Fes, Morocco· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Andalusian and Gnawa music evening
Spend an evening of live Moroccan music in a Fes medina riad: Andalusian al-ala on oud, violin and rebab, Gnawa on the guembri and iron qraqeb, or a mix of both. Dinner and a short introduction to what you hear come with it. Allow about 2–3 hours, then a walk back to your riad.
- Private or small-group
- A local guide with you
- Quoted for your dates
What it's like
Fes is one of the great homes of Andalusian music, al-ala, the classical tradition brought to Morocco from Muslim Spain and kept alive here by orchestras of oud, violin, rebab and darbouka. It is formal, layered music, organised in long suites, and Fes ensembles are among the most respected in the country.
Gnawa is something else entirely: the spiritual music of communities with sub-Saharan roots, best known from Essaouira, built on the deep bass of the three-stringed guembri and the clatter of qraqeb, iron castanets. We can arrange an evening with either, or an evening that moves between the two, with dinner and a short introduction to what you are hearing.
Best for: A memorable last night in Fes; Couples and celebrations; Families looking for an evening activity.
- How long
- About 2–3 hours
- Where
- A riad or traditional house in the Fes medina
- How active
- Gentle, little walking
- Families
- Children welcome
Horns and drums at the Moulay Idriss moussem, Place Boujloud.
Place Boujloud, FesHow it runs
A typical running order. Timings shift with your group, the season and the day of the week.
Evening
Arrive at the riad
Your guide walks you through the medina at dusk to a riad or traditional house.
+0:15
An introduction to the music
A short explanation of the instruments and the tradition, so you know what to listen for.
+0:30
The performance
Live music in the courtyard. Andalusian suites unfold slowly; Gnawa builds in rhythm and intensity.
+1:30
Dinner
A Fassi dinner served in the riad, usually salads, a tagine or pastilla, fruit and mint tea.
+2:30
Walk back
Your guide accompanies you back through the medina to your riad.
Up close
Al-ala (Andalusian music)
The classical music of Moroccan cities, inherited from al-Andalus and played in long suites by oud, violin, rebab and percussion.
Guembri
A three-stringed bass lute with a camel-skin body, the heartbeat of Gnawa music.
Qraqeb
Heavy iron castanets played in pairs, giving Gnawa its driving metallic rhythm.
Private or small-group
Private
A private performance for your party, with musicians of your chosen tradition and dinner in a riad. Ideal for celebrations.
Small-group
A shared evening with a few other travellers around the same courtyard.
Practical notes
Evenings are relaxed and seated. Dietary requirements for dinner can be handled with notice. If you are in Fes during the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, we can help you plan around the official programme instead.
Good to know
Andalusian and Gnawa are different traditions; tell us which you prefer, or ask for both. The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music dates change each year; check the official programme. Your guide walks you there and back, so no navigating the medina at night alone.
Before you knock
The questions people ask us most before they plan a trip.
What is Andalusian music?
What is the difference between Andalusian and Gnawa music?
Can we have a private music evening for a celebration?
Pair it with
Sunset at the Merinid TombsClimb to the hill above Fes el-Bali for the city's great sunset view, with the Saadian fort of Borj Nord and the Merinid ruins on the way.See how it runs
Traditional hammamSteam, black soap and a kessa scrub: the Moroccan bathhouse ritual, either in a neighbourhood hammam with a guide to show you how or in a quieter private hammam.See how it runs
Calligraphy workshopCut a reed pen, mix the ink and learn to write your name in Maghrebi script, then see the great Kufic inscriptions of the Fes madrasas with new eyes.See how it runsRead before you go: Fes sacred music and festivals, Things to do in Fes at night.
Send your dates. We'll fit this into your Fes days.
- Tell us what drew you in. Your dates, who is travelling and what you want to see.
- A person reads it. We write a day-by-day plan for your group, private or small-group.
- You change anything. Then we confirm the guides, drivers and riads.