//
City in Fès-Meknès, Morocco
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Meknes (مكناس) is a city in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco. Meknes is a vibrant, modern city bustling with nightlife, restaurants and an impressive imperial city created in the 17th century by King Moulay Ismaïl, with numerous historical monuments and natural sites; it is also the nearest city to the Roman ruins of Volubilis (Oualili).
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Bab means "gate" or "door" in Arabic, and Bab Mansour is the largest and most striking of Meknes' many gates (27 gates). It's directly across from Lahdim Square, the medina's main square. The gate is nowadays used for art exhibitions.
The gate has been nicely restored in the mid-2020s.
Redone with new brickwork, this square once rivaled Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech but is now significantly less exciting (though there are a few nice cafés and snack spots in which to people-watch).
You can catch a glimpse of the grandeur of Moulay Ismail at these enormous granaries and horse stables, and sit beside the large Agdal Basin. It is under reconstruction work: no entry unless you manage to bribe a worker to give you a tour.
The former palace gardens, now converted into a golf course. This place is absolutely marvelous. The gardens are beautifully kept and it is entirely surrounded by palace walls. It is open to the public. There is also a public café on the grounds. It's possible to eat on the terrace overlooking the course but you need to book in advance.
A beautiful Qur'anic school; you can explore all floors including the roof.
The mausoleum is on the southwest side of the former Dar al-Kebira Palace, between the inner and outer perimeter walls of the palace. The complex was first built in 1703 under Moulay Isma'il and then later expanded multiple times. The original complex was less extensive than it is today and it likely included only the tomb chamber, the adjoining rooms on either side of it, and the main courtyard leading up to it.
Habs Qara
A huge underground prison where Moulay Ismail allegedly kept prisoners. A little pricey for basically just some empty halls underground.
Half-destroyed palace built in 17th century to be king's summer residence.
Bassin Souani
Basin built at the time of Ismail Moulay in the imperial city, northwest of the granaries.
Closed to non-Muslims.
Meknes' largest and oldest standing mosque (note: Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter).
This old palace, now a museum, is at the back of Place Hedim. It now houses a very nicely designed local heritage museum, mainly about music with many instruments on exhibition. 30 Dirham.
Small museum in an old mansion.
Borj Belkari is an Alaouite bastion built in the 17th century as a part of the famous Ismaili wall created by Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672-1727), it played an important role in the defensive system of the city. It houses museum of Rif and Pre-Rif pottery. Under construction since 2018..
There is a very popular public swimming pool between the medina and the new city, on a hot day it is a godsend.
مطعم مرحبا
The most popular Meknassi restaurant, offers local menu of Ma'aqouda and Harira.
Open daily until midnight. This chain hotel has a decent French-inspired menu, but the real draw is that they serve alcohol.
Excellent, if slightly experimental, takes on French cuisine. Reliable pizza and alcohol license.
Delicious Moroccan staples, including the must-try pastilla.
One of the only places in Meknes where women will feel comfortable finding a drink, this lively pub has two floors; the bottom is where the music and "scene" happens. Try the local wines; Guerrouane and Amazir are particularly tasty.
This renovated pub is rumored to be owned by Italians, which would explain the lovely wood decor. It's also the only place in Meknes to drink draught beer. Wine is served by the bottle only.
Wedged between the medina and ville nouvelle, just two doors down from the much swankier and well known Hotel Transatlantique. In the new city, it is 1½ km from the closest medina gate; in fact it's not really near anything and you lose whatever you save staying here on a taxi (8 dirham) coming or going. For the same price, Hostel Maroc is better. They do let anyone use the shower for 7 dirham though.
Renovated, the Majestic offers a lovely garden as well as clean and nice rooms overlooking the most busy avenue in Meknes. 180-210 dirham including a simple breakfast. Continue straight ahead when you exit the train station, and the hotel will be on your left hand side after approximately 100 metres. You will see a sign directing to the hotel after less than 50 m. But watch out! Clients have complained about theft in this hotel.
رياض بلدي البوهيمي في أمل وديفيد
Homey guest house with wifi and nuptials. Really close to Lahdim Square and the other Medina attractions.
Economical and good breakfast. Close to Medina attractions.
Guest house in the old Medina with 14 rooms and a beautiful terrace.
Beautiful guest house in the old city (Medina) with 7 rooms.
Guest house in the old Medina with 12 rooms and a beautiful terrace.
A restored old palace/riad in the medina right by a palace wall. Maison d'hotes - restaurant.
A very nice guest house - Bed & Breakfast - restaurant. A traditional restored old palace/riad in the old medina.
The first riad to open in Meknes, its owners, and most of the staff, speak English and are extraordinarily helpful in arranging tours and the like. The roof terrace overlooks Place Hedim and the restaurant is open for non-guests as well.
Open daily. This renovated hotel offers a restaurant, nightclub and English-style bar.
Open daily. A traditional home in the heart of the medina. Great view of El-Hedim square. 600 dirham for large suites with private bathroom (breakfast included).
This beautifully restored riad is on the edge of the medina (overlooks the magnificent "Lahboul Gardens"). Run by an English and Moroccan couple, this family guest house serves delicious home-made food.
A stylish hotel with pool and appealing dining within walking distance of the Medina.
Meknes' most beautiful hotel includes a nightclub, bar, restaurant, conference center, and a gorgeous swimming pool.
By bus
There are buses to Meknès from almost anywhere in Morocco, including Agadir (11 hr; 200-230 dirham), Casablanca (5 hr; 80-90 dirham), Chefchaouen (5½ hrs; 60-80 dirham), Erfoud (10 hr, 100-110…
By grand taxi
Grand taxi arrive and leave from several places, the most popular being El-Amir Abdelkader train station. Opposite the road of the Institute Français is also a quite large taxi rank.
By car
Meknès is on Autoroute 2 (Rabat-Fès), which continues further east on N6 to Oujda.
By taxi
Petit taxis (small blue cars of Fiat Uno or Peugeot 205 brands) abound, as well as an efficient and comprehensive, if cramped local bus service.
By bus
While the bus is slightly cheaper, buses are quite difficult to navigate because they run infrequently, have no actual timetables and are often times very crowded and operate to transport people…
On foot
The ville nouvelle (new town), which is known as Hamrya in Arabic, is easily navigated on foot, as is the medina.) travelers.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Saïss · International · FEZ
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Meknes and Morocco.
ItinerariesPlan an epic 7-day Morocco itinerary for 2026. Explore Marrakech, Fes medinas, and the Erg Chebbi Sahara dunes with transit tips and real costs.
8 min read
ItinerariesFes, Morocco on foot: the car-free alleys of Fes el-Bali, Chouara Tannery, Bou Inania Madrasa, the best riads and the food stalls worth a queue.
8 min read
InspirationWhere to watch the 2 August 2027 total solar eclipse, comparing 6 minutes of totality in Luxor with southern Spain, weather and hotel bookings.
6 min read
Culture & historyOld towns in Africa outlines a list of notable old towns in Africa. Most old towns in North and East Africa have an Arabic (or at least Islamic) heritage, but some have an even earlier history.
Wikivoyage
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.