Ever heard of Meknes? Many travelers rush past this amazing city on their way to more famous places like Marrakech. But those who skip Meknes miss out on one of Morocco’s best-kept secrets!
Where is Meknes?
Meknes sits in north-central Morocco, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) east of Rabat and just 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Fes. The city is perfectly placed between the Middle Atlas Mountains and fertile plains.
Home to about 580,000 people, Meknes is Morocco’s sixth-largest city. It’s big enough to offer plenty to see but small enough to feel manageable for visitors.
The weather here is nice most of the year. Summers (June-August) get hot with temperatures around 86°F (30°C), while winters stay mild at about 50-65°F (10-18°C). Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the best weather for exploring, with warm days and cool nights.
Why Meknes is Special:
Meknes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, along with Fes, Marrakech, and Rabat. Each of these cities served as the country’s capital at different times.
What makes Meknes stand out is its connection to Sultan Moulay Ismail, who ruled Morocco from 1672 to 1727. He chose Meknes as his capital and spent 50 years transforming it into a spectacular royal city. He wanted to build a place that would rival Versailles in France!
In 1996, UNESCO named the historic center of Meknes a World Heritage Site. This means it’s recognized as one of the world’s most important cultural places. Despite this honor, Meknes sees far fewer tourists than other Moroccan cities.
This lack of crowds gives Meknes a special feeling. You can explore amazing historical sites without being pushed along by tour groups. You can shop in markets where sellers aren’t desperate for tourist dollars. And you can take photos without waiting for crowds to clear.
Sultan Moulay Ismail’s vision lives on in the city’s massive walls, gorgeous gates, and grand buildings. He used thousands of workers and slaves to build over 25 miles (40 km) of walls around Meknes. Many of these impressive structures still stand today.
For travelers who want to see the real Morocco beyond the usual tourist spots, Meknes offers the perfect mix of royal grandeur, living history, and authentic daily life. The city feels like a place where regular Moroccans live and work, not just a museum for tourists.
Whether you have just one day to visit or can stay longer, Meknes will show you a side of Morocco that many visitors never see. And the best part? You’ll feel like you’ve discovered a secret that not everyone knows about yet!
Meknes Historical Significance
After making Meknes his capital in the 1670s, Sultan Moulay Ismail began changing the city in big ways. As part of the Alaouite dynasty (Morocco’s current royal family), he had special plans for his chosen city.
Unlike other Moroccan cities that grew naturally over centuries, Meknes was transformed through one man’s clear vision. Moulay Ismail wanted Meknes to show Morocco’s growing power during a time when the country was becoming stronger and pushing European forces from its shores.
The sultan had seen images of King Louis XIV’s Palace of Versailles in France. Inspired by this European showpiece, he decided Morocco needed its own impressive royal city. He started massive building projects using both skilled craftsmen and forced labor.
His ambitious plan included not just palaces but also:
- A huge royal district with gardens and fountains
- Massive grain storage facilities
- Innovative military buildings
- Religious schools and mosques
These buildings mixed traditional Moroccan styles with ideas borrowed from European and Islamic architecture. This blend created a unique look that set Meknes apart from other imperial cities of its time.
Through his 55-year rule, Moulay Ismail’s ambitious building program transformed Meknes into a symbol of Moroccan power and creativity. This imperial legacy still defines the city today, making it a living museum of a crucial time in Morocco’s history.
7 Must-See Places in Meknes
After learning about Meknes’ history, it’s time to explore the city’s amazing sights. Here are the top spots you shouldn’t miss:
Bab Mansour Gate
This grand entrance is Meknes’ most famous sight. Built in 1732, many people call it the most beautiful gate in North Africa. It’s covered with detailed tile patterns in green and white. The gate uses marble columns that were taken from the Roman ruins nearby. Though you can’t go through the main arch today, a smaller side entrance lets you pass through the walls.
