Overview
Al-Qarawiyyin was founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, a woman from Tunisia, and is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the world's oldest existing degree-granting institution. The complex combines a mosque and university; while the prayer hall is closed to non-Muslims, you can glimpse its ornate courtyard from the Al-Attarine Madrasa rooftop or the library entrance. Restored in 2016, its library preserves over 4,000 rare manuscripts dating from the 9th century. Set in the heart of the Fes medina, it pairs well with a stroll through the surrounding alleys. Free to view from outside. Center of the medina.
Opening Hours
Exterior 24 hours (nearby cafes recommended outside prayer)
Travel Tips
Non-Muslims cannot enter the mosque - view it from the Al-Attarine rooftop or nearby cafe terraces. A guide helps decode the library exterior and the seven gates.
Hotels near Karaouine University (Al-Qarawiyyin)
Hotels and guesthouses in Fes, Fes el Bali, Fes
Other attractions in Fes
Chouara Tannery
A leather dyeing workshop with a thousand-year tradition - its colorful dyeing vats are a spectacular sight.
Bou Inania Madrasa
A 14th-century Marinid-era Islamic seminary showcasing the pinnacle of zellige tilework and cedarwood carving.
Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate)
The iconic entrance to the Fes medina - blue tiles on the inside, green tiles on the outside.
Al-Attarine Madrasa
A jewel-like 14th-century Marinid seminary set in the heart of the spice market.
Merenid Tombs
Ruined tombs on the hill north of the medina, the best sunset viewpoint over Fes.
Dar Batha Museum
Fes pottery and Berber craft museum housed in a 19th-century palace.