautiful pictures, as a whole, this is a cold and unfriendly place.
We dressed modestly and were respectful at all times but this made no difference to how we were treated. We left 2 days early. We were so disappointed, sad and offended at being taken for complete fools. Fez is not an adventure (nor is Marreckesh) it's a nightmare. Save your money, go to Portugal where the history is rich, the food and wine is great, the people are warm; and they appreciate you being a guest in there country.
You come back to your Riad so harassed and offended by the way the people treat you in Fez (and Marreckech) , that you are sooo greatful for a smile and a kind word, you surrender whole heartedly (I believe this is why there are so many gushing Riad reviews).
In regard to food, when you understand how much ingredient and labour costs are in Morocco, you'll be horrified by what a rip-off EVERYTHING is - more expensive than anywhere we've been in Europe or Asia, (including countries like Germany, France and Japan).
You have no idea what is a fair price for anything - you are in a constant state of being either ripped-off or verbally abused. The guide you hire is not on your side - you are led like a lamb to the slaughter (this includes supposed government sanctioned ones) leaving no doubt that even though you are paying him for his time, he is getting commissions everywhere he takes you. We were abandoned in the madina by one guide, because we weren't buying enough things. We had to pay someone else to get us back to our Riad.
Anything of real interest e.g. The oldest University in the world, you are forbidden from entering unless you are a Muslim. Don't be mislead by the beautiful pictures, as a whole, this is a cold and unfriendly place.
We dressed modestly and were respectful at all times but this made no difference to how we were treated. We left 2 days early. We were so disappointed, sad and offended at being taken for complete fools. Fez is not an adventure (nor is Marreckesh) it's a nightmare. Save your money, go to Portugal where the history is rich, the food and wine is great, the people are warm; and they appreciate you being a guest in there country.
Written July 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanum K
High Wycombe, UK9 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
We were wondering around before someone claiming to live in the area offered to show us to the synagogue. He claimed to be Jewish but when we later said we were Muslim he said he was that too. He spoke lovingly about the two communities and showed us the graveyard from a rooftop where he insisted we pay the residents 20dhm on our exit for their kindness.
We saw something he said was a synagogue but all we saw was an entrance hallway and nothing else. Nothing outside suggested it was a synagogue either.
He then led us into a dead end and told us that visitors give donations to help with restoration and insisted we give him 100dhm each and wouldn't lead us out until we did. A horrible, daunting and unwelcome experience. Luckily, I only had 100dhm on me so gave him only that and he took us out.
The people in the medina are far more welcoming and this experience was a real shock. There's also not much to look at, though the architecture is beautiful.
I suggest going with an official guide or not at all.
We saw something he said was a synagogue but all we saw was an entrance hallway and nothing else. Nothing outside suggested it was a synagogue either.
He then led us into a dead end and told us that visitors give donations to help with restoration and insisted we give him 100dhm each and wouldn't lead us out until we did. A horrible, daunting and unwelcome experience. Luckily, I only had 100dhm on me so gave him only that and he took us out.
The people in the medina are far more welcoming and this experience was a real shock. There's also not much to look at, though the architecture is beautiful.
I suggest going with an official guide or not at all.
Written August 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia12,205 contributions
Sep 2015 • Friends
We had a tour through the Mellah.
It is easy to reach and is located close to the Royal Palace and between the new town and the Medina.
Ensure you have a pre booked, professional tour guide, as there are many false and misleading operators around.
Several synagogues’ are being restored with the help of UNESCO funding.
In addition to the Mellah, there are traces of Fes’s Jewish past in the heart of the old city, known as Fez I-bali.
The architecture and the atmosphere is quite different from within the Medina, a little more open and with many specialty shops.
It is easy to reach and is located close to the Royal Palace and between the new town and the Medina.
Ensure you have a pre booked, professional tour guide, as there are many false and misleading operators around.
Several synagogues’ are being restored with the help of UNESCO funding.
In addition to the Mellah, there are traces of Fes’s Jewish past in the heart of the old city, known as Fez I-bali.
The architecture and the atmosphere is quite different from within the Medina, a little more open and with many specialty shops.
Written January 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
redbecca7
Atlanta, Georgia21 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
We went to the Fez Mellah to see the cemetery, synagogues and museum, but were hassled by three different false guides in a very short period of time. After being led completely astray (look at this hole in the ground - the mikva!) by one fake guide we eventually we got away from him and finally found the restored synagogue by following the signs, and it was interesting, but in the 15 minute period while we were looking for it, we were approached by two more aggressive people offering to help us find our way. One even approached us as we were reading the sign on the wall about the synagogue and said "that's not the synagogue, let me show you where it is." When we said "no thank you" we are fine, he got very angry. We left without attempting to find the entrance to the cemetery or the museum because we were so exasperated.
Written June 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tourgoddess
Reno Nevada173 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
I don't know what I was expecting but this area is very sad, run down (you could see how the buildings were once lovely), tacky modern clothes, bad restaurants...not much reason to go there that I could figure BUT the synagogue and the view of the Jewish cemetery were moving and an oasis. We were greeted by the keeper and he was worth the visit alone--friendly and warm, in our limited ways to communicate and very helpful showing us around. He took a great deal of pride in his work and was like an angel, a guardian. We were very touched by him. The building itself is lovely and you can almost push aside the fact that this rich culture is no more.
Written July 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
matthewwebster1
11 contributions
Nov 2019
Like other people have said the guides talk like the Jewish people just melted away or chose to leave but the truth is a much darker. You can tell it use to be a beautiful city full of life but now is a poor district.
Do see the old Jewish cemetery which is a welcome break from the crowds but beware there will be people at the entrance that try to make you pay (to get in and then to get out). Just know that it is free, you do not need to buy their Yarmulkas, and if you say "police" they will finally leave you alone. Out of respect for the graves and history here please do not pay these people.
Do see the old Jewish cemetery which is a welcome break from the crowds but beware there will be people at the entrance that try to make you pay (to get in and then to get out). Just know that it is free, you do not need to buy their Yarmulkas, and if you say "police" they will finally leave you alone. Out of respect for the graves and history here please do not pay these people.
Written November 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When are the opening hours/days?
Written October 11, 2016
Check with your Riad in Fes. This would be the most trusted way of finding out. Some days the street market is closed.
Written October 11, 2016
Did you go here yourself or did you have a guide? We will be in Fez on a group trip but have free time and would like to see Jewish sites.
Written January 18, 2015
We're family group of 8 and trip arranged with a guide, however people are extremely friendly and helpful and am sure they'll be of great guidance when needed. Jewish sites are not not far, matter of walk distance and within city.
Have a nice trip
Written January 19, 2015
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