Things to Do in Meknes
10 Best Things to Do in Meknes — Morocco's Imperial City Unleashed
Looking for things to do in Meknes? Explore 10 unforgettable experiences in Morocco's most underrated city. Your ultimate travel guide.Introduction
Morocco is a country that never stops surprising you — and nowhere is that more true than in Meknes.
Often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbour Fez or the global fame of Marrakech, this imperial city has quietly preserved something rare: an authenticity that feels unperformed, unhurried, and deeply Moroccan.
But make no mistake — Meknes is not a city without drama. Its gates are colossal, its palaces are haunting, and its medina is gloriously, beautifully alive.
If you're wondering what the best things to do in Meknes are, you've come to the right place.
Whether you have a single afternoon or a full weekend, this guide will walk you through the ten experiences that define this extraordinary city — from ancient Roman ruins and royal granaries to smoky souks and legendary street food.
Meknes is ready for you. Let's go.
1. Stand in Awe Before Bab Mansour — The Most Beautiful Gate in Morocco
No list of things to do in Meknes could begin anywhere else. Bab Mansour is, by almost universal agreement, the most magnificent city gate in all of Morocco — and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture on the African continent.
Built in 1732 under Sultan Moulay Ismail and completed by his son, this monumental triumphal arch soars over the southern edge of Place el-Hedim with extraordinary authority.
Its surface is a masterpiece of geometric zellij tilework, carved stucco arabesques, and green-and-white mosaic — an entire vocabulary of Moroccan craftsmanship compressed into one breathtaking façade.
The gate's name — Mansour — meaning "the victorious" — couldn't be more fitting.
Tip: Visit at golden hour (around 5–6 PM) when the fading light turns the tilework into something molten and otherworldly. The contrast against the deep blue sky is a photographer's dream. Don't forget to also step inside — the gate now houses a small art gallery open to visitors.
2. Wander Place el-Hedim — The Living Heart of Meknes
Just beyond Bab Mansour lies Place el-Hedim — literally "the square of demolition," named after the ruins that once stood here.
Today, it is one of Morocco's most vibrant public squares, and a perfect introduction to the rhythm of daily life in Meknes.
Think of it as Meknes's answer to Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fna — but calmer, more local, and far less curated for tourists.
In the mornings, women in djellabas haggle over vegetables and fresh herbs at the market stalls.
By afternoon, children chase pigeons across the paving stones.
As evening falls, storytellers, street musicians, and food vendors take over, and the square transforms into an open-air theatre of Moroccan life.
Tip: Grab a seat at one of the rooftop cafes overlooking the square — a mint tea in hand and the spectacle below is one of the finest free shows in Morocco.
3. Explore the Meknes Medina — A UNESCO World Heritage Labyrinth
The Meknes Medina, along with the imperial city, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996 — and rightly so.
Unlike Fez's medina, which can feel overwhelming and disorienting, the Meknes medina has a more generous, navigable scale that makes wandering it a pleasure rather than an ordeal.
Lose yourself in the souk el-Attarine (the spice market), where mountains of saffron, cumin, dried rose petals, and ras el-hanout perfume the air.
Browse the kissaria for traditional textiles, babouche slippers, and handwoven carpets.
Duck into a foundouk (ancient merchant inn) and imagine the caravans that once rested there.
Every alley in this medina has something to reveal — a tiled doorway, a hidden courtyard, a craftsman bent over his work in a pool of natural light.
Tip: Hire a local guide for half a day to unlock the medina's stories and hidden corners. Official guides are available at the tourist office near Place el-Hedim — expect to pay around 150–200 MAD for a 2-hour tour. Worth every dirham.
4. Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail — Sacred and Serene
Among all the things to do in Meknes, visiting the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is perhaps the most moving.
This is the resting place of the sultan who transformed Meknes into an imperial capital — a man of towering ambition, legendary cruelty, and undeniable genius who ruled Morocco for 55 years (1672–1727).
