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    Meknès
    Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

    Morocco

    Meknès

    City

    Meknès, 60 kilometres west of Fès, is one of the country's four Imperial Cities. Sultan Moulay Ismail made it his capital from 1672, having colossal gates, palaces, and granaries built.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Morocco
    7. Fès & Meknes
    9. Meknès
    Meknès, 60 kilometres west of Fès, is one of the country's four Imperial Cities. Sultan Moulay Ismail made it his capital from 1672, having colossal gates, palaces, and granaries built. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996; Volubilis and Moulay Idriss are within excursion distance.

    Sights in Meknès

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Bab Mansour
    Historic Landmark

    1Bab Mansour

    The monumental city gate was begun by Sultan Moulay Ismail, and completed in 1732 under his son Moulay Abdallah.
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    Heri es-Souani
    Historic Landmark

    2Heri es-Souani

    The massive granaries and storehouses from the time of Moulay Ismail served to supply the imperial city with grain. Contrary to popular belief, they were not horse stables.
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    Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
    Historic Landmark

    3Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

    Tomb of the Sultan, who made Meknès capital from 1672 and ruled for 55 years. Unlike most religious sites in the country, the mausoleum is also accessible to non-Muslims.
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    Restaurants in Meknès

    1

    Gambrinus

    Traditional restaurant-café in Neustadt, which, according to Lonely Planet, has barely changed since 1914.
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    2

    The Necklace of the Dove

    Restaurant with Moroccan cuisine, dining room and rooftop terrace overlooking the city.
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    3

    Restaurant Marhaba

    A simple, affordable canteen that has been serving everyday Moroccan cuisine since 1983.
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    Culture and History

    The City of Moulay IsmailMoulay Ismail reigned for 55 years and made Meknès the center of his empire. Dating from his time are the city gate Bab Mansour, which his son Moulay Abdallah completed in 1732, the vast granaries Heri es-Souani, and his mausoleum, also open to non-Muslims.World HeritageUNESCO inscribed the historic city of Meknès on the World Heritage List in 1996. A few kilometers north, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun are two other sites you can easily combine as a day trip.

    On the go locally

    Getting ThereTrains connect Meknès with Fès in just over half an hour, as well as with Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier. For Moulay Idriss, buses and Grands Taxis depart from the Bab el Khemis bus station.Getting Around the CityExplore the Medina and Royal City on foot. It's a longer walk to the Heri es-Souani granaries, south of Bab Mansour.For trips between the train station, New Town, and Medina, take a Petit Taxi.

    Accommodations in Meknès

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      • 1Bab Mansour3 days
      • 2Heri es-Souani4 days
      • 3Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail5 days
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    Nearby

    Volubilis & Moulay Idriss

    Volubilis & Moulay Idriss

    The Roman city of Volubilis is located approximately 30 kilometers north of Meknès at the foot of the Zerhoun Massif and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997. A few kilometers away is the pilgrimage site of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, home to the tomb of Idris I., the founder of Morocco's first Islamic dynasty.
    Fès & Meknes

    Fès & Meknes

    The two Imperial Cities in the north of the country are only about 60 kilometres apart. The Medina of Fès has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1981, the Old Town of Meknès since 1996, and between them lie the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
    Fez

    Fez

    Fès is the oldest of Morocco's imperial cities and is considered the spiritual heart of the country. The Medina Fès el-Bali, founded by the Idrisids at the end of the 8th century, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981. Beyond the Bab Boujloud gate, a labyrinth of alleys begins, featuring Quranic schools, tanneries, and artisan quarters.
    Rabat & Atlantic Coast

    Rabat & Atlantic Coast

    On the northern Atlantic coast are the capital Rabat, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2012, and Casablanca, the country's largest city, home to the Hassan II Mosque. Further south lies El Jadida, featuring the Portuguese fortress city of Mazagan.
    Rabat

    Rabat

    Rabat is the capital of Morocco, home to the King and government. The city lies at the mouth of the Bouregreg into the Atlantic and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2012 as an ensemble of a modern capital and historic city. Hassan Tower, Chellah, and the Kasbah of the Oudayas are close by.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
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