Meknes is the smallest and most relaxed of Morocco’s four imperial cities, best known for Bab Mansour, the monumental gate built for Sultan Moulay Ismail, and for the Roman ruins of Volubilis about an hour away. Fes is also about an hour away, so most travelers see Meknes and Volubilis together on a day trip from Fes.
Meknes is one of the imperial cities of Morocco, alongside Fes, Marrakech and Rabat, and one of the best cities to visit in Morocco if you prefer history without the crowds. Here is what to see and how to plan your visit.
A Short History of Meknes
Meknes began as a settlement of the Meknassa Berber tribe, who gave the city its name, and grew into a fortified town under the Almoravids in the 11th century. Its golden age came under Sultan Moulay Ismail, who ruled from 1672 to 1727 and made Meknes his capital. He surrounded it with around 40 km of walls, built monumental gates, palaces, granaries and stables, and earned it the nickname of the Versailles of Morocco.
After his death the capital moved on, and the 1755 earthquake damaged much of the city. The historic city of Meknes was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996 for its blend of Islamic and European design.
Best Things to Do in Meknes
- Bab Mansour. One of the grandest gates in Morocco, covered in green and black zellige and completed after Moulay Ismail’s death. It faces Place el Hedim and is the best place to start.
- Place el Hedim. The main square between the medina and the imperial city, with cafes and street life in the evening. It is the Meknes version of Jemaa el-Fna, on a smaller and calmer scale.
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The resting place of the sultan, decorated with tiles, carved plaster and cedar. It is one of the few shrines in Morocco that non-Muslims may enter, though it has closed for restoration in recent years, so ask your guide whether it is open.
- Heri es-Souani. The vast royal granaries and stables, built to hold food for the city and to house thousands of horses. The vaulted rooms are cool and impressive.
- The Agdal basin. A large reservoir next to the granaries, built to water the royal gardens. A pleasant place for a walk.
- Dar Jamai. A 19th-century palace on Place el Hedim, now a museum with a lovely Andalusian garden.
- The medina and souks. Calmer than Fes or Marrakech, which makes Meknes a good place to browse ceramics, embroidery, woodwork and damascene metalwork without pressure.
Volubilis and Moulay Idriss
Volubilis, about an hour from Meknes, is the best preserved Roman site in Morocco and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. Walk among the triumphal arch, the basilica, olive presses and some of the finest floor mosaics in North Africa, set in open country with views across the plains. Go early in the day, as there is little shade.
Close to Volubilis, the hill town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is one of the holiest places in Morocco. It is home to the shrine of Idris I, the founder of the first Moroccan dynasty and of Fes, and the whitewashed houses spill down two hills. Stop at one of the terraces in the upper town for the view.
How Many Days in Meknes?
Half a day is enough for the highlights of Meknes, and a full day lets you add Volubilis and Moulay Idriss. Most travelers base themselves in Fes and visit both on a day trip, about an hour each way. If you are coming from Chefchaouen, you can stop at Volubilis on the way (about 2 hours), then continue to Meknes (about 1 hour) and Fes (about 1 hour).
For where to stay, see our ranking of the best riads in Fes, and for what to do there, our guide to the best things to do in Fes.
How to Get to Meknes and Get Around
Getting to Meknes
- With a private driver. On our tours, Meknes is visited with Volubilis and Fes. Volubilis to Meknes is about 1 hour, Meknes to Fes about 1 hour, and Chefchaouen to Volubilis about 2 hours.
- By train. Meknes has two stations. Most visitors use Gare El Amir Abdelkader in the Ville Nouvelle. Trains run to Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakech.
- To Volubilis and Moulay Idriss. No trains go to Volubilis or Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, so you need a car, a driver or a grand taxi agreed in advance.
Getting Around Meknes
- On foot. The medina and the imperial city are easy to walk, starting from Place El Hedim in front of Bab Mansour.
- By petit taxi. City taxis are small and pale blue. Drivers are required to use the meter, so ask for it.
- By calèche. Horse-drawn carriages near Place El Hedim are a relaxed way to see the long imperial walls.
Read our guide to Fes and the imperial cities of Morocco.
Best Time to Visit Meknes
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, with mild days for walking the medina and the open site of Volubilis. Summer is hot inland and winter nights are cold. See the best time to visit Morocco and what to wear in Morocco.
Meknes FAQ
Bab Mansour, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, its UNESCO listed historic center and its closeness to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Yes. It is quieter than Fes and Marrakech, and combined with Volubilis and Moulay Idriss it makes one of the best day trips in Morocco.
About an hour by car.
About an hour by car.
Yes. The four imperial cities of Morocco are Fes, Meknes, Marrakech and Rabat.
Yes. With a driver, you can see the highlights of both and be back in Fes for dinner.
By road. Volubilis is about 1 hour from Meknes, and there is no train, so go with a private driver or a grand taxi agreed in advance.
Plan Your Visit to Meknes
Meknes and Volubilis are part of most of our private tours, usually on the day before or after Fes, on the way to the Sahara. Our 14 day tour from Casablanca includes both. Compare routes in our 7, 10 and 14 day Morocco itinerary, see what a private tour costs, and read about the drive from Fes to Merzouga. For the Marrakech end of your trip, see what to do in Marrakech.
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