Creative Retreats in historic

Fez Medina

Take a moment to slow down in a place where life moves to a gentler rhythm - where locals greet you like an old friend as you wander winding alleyways, soak in vibrant traditions, and find beauty in the everyday.


Our retreats aren’t just a break from routine. More than a holiday, they offer a real escape - a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your creative self in a setting that inspires at every turn.

a Home for creatives & Explorers

At Creative Explorers Fez, we believe creativity thrives in a space filled with beauty, calm, and inspiration.


Our retreats are hosted at Dar Drouj, a lovingly restored 14th-century house located on the edge of Fez Medina - a creative refuge for artists, dreamers, and explorers, yet close to the best the Medina has to offer.


We offer carefully curated retreats for small groups of creative explorers - from singers and painters to anyone simply seeking space to breathe, reflect, and create.

If a building becomes architecture, then it is art

Our Upcoming Retreats

Our upcoming retreats are more than just time away - they’re time set aside for you. A chance to slow down, turn inward, and be inspired by the rhythms of Moroccan life.

Sound & Stillness
A Singing Retreat
Join vocal coach Daphne Bečka for a soulful week of singing, connection, and cultural inspiration. Ideal for beginner to intermediate singers.

12 to 19 October 2025
Hosted at Dar Drouj, Fez, Morocco
Workshops in Dutch

Shared room (max 2) € 890
Single room + € 250
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Brush & Soul
A Creative Retreat
A contemplative painting retreat with Beatrijs Wind, exploring Moroccan light and visual storytelling through daily prompts and quiet creative time.

02 to 09 November 2025
Hosted at Dar Drouj, Fez, Morocco
Workshops in Dutch and English

Shared room (max 2) € 890
Single room + € 250
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Colour & Calm
A Painting Retreat
Join Rogier Oversteegen for a grounding week of painting, intuitive expression, and walks inspired by the Medina’s tones and earthy textures.

22 February to 01 March 2026
Hosted at Dar Drouj, Fez, Morocco
Workshops in Dutch and English

Shared room (max 2) € 890
Single room + € 250
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You & Your Canvas
A Painting Retreat
Join plein air painter Cédric Visser for a week of open-air painting inspired by Fez Medina. Paint like the impressionists, and create a series of small works that capture the magic and emotion of your experience.

01 March to 08 March 2026
Hosted at Dar Drouj, Fez, Morocco
Workshops in Dutch and English

Share room (max 2) € 890
Single room + € 250
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Sketch & Stroll
An Urban Sketching Retreat
Join us Fez for a unique urban sketching retreat. Create your own visual travel diary while soaking up the colours, scents, and shapes of this vibrant Moroccan city.

05 April to 12 April 2026
Hosted at Dar Drouj, Fez, Morocco
Workshops in Dutch and English

Share room (max 2) € 890
Single room + € 250
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What's Included

During our retreats, everything is taken care of so you can fully focus on your creativity and your experience in Fez. Your stay includes accommodation, daily meals, creative workshops or sessions, cultural excursions, and personal time to relax and explore.

Accommodation

Spend a week at Dar Drouj, a unique 14th-century house with a rich history. Located in an authentic local neighbourhood on the edge of Fez’s old medina, its rooms are spacious and designed for rest, reflection, and creative focus.


Enjoy 7 nights in a private or shared room, including airport transfers to and from Fez.

Cuisine

Experience the warmth of Moroccan hospitality through traditional, home-cooked meals lovingly prepared each day by our cook, Fatima Zahra. Every meal is a celebration of local flavours.


Enjoy Moroccan meals every day. Tea, coffee, and water are available throughout the day.

Programme

Our creative retreats consist of a carefully curated programme of workshops, free time, and guided outings to special places, all designed to help you reconnect with your creativity.


Workshop materials and thoughtfully curated excursions are included in your retreat experience.

Culture

We invite you to step beyond the studio and into the rhythm of daily life in Fez, a city of craftsmanship, light, and layered stories. Cultural excursions are woven into the retreat to deepen your connection with the place and its people.


Explore unique sites in and around the Medina, with lunch or dinner included.

Why Our Guests Love Us

Fez is a city where creativity is woven into daily life - from ancient artisan traditions to a vibrant, evolving artistic scene.

