Fez, 1660

souk al-attarine has a spice for every need

era: crossroads 

elements: peppercorn • bay leaf • bergamot • sage • tobacco • cedar 

feel: smooth, balanced & complex

intensity: medium

An intoxicatingly complex swirl of scents envelops you in this ancient market, where you can bargain with attarine (spice traders in Arabic) for colorful spices used not only for cuisine but for health, spirit, wealth, and ritual. Already 800 years old in the 17th century, the souk is in the heart of Fez's medina, or old city, and in the 21st century is still a thriving market where spices are sculpted into elegant cones, intact medieval architecture surrounds you, and the twisting streets are pedestrian only, creating one of the world's largest car-free urban zones. For more about this World Heritage Site, see UNESCO.