The mausoleum is one of the very few religious sites in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors, and stepping inside is a privilege that should be treated with reverence.
The interior is a cascading sequence of beautifully proportioned courtyards, marble fountains, carved plasterwork, and hand-painted wooden ceilings — all leading to the sacred burial chamber where Moulay Ismail lies surrounded by candlelight and devotion.
Tip: Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered — before entering. Women may be offered a wrap at the entrance. Remove your shoes at the inner courtyard. Photography is allowed in the outer areas but not near the tomb itself.
5. Descend into the Heri es-Souani — The Underground City of Grain
One of the most atmospheric things to do in Meknes is exploring the Heri es-Souani — the vast imperial granaries and stables built by Moulay Ismail to sustain his legendary army of 12,000 horses.
What you encounter here is genuinely awe-inspiring: a seemingly endless series of massive vaulted chambers, their stone walls up to 2.5 meters thick (designed to maintain a cool, stable temperature year-round), stretching into shadowy corridors that feel more cathedral than warehouse.
The scale is almost incomprehensible — this single complex was designed to store enough grain to feed the entire imperial court and army for years.
Directly adjacent is the Agdal Basin — a vast royal reservoir that once supplied the palace complex with water and now reflects the sky like a mirror in the late afternoon.
Locals fish here, children play at its edges, and the scene is one of quiet, enduring beauty.
Tip: Combine this visit with the Agdal Basin at sunset — the reflections on the water with the granary walls in the background make for spectacular photographs. Entry to Heri es-Souani is around 10 MAD - $1 USD.
6. Day Trip to Volubilis — Walk Through a Roman Empire
Arguably the most extraordinary of all things to do in Meknes requires leaving the city — but only for a few hours.
Just 33 kilometres north of Meknes lie the ruins of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Founded in the 3rd century BC and serving as the capital of the Roman province of Mauretania Tingitana, Volubilis reached its peak between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD.
What survives is extraordinary: monumental triumphal arches, a vast Capitoline Temple, the remains of private villas, public baths, and — most remarkably.
An astonishing collection of in-situ mosaic floors that have survived nearly two millennia with their colours and detail largely intact.
The Orpheus Mosaic alone is worth the journey.
Tip: Go early in the morning (ideally by 8 AM) before the heat and tour buses arrive. Hire a guide at the entrance for context that transforms ruins into stories. Combine the trip with a stop at the charming town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun — Morocco's holiest city — just 4 km from Volubilis.
7. Get Lost in the Dar Jamai Palace Museum
The Dar Jamai Museum, housed in a stunning 19th-century palace at the northern edge of Place el-Hedim, is one of the finest regional museums in Morocco — and one of the most undervisited.
Built in 1882 as the private residence of the powerful Jamai family (viziers to the sultan), the palace itself is a masterpiece of Moroccan domestic architecture:
Intricate carved stucco, painted cedar ceilings, mosaic courtyards, and a lush Andalusian garden that feels like a whispered secret in the middle of the city.
Inside, the museum houses an exceptional collection of Moroccan arts and crafts — embroidered textiles, painted woodwork, traditional jewelry, ceramics, and musical instruments.
All presented in rooms furnished as they would have been during the palace's heyday.
It offers a rare and intimate window into the refined world of 19th-century Moroccan elite life.
Tip: Don't rush through the garden. Sit for a moment on the fountain's edge and let the peace of the place wash over you — it's one of the most calming spots in all of Meknes. Entry is around 10 MAD - $1 USD.
8. Taste Your Way Through the Food Souks & Street Stalls
Any honest list of things to do in Meknes must include eating — and eating seriously.
The city's culinary scene is rooted in the agricultural abundance of its surrounding region, and the results are exceptional.
Start your edible adventure in the medina's covered food market, where freshly baked khobz (round bread) comes straight from communal wood-fired ovens, whole mechoui (slow-roasted lamb) glistens on spits, and vendors ladle steaming bowls of harira for a few dirhams.