DarDrouj

Your Creative Retreat in the Medina

Dar Drouj is an intimate artist’s house, designed with the creative explorer in mind. Located in a lovingly restored traditional home from 1308 on the edge of the old city, it's tucked away from the bustle yet close to everything Fez has to offer. Full of authentic woodwork and mosaic details, the house offers a sanctuary for artists and explorers, with every space designed to invite calm, reflection, and creativity. With thoughtful design, natural materials, and warm light, Dar Drouj sets the stage for a time of focus, inspiration, and inner stillness.

  • The Artist Room:
    CHAIBA TALAL
    Enjoy this room inspired by Chaiba Talal, a Moroccan artist known for her vibrant, abstract paintings that blend traditional motifs with contemporary expression.
  • The Writers Room:
    FATEMA MERNISSI
    Fatema Mernissi was a pioneering Moroccan feminist, sociologist, and writer. Her influential works - including Beyond the Veil - explored gender, Islam, and women’s rights, challenging traditional norms across the Arab world.
  • The Spiritual Room:
    ISSAWA
    This cozy family space draws inspiration from Issawa - a spiritual musical tradition in Morocco known for its rhythmic energy, trance-inducing rituals, and deep cultural roots.
  • The Traveller Room:
    IBN BATTUTA
    Named after the legendary 14th-century Moroccan explorer, this room pays tribute to Ibn Battuta, whose epic journeys across Africa, Asia, and Europe are chronicled in The Rihla - a timeless window into medieval cultures.
  • The Music Room:
    UMM KULTHUM
    This space honours Umm Kulthum, the iconic Egyptian singer known as the “Star of the East.” Her powerful voice and emotional performances left a lasting mark on generations across the Arab world.
  • The Roof Terrace
    The rooftop of Dar Drouj is the crown jewel of the house - offering sweeping views over the Medina. It’s a serene spot for breakfast, reading, or painting in the sunshine. It's a wonderfully peaceful spot for breakfast, reading a book, or having classes in the morning sun.

  • The Atrium:

    BOS DAR

    Alongside the rooftop, the sunlit atrium serves as a creative space for painting, music, writing, and quiet reflection. A calm and inspiring environment where ideas flow and artists can work at their own pace.

If a building becomes architecture, then it is art
Meet the Creative Explorers Team
At the heart of Creative Explorers Fez is a small, passionate team who bring warmth, creativity, and care to everything they do. Together, we’re here to make sure your experience in Fez is inspiring, enriching, and truly unforgettable.
  • Jennifer & Patrick
    Keepers of the Vision
    Jennifer is your dedicated hostess here in Fez. Originally from just north of Amsterdam, she splits her time between Morocco and the Netherlands, where she lives with her husband Patrick and their family. With a background in coaching and a deep love for art and creativity, she brings warmth, care, and a unique energy to every retreat at Dar Drouj.
  • Fatima Zahra
    House Manager & Magic Maker
    Fatima Zahra is the heart of the house. With calm determination and a generous spirit, she prepares delicious Moroccan meals each day with love and care. She also keeps Dar Drouj beautifully clean, organised, and welcoming. Her warmth and smile make every guest feel at home, and her food alone is enough to make you want to stay forever.
  • Abdullah
    Local Guide & All-Round Legend
    Abdullah was born and raised in the Medina and knows every street, shortcut, and secret spot in Fez. He’s our fixer, translator, and scooter-powered problem-solver - always ready to help with calm efficiency and a big smile. Whether it’s guiding guests, coordinating transport, or sorting last-minute needs, he brings insight, energy, and heart to the Dar Drouj experience.
Our Partners
Creative Explorers Fez and Dar Drouj are proud members of the Fez Art Residency collective - a network of independent hosts, creative spaces, and cultural initiatives working together to promote Fez Medina as an inspiring destination for creative and artistic exchange.
Reserve your place today
Join us in the heart of Fez, where the magic of storytelling meets the enchantment of Morocco. Embrace the transformative power of writing, discover new depths of your creativity, and create unforgettable memories. We look forward to welcoming you to Dar Drouj.
Dar Drouj, Derb Drouj
10 Gzira Fes-el Bali
Fez Morocco
Jennifer (host) +31652335901
Reserve Your Spot
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