Bou Inania Medersa (Madrasa Bou Inania)

The basics

There’s a small entrance fee to visit Bou Inania Medersa. Many travelers visit independently, admiring the grand central courtyard, classrooms, and living spaces at their own pace. Alternatively, it’s a common stop on walking tours of the Medina of Fez; guides can explain how students lived inside the madrasa, point out architectural details, and put this masterpiece in the context of the Marinid rulers who made Fez their capital city and launched its golden age.

Things to know before you go

• Bou Inania Medersa is a great choice for history buffs, architecture fans, and photographers.
• Although it’s not possible to enter the building at prayer times, you should still dress respectfully. Women are likely to feel more comfortable in the medina wearing loose-fitting clothing that cover the upper arms and shoulders.
• The Medina of Fez is a challenging destination for travelers who use wheelchairs. It’s better to go with a specialist guide than to try and find accessible routes independently.

How to get there

Bou Inania Medersa sits on the western side of the Medina of Fez, a 2-minute stroll from Bab Boujloud (the blue gate). While the medina itself is car free, travelers who are staying outside the historic center generally find taxis, tours, or private drivers easier than navigating Fez’s bus system.

When to get there

From Saturday to Thursday, Bou Inania Medersa is typically open from morning until noon, when it then closes for a couple of hours, reopening around 2.30pm through to about 6.30pm. On Fridays, it has a longer break in the middle of day—typically 11am through to 2.30pm—for prayers.

Dar al-Magana

Right across from the madrasa stands Dar al-Magana, a building that housed an innovative 14th-century water clock that once told time for the mosque. Although the clock no longer works, it used a water reservoir to drop brass balls into twelve bowls at hourly intervals: You can still see the ornate stucco arches that housed the bowls today.