Meknès
Morocco · Fès-Meknès · 520 m
Description
Meknès (مكناس) is one of Morocco’s four Imperial Cities and an impressive center of imperial history and Moroccan architecture. The city is known for its imposing walls, monumental gates such as Bab Mansour, expansive palace complexes, and historic granaries and royal stables dating from the reign of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Meknès combines the lively atmosphere of its medina with the monumental heritage of a former imperial capital and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, the Roman-era ruins of Volubilis and the pilgrimage town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun rank among northern Morocco’s most significant historic destinations.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – May
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Bab Mansour
- Historic City of Meknes (UNESCO)
- Volubilis archaeological site (UNESCO)(Day trip)
- Place El Hedim
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Heri es-Souani Royal Granaries and Stables
- Bou Inania Madrasa
- Dar Jamai Museum
- Sahrij Swani Basin
- Meknes Medina souks
- Imperial City of Moulay Ismail
- Meknes ramparts
- Bab el-Khemis
- Bab Berdaine
- Bab el-Jadid
- Bab er-Rih
- Bab Berrima
- Bab Jama en-Nouar
- Bab al-Barda'in Mosque
- Grand Mosque of Meknes
- Nejjarine Mosque
- Qara Prison (Habs Qara)
- Dar el-Ma Water House
- Royal Palace of Meknes (Dar al-Makhzen)
- Dar el-Kebira
- Koubat Al Khayatine
- Moulay Ismail royal complex
- Agdal Gardens
- Lahboul Gardens
- Meknes Museum
- Borj Belkari Museum
- Meknes Mellah
- New Mellah
- Meknes Jewish Cemetery
- Place Lalla Aouda
- Meknes Ville Nouvelle
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun(Day trip)
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun historic town(Day trip)
- Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss I(Day trip)
- Moulay Idriss Zerhoun panoramic viewpoint(Day trip)
- Zerhoun Mountains(Day trip)
- Moulay Yacoub hot springs(Day trip)
Getting there
- Train stations:
- Meknès - Al Amir Abdelkader, Meknès مكناس, Ouarzigha