Located in northern Morocco, about 100 kilometers east of Fez, this city of 139,686 proves to be a gem of the Taza Province.

Lying south of the Rif Mountain Range, the city is made up of the old town, or medina, 500 feet above the newer town that was built by the French in 1920.

However, the area has been inhabited for far long, stretching back at least 10,000 years, but possibly longer.

The city is located in what is called the Taza Gap, where it was founded by the Berbers in the seventh century. It has been taken over several times in its history, including by the Almoravids in 1074, Almohads in 1132, Marinids in 1248 and the French in 1914.

 

What to See

The old town’s medina, located high above the new town, is something to see, with a wide variety of merchants selling wickerwork, tapestries, jewelry and other Berber handiwork. Up in the medina lies the Al-Andalous Mosque, whose minaret was constructed in the 14^th century and has a wide top than it does a base.

South of the old city lies the Wind Gate, which dates from the 16^th century and closes a ring around the Kasbah, with the city walls that were built in the 12t century and have been fortified over the centuries to 85 feet wide.

The Wind Gate give a great view of the valley and its Olive Groves. As well, you can see the Middle Atlas and Rif Mountains from it.

The medina walls off a beautiful view of the valleys around the city, with the largest portions of the walls being built in medieval times. However, the walls have begun to crumble but restoration is being done to return them to their former glory.

The Tour Es-Sarragine is a large tower that gives you an amazing view of the Middle Atlas Mountains. However, the tower is beginning to crumble so it is not always open.

By traveling to the Ville Nouvelle, you will find the less touristy quarters of the city, which have many new buildings and little houses. However, sometimes you can come across a house under construction which gives you a deep insight into how buildings are made in Morocco.

 

Tours

As with anywhere, you can find a great deal of tours that will take you through the medina, as well as through the city to see all the sights and sounds of the amazing place. You can also get tours that will take you into the mountains, where you can camp for the night and enjoy a peaceful evening under the stars.

Of course, make sure that you tour guide is from a reputable outfit like Sahara Soul Travel, and that they are all government certified.

You will never be in danger of being harmed, but you may get the runaround and end up paying more than you had planned previously.

 

Where to Stay

In Taza, there are two primary hotels in which a person can stay. The first is the Hotel Friouato, which is located next to the Boulevard Bel Hassan al Ouazzani, and it offers beautiful rooms and bathrooms, and gives an old fashioned charm to the Moroccan hotel business. The room are cool in the summer and warm in the winter and the staff is always friendly and ready to help patrons, whether it is with their room or with finding someone to give them a tour of the new and old city.

The other hotel is the Grand Hotel Du Dauphine, which is part of a large hotel chain out of France. Located next to the Place de l’independence, the hotel offers an art-deco style in the centre of the Ville Nouvelle. It offers clean rooms, beautiful bathrooms with elegant themes and friendly service.

 

Where to Eat

The Les Deux Rives is an excellent restaurant that offers Mediterranean style food in a beautiful atmosphere. The restaurant also serves salads, tajines, pastille, pizza and soups.

If you are looking for a quiet place to relax and watch the Moroccan world walk past you, then the Café Picasso is an excellent choice. Offering a great breakfast, it is one of the few cafes not frequented only by men, so women will feel comfortable in it. The service is excellent and the food is to die for.

 

Conclusion

This large city located to the East of Fez is an excellent place to visit when you want a smaller setting, but don’t want to go with a small town. It offers culture, history and some of the most amazing views in all of Morocco.

Whether you want to hike the staircase up the medina, or enjoy the valley, this is the city that you should check out.

Enjoy the mountains around you, the friendly people near you and the atmosphere of an amazing Moroccan city.