Fes el-Bali Medina

The world's largest car-free urban area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, the medina of Fes was founded in 789 AD and is the best-preserved medieval city in the Arab world, with 9,400 alleys, 186 mosques, and the Chouara Tannery -- where leather has been processed using the same pigeon dung and natural dye method since the 11th century. The University of al-Qarawiyyin, founded in 859 AD within the medina, is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the world's oldest continuously operating university. Compared to the Marrakech Medina, Fes el-Bali is 50% more walkable due to its car-free status and attracts 2 million more visitors annually.