Things to do in Meknes 8 best sights & experiences

Why go

Completed in 1732 under Sultan Moulay Abdallah, Bab Mansour is widely considered the most spectacular gateway in all of Morocco, and arguably in the entire Islamic world. Its colossal arch is flanked by thick marble columns salvaged from Volubilis and adorned with exquisite zellige tilework, carved stucco, and Quranic calligraphy in green. The gate served as the formal entrance to the imperial city and remains the defining image of Meknes.

Opening hours

Exterior viewable 24 hours; interior gallery exhibition hours vary

Good to know

Entry: Free (exterior); ~10 MAD for interior exhibitions

Insider tip

Photograph from the centre of Place el-Hedim in the late afternoon when the zellige catches the golden light. The interior occasionally hosts art exhibitions worth checking.

Why go

The resting place of Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672-1727), the fearsome Alaouite ruler who made Meknes his capital and attempted to rival Louis XIV's Versailles. Unusually for a royal tomb, it is open to non-Muslims. The interior is a masterwork of Islamic decoration: intricate zellige, carved cedarwood, painted stucco, and shimmering mirrors. The central chamber, hushed and dimly lit, is deeply moving.

Opening hours

9 AM - 12 PM, 3 PM - 6 PM (may close during prayers)

Good to know

Entry: Free (donations welcomed)

Insider tip

Dress modestly. Remove shoes before entering the mausoleum proper. Photography is sometimes permitted in the outer courtyards but not at the tomb itself. Visit in the morning for the most peaceful experience.

Why go

Perhaps the most extraordinary ruin in Meknes, Heri es-Souani was Moulay Ismail's vast system of granaries and stables, reputedly built to house 12,000 horses. The massive stone vaults, once cooled by an ingenious underground water channel system, extend in cathedral-like rows for hundreds of metres. The roof collapsed in the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, leaving a dramatic forest of broken arches open to the sky.

Opening hours

9 AM - 6 PM daily

Good to know

Entry: ~70 MAD

Insider tip

The long, roofless nave of the stables is the most photogenic section. Early morning or late afternoon light streaming through the broken arches creates extraordinary effects. Allow at least 45 minutes.

Why go

Laid out by Moulay Ismail as the forecourt to his imperial city, Place el-Hedim ("Square of Demolition") takes its name from the buildings torn down to create it. Today it is the social nexus of Meknes: children play football, vendors sell fruit and roasted nuts, and cafe terraces offer front-row seats to the evening promenade. The monumental backdrop of Bab Mansour transforms the simple square into something genuinely grand.

Opening hours

Open at all times

Good to know

Entry: Free

Insider tip

Come at dusk when the square fills with locals and the cafes glow with warm light. The food stalls on the eastern edge serve excellent brochettes and freshly squeezed juice.

Why go

Housed in a magnificent 19th-century palace built by the Jamai family of grand viziers, this museum displays a superb collection of Moroccan decorative arts: Meknes embroidery, zellige panels, painted woodwork, Berber jewellery, ceramics, and traditional costumes. The Andalusian-style garden courtyard, shaded by orange trees and jasmine, is one of the loveliest in the region.

Opening hours

9 AM - 5 PM (closed Tuesdays)

Good to know

Entry: ~20 MAD

Insider tip

The palace itself is as compelling as the collection. Don't miss the upstairs salons with their original painted ceilings. The garden is a perfect spot for a quiet moment between sightseeing.

Why go

This 14th-century Marinid theological school, smaller than its namesake in Fes but no less exquisite, features a beautifully proportioned courtyard adorned with carved stucco, zellige tilework, and cedarwood screens. The prayer hall retains its original bronze doors, and the student cells on the upper floor offer rooftop views over the medina.

Opening hours

9 AM - 5 PM daily (may close during prayers)

Good to know

Entry: ~20 MAD

Insider tip

Visit in the morning when sunlight illuminates the courtyard. The rooftop, if accessible, provides wonderful views over the medina and toward the imperial quarter.

Why go

This enormous artificial lake, originally built by Moulay Ismail as both a reservoir and a recreational feature for his court, stretches over four hectares within the imperial precinct. Surrounded by high walls and olive groves, it served as the sultan's private pleasure ground. Today it is a quiet, almost surreal expanse of water that gives a sense of the scale of Ismail's ambitions.

Opening hours

Open at all times

Good to know

Entry: Free

Insider tip

Combine with a visit to the nearby Heri es-Souani. The basin is especially beautiful at sunset when the water reflects the surrounding ramparts.

Why go

The vast grounds south of the imperial city are planted with ancient olive groves, many dating to Moulay Ismail's era. The Royal Golf Course, threading through the orchards, is one of the oldest in Morocco. Even non-golfers can enjoy the peaceful lanes that wind through the trees, offering a green counterpoint to the intensity of the medina.

Opening hours

Grounds open during daylight hours; golf by appointment

Good to know

Entry: Free (walking); green fees vary

Insider tip

An afternoon walk through the olive groves is a perfect palate cleanser between morning sightseeing and an evening in the medina.