Don't leave without trying a bissara (warm fava bean soup drizzled with olive oil and cumin) — the ultimate Moroccan morning street food.
On Fridays, follow the scent of couscous wafting from homes and small restaurants — this is the day every Moroccan family gathers around the communal dish, and some restaurants serve it exclusively on Fridays in authentic, home-style portions.
In the evening, seek out a tagine of lamb with prunes and toasted almonds — a Meknes staple that perfectly balances the city's sweet and savoury soul.
Tip: For the best street food experience, head to the food stalls around Place el-Hedim after 6 PM. Pull up a plastic stool, order whatever the locals are having, and eat like a king for under 30 MAD - $3 USD.
9. Shop the Souks — Artisanal Treasures of Meknes
Shopping in the Meknes souks is one of those things to do in Meknes that inevitably takes longer than planned — and you'll be glad it did.
The city has a long tradition of exceptional craftsmanship, and its souks are a living showcase of Moroccan artisanal heritage.
Look out for:
- Marquetry woodwork — Meknes craftsmen are celebrated for their intricate geometric inlay work in cedar and thuya wood.
- Wrought iron lanterns and furniture — The city has a thriving ironwork tradition producing beautiful lamps, mirrors, and decorative pieces.
- Handwoven carpets and kilims — Rich in geometric patterns and earthy tones drawn from the Middle Atlas Berber tradition.
- Leather babouche slippers — In every color imaginable, hand-stitched and supple.
- Oud (argan & olive) products — Soaps, oils, and beauty products made from the region's legendary harvests.
Tip: Bargaining is expected and part of the culture — start at roughly 40–50% of the first asking price and negotiate cheerfully from there. Never begin bargaining on something you don't genuinely intend to buy. And always end with a handshake and a smile — the relationship matters as much as the price.
10. Sip Tea on a Rooftop as the Medina Falls Asleep
The tenth and perhaps most important of all things to do in Meknes costs almost nothing — and stays with you forever.
As the afternoon heat softens into a warm, amber evening, climb to one of the medina's rooftop terraces and order a pot of sweet Moroccan mint tea.
Watch the city shift from the frantic energy of the souk day to the quiet poetry of the evening call to prayer.
Storks glide over the ancient ramparts. The sky turns from gold to violet.
The medina's thousand chimneys exhale the last of the day's bread and tagine.
This is Meknes at its most honest — not a performance, not a postcard, but a living, breathing city that has been doing this for a thousand years and will keep doing it long after you've gone home.
Best rooftop spots: Cafe Rif and the terrace at Riad Meknes both offer stunning views over the medina roofline. A pot of tea costs around 15–20 MAD. The memory? Priceless.
Final Thoughts — Meknes Is Worth Your Time
The best things to do in Meknes share a common thread: they all reveal a city that is magnificent without being showy, historic without being stagnant, and welcoming without being performative.
Meknes doesn't need to compete with Fez or Marrakech — it exists on its own terms, at its own pace, and it rewards every traveller who is curious enough to look beyond the obvious.
Plan at least two full days in Meknes to do it justice — one for the imperial monuments and medina, and one for Volubilis and the slower pleasures of rooftop teas and souk wandering. You will leave wanting more.
👉 Have you already explored Meknes? Which of these experiences was your favourite? Drop a comment below — we'd love to hear your story. And if this guide helped you plan your trip, share it with a fellow Morocco lover!
Maghrebista
I'm a Moroccan travel blogger with a deep passion for discovering the hidden beauty of my country. From majestic landscapes and traditional villages to cultural heritage and authentic cuisine, I love exploring places that many overlook. My goal is to shine a light on Morocco’s lesser-known wonders and share their unique stories with the world. Through Maghrebista, I aim to introduce you to the real Morocco—its rich traditions, vibrant culture, and the timeless charm of its people and crafts. Whether you're curious about travel, history, or Moroccan lifestyle, this blog is your guide to uncovering the soul of the Maghreb.
