Get lost in the passageways that started forming here in the 9th Century. The people living in the medina are living a totally different way of life from anywhere else in traditional open-courtyard style houses cum shops where artisans create their wares. One of the world's oldest universities is within the walls, which brim with highly decorative fountains and interesting architecture. And lots of carpet shops. Be prepared for some hard selling techniques.

Fez Medina

Fez's market heart hasn't changed it layout much since medieval times, still a maze of narrow passageways and houses full of merchants vying to sell you carpets, pots, dates, fish, leather and other local arts and handicrafts. Cars can't fit between the houses so the medina hasn't been able to embrace all the extra speed, danger and noise motorised traffic can add to a busy place – and even if a car could fit between the buildings there would never be enough space to turn around in this magically unplanned maze. Small and large pottery, tanning and carpet making factories run in much the same way they always have, meaning with no health and safety regulations and lots of authentic dirt and smells.

You will find the modern seepage of globalised tourism in some of the 'Made in China' tat that Morocco is now wealthy enough to import, but the more traditional crafts and trades survive in the market's huge meandering heart.