Meknes

Written by Sandrine Simon, Sebastien Simon
08/08/2025
Explore the historic beauty of Meknès with these ancient arches, a perfect architectural masterpiece.
Carlo Jünemann, Pexels

Meknes provides a journey into Morocco's imperial past, showcasing grand gates, historic medinas, and ancient ruins, offering a relaxed and authentic cultural experience.

For socializing with other tourists, Place El Hedim, also known as Lahdim Square, serves as the vibrant heart of the city. This lively public space is ideal for people-watching and experiencing local life, especially in the evening. Exploring the medina's winding streets also allows for immersion in the local atmosphere.

Top 6 Things to do in Meknes

Meknes offers a captivating array of historical and cultural experiences, from exploring grand imperial architecture and vibrant local markets to venturing into ancient Roman ruins.

1. Explore the Meknes Medina and Place El Hedim

Wandering through the UNESCO-listed Medina provides an authentic glimpse into local life, with narrow, winding streets leading to various souks. Place El Hedim, the city's lively central square, is ideal for observing daily activities and cultural performances, especially in the evening. It serves as a relaxed counterpart to the more bustling squares in other Moroccan cities.

Cost: Free to explore. Costs for purchases in souks vary.

Transport: The Medina and Place El Hedim are central and best explored on foot. Petit taxis within the city typically cost between 7 to 20 MAD for short distances.

2. Visit Bab Mansour

Bab Mansour, considered one of Morocco's most beautiful and impressive gates, stands as a grand architectural masterpiece. Its intricate details, including zellige tilework, marble columns, and ornate carvings, showcase 18th-century Moroccan and Andalusian design. Visitors can admire its scale and craftsmanship from Place El Hedim.

Cost: Free.

Transport: Located directly on Place El Hedim, it is easily accessible on foot from the city center.

3. Discover the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

This peaceful and spiritual resting place of Sultan Moulay Ismail is one of the few sacred sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims. The complex features grand courtyards and exquisitely decorated rooms with intricate tiling and stucco work. While non-Muslims cannot enter the actual tomb chamber, they can explore the entry hall and surrounding areas, offering a profound insight into Moroccan craftsmanship and history.

Cost: Generally free to access public areas; a guided tour may incur a fee, typically included in broader city tours.

Transport: Within walking distance from Place El Hedim, approximately 20 minutes. Petit taxis are available for around 7 to 20 MAD.

4. Explore Heri es-Souani and Sahrij Swani

Heri es-Souani is a vast historical granary and water storage complex built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Its impressive scale, thick walls, and vaulted ceilings demonstrate advanced engineering for grain preservation. Adjacent to it is Sahrij Swani, a large artificial lake or water basin, which served both utilitarian purposes for the city's water supply and as a leisure area. While often misidentified, the granary offers a fascinating glimpse into imperial-era infrastructure.

Cost: Entrance fee for Heri es-Souani is often included in guided tours. Individual entry cost is typically low (e.g., 10-20 MAD, although exact recent figures were not consistently available for standalone entry).

Transport: Located outside the immediate city center. A petit taxi ride from Meknes city center could cost approximately 60 to 75 MAD. Alternatively, it can be a 20-30 minute drive from the center.

5. Visit the Bou Inania Madrasa

This ancient Quranic school is celebrated for its stunning Merinid architecture, featuring exquisite zellige tiles, fine plasterwork, and carved cedarwood ceilings. The tranquil inner courtyard provides a serene escape, making it a compelling site for those interested in Islamic art and historical education.

Cost: Approximately 60 MAD for foreign visitors.

Transport: Centrally located within the old Medina, it is easily reachable on foot. Petit taxis are available for short distances for around 7 to 20 MAD.

6. Day Trip to Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

A rewarding excursion from Meknes, Volubilis is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring well-preserved ancient Roman ruins, including mosaics, columns, and triumphal arches. Nearby, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is a holy town and pilgrimage site for Muslims, offering panoramic views from its hilltop setting. Visitors can explore the charming town, though access to the mosque and tomb is restricted to Muslims.

Cost: Entrance to Volubilis is approximately 70 MAD. Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is free to explore (excluding restricted areas). Guided tours from Meknes or Fes bundling transport and entry often start from 44 EUR per person.

Transport: Public bus (No. 15) from Meknes to Moulay Idriss costs 7-10 MAD one-way. From Moulay Idriss, Volubilis is a 3-4 km walk. Shared grand taxis from Meknes to Moulay Idriss cost about 10 MAD per seat. A round trip grand taxi for Volubilis and Moulay Idriss can be arranged for approximately 100-500 MAD for the whole taxi, depending on negotiation and duration. Private taxis can cost 220-270 MAD one-way to Volubilis.

Check out our other pages on Meknes

Getting There icon Getting There Restaurants icon Restaurants Bars and Entertainment icon Bars and Entertainment Hotels icon Hotels Budget Stays icon Budget Stays

Discover destinations in Morocco

Atlantic Coast
Central & High Atlas
Northern & Imperial Cities
Southern & Sahara Desert