Place el-Hedim
This big square sits right in front of Bab Mansour. Think of it as Meknes’ living room, where locals and visitors mix. During the day, you’ll find small markets and street performers. At night, food sellers set up stalls with tasty local dishes. It’s the perfect place to sit at a café and watch city life happen.
Dar El Makhzen Palace
This was Sultan Moulay Ismail’s massive royal home. While much of it is closed to visitors, you can still see parts of this huge complex that once had 50 different buildings including living spaces, gardens, and more.
Heri es-Souani (Royal Granaries)
These huge storage buildings were built to hold enough food for the whole city during hard times. The clever design included underground water channels to keep the grain cool. Nearby are the massive royal stables that once housed 12,000 horses.
Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
This beautiful tomb of the sultan is one of the few religious places in Morocco that non-Muslims can visit. Inside, you’ll find stunning tile work, carved plaster, and peaceful courtyards.
The Medina
Meknes’ old walled city is easier to explore than those in Fes or Marrakech. Here you’ll find traditional markets selling spices, crafts, and daily goods. Don’t miss the old religious schools with their beautiful woodwork.
Prison of Kara
This underground prison held thousands of workers and slaves who built the city. The massive rooms carved from stone tell a darker side of Meknes’ grand history.
Each of these places shows a different side of Meknes’ rich story, from royal grandeur to everyday life.
3 Amazing Day Trips From Meknes
While Meknes itself has plenty to see, the area around it is full of treasures too! Here are three fantastic day trips you can take from the city:
Volubilis:
Just 30 kilometers (about a 30-minute drive) north of Meknes lies Volubilis – the best-preserved Roman ruins in all of Morocco. This ancient city dates back to around 40 CE and once was home to about 20,000 people.
What makes Volubilis special is how much of it is still standing. You can see:
- Beautiful floor mosaics showing Roman gods and daily life
- Tall marble columns lining the main streets
- The triumphal arch of Caracalla
- Houses where wealthy Romans lived
- Ancient olive presses showing how they made olive oil
UNESCO protects this site because it’s so important to history. When you walk on the old Roman streets, you can actually see the marks where chariot wheels wore down the stones!
The site is open and spread out, giving you amazing views of the surrounding countryside. Morning or late afternoon visits are best for good light and cooler temperatures.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun:
You can actually see this small white city from Volubilis – it sits on a hill just 5 kilometers away. Moulay Idriss is named after Morocco’s most important saint, who brought Islam to the country and started the first Moroccan dynasty.
For centuries, non-Muslims couldn’t stay overnight in this sacred town. That rule changed in 2005, but the city still keeps its special religious feeling.
The town is built on two hills, giving it a unique shape that looks like a sitting camel. Walking through its narrow streets gives you a glimpse of Moroccan religious life that most tourists never see.
Combine this visit with Volubilis for a perfect day trip from Meknes.
Azrou Cedar Forest:
For something completely different, head about an hour south of Meknes to the Middle Atlas Mountains. Here, you’ll find beautiful cedar forests around the Berber town of Azrou.
The star attraction is the wild Barbary macaques (monkeys) that live in these forests. These friendly animals are used to visitors and often come close to see if you have any treats. They’re the only monkeys that live wild in North Africa!
Beyond the monkeys, the forest offers:
- Cool, fresh mountain air
- Beautiful hiking trails
- Views of traditional Berber villages
- A totally different landscape from the city
This trip is perfect if you want to see Morocco’s natural beauty and escape the city for a day.
All these day trips are easy to do from Meknes, letting you see more of Morocco’s amazing diversity without changing hotels. Our drivers know the best routes and times to visit each place, making your day trips smooth and enjoyable.
Conclusion:
Meknes delivers an authentic Morocco experience that balances imperial heritage with genuine daily life, offering travelers a refreshing alternative to more tourist-heavy destinations.
Its unique combination of UNESCO monuments, thriving craft traditions, and warm hospitality creates memories that linger long after departure. Ready to discover Morocco’s best-kept secret?