Africa Things To Do

Even if you can’t afford to stay at his legendary Fez hotel, grab a mint tea on the terrace to soak up one of the most incredible views over the ancient medina. The concierge can arrange medina tours for non-guests to take in sights such as the tanneries and Kairaouine Mosque.

This enclosed, 12th-century fortress city easily takes a day to explore. It encompasses both the massive Muhammed ‘Ali Mosque (an integral part of the city skyline) and the National Military Museum.

The three Great Pyramids: Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure as well as the mythical Great Sphinx, await visitors to this desert area just outside Cairo.

Explore significant artifacts – organized in chronological order – from Egypt’s history, particularly the Pharaonic age. Most notable is the collection from the interior of King Tut’s tomb on the upper floor.

Built by Ahmad Ibn Tulum in 885, this six-acre mosque has a large courtyard and a minaret which visitors can climb courtesy of the zig-zag stairs.

One of the most breathtaking churches in Cairo, this 4th-century masterpiece has eight Corinthian columns, a pulpit surrounded by 15 marble columns, and a screen made of ebony and ivory.

Boasting one of the finest collections of Islamic art in the world, this museum displays ceramics, metal, textiles, and paintings from different periods in Islamic history.

It’s entirely possible to do a self-guided walking tour of the medina thanks to informational signs hung in touristy areas (they’re color-coded, too, so you can opt to stick to monuments and souks or arts and crafts interests).

Morocco’s finest leather goods hail from Fez. Watch tannery workers in the medina soaking animal hides in cement pits brimming with colored die. The smells are as overwhelming as the sights, but shop owners are quick to offer mint sprigs to mask the odors.

Place Nejjarine is home to one of Fez’s most beautiful tiled fountains as well as a museum of woodworking tools and techniques; the building housing the museum was originally an inn for traveling merchants.