There is no charge to visit the Bab Bou Jeloud. Many travelers visit independently when exploring Fez’s medina (old town), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a history dating back to the ninth century. Nearby cafés make a great base for people-watching, as residents go about their daily life. Many Fez Medina tours include a stop to admire the gate, along with other landmarks such as Nejjarine Square and Chouara Tannery: Book a walking tour to really soak up the atmosphere.
The Bab Bou Jeloud sits close to the western corner of Fez Medina, about a 1-mile (1.5-kilometer) walk from Nejjarine Square. Pick up a bus to the old bus station (Gare Routiére Principale), less than 0.5 miles (800 meters) away, or join a tour. Fez is not a city for self-driving.
There is life and activity around Bab Bou Jeloud day and night. Visit by day to truly appreciate the mosaic work, or by night to see it illuminated against the medina.
Known as zellige, Moroccan mosaic work developed during the period when the Moors ruled Andalucia, which is now part of Spain. Craftsmen piece together hand-chiseled, brilliantly colored tiles to create elaborate geometric patterns—without representing humans or animals, as that is forbidden in Islam. The gray clay that made Fez a center for pottery also made the city famous for zellige. Bab Bou Jeloud showcases that skill.
