Meknes

One of the four Imperial Cities, the understated city of Meknes is often overlooked by tourists due to the better known attractions of nearby Fez; however, it is a more manageable size, has a genuine medina, boasts a number of grand monuments and lovely gardens dating from the period when it was a capital city, and offers more reasonably priced riads than its neighbour.

The City

Meknes is a fascinating city straddling the river Boufekrane only 40 miles west of Fez; the medina and Imperial City lie on the west bank of the river and the Ville Nouvelle (new town) on the east. Capital of Morocco for a period around 1700, it currently has a population of around 1 million and is a hassle-free city offering visitors many attractions including many structures giving a sense of its grand past: huge tombs, granaries and stables, gardens, lakes, mosques and much more. A range of accommodation in both the medina and the Imperial City is available; prices are lower than similar properties in Fez.

Things to do or see

In the city

• The medina, developed under the reign of Moulay Ismail, when Meknes was the capital of the sultanate.  Today the medina is a central attraction for visitors, with large souks to explore, a central pedestrian square, Place el-Hedim, an atmospheric place to relax and watch Moroccan life, and the stunning Dar Jamai Palace, now housing a museum of art and set in superbly maintained gardens.
• The Imperial City, accessed from the medina by the famous Bab el-Mansour, a grand gateway with beautiful mosaic, houses Moulay Ismail's huge granaries, stables that used to house over 12,000 horses, gardens, lakes and his ornate mausoleum which is open to non-Muslims.

Nearby

• Volubilis, near Moulay Idriss, a UNESCO World Heritage site 25 miles to the north of Meknes. The well preserved Roman ruins of Volubilis are most notable for their mosaics, but also has several buildings of note.
• Moulay Idriss, close to Volubilis, is a pretty town of whitewashed buildings in mountain foothills, and is an important site for Moroccans.  It has recently opened up to other visitors and has an interesting Saturday market.
• Vineyards, which produce good quality wines, have been in the region on and off since Roman times and can be visited with prior arrangement.

Weather

Meknes enjoys a climate similar to Fez though the terrain is much gentler, so its buildings are less exposed to the elements. There is considerable variation over the year. Ground floor or air conditioned rooms are advised in July and August and from November until January be sure to take warm clothes for the evenings.  Although the rooms are heated, many of them are so lofty that it is hard to hear the room fully. April to November are the driest months.

Accommodation Quicklinks

• Ryad Bahia
• Riad Felloussia
• Palais Didi
• Riad Safir