Meknes is one of the country's most beautiful old imperial cities, serving as the capital in the 17th century. Meknes is a wonderful country to visit and its people are warm and friendly. If you are here in this beautiful city, you will enjoy visiting its fascinating historic sites like the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the amazing Bab Mansour, and its lively nightlife. Here are the top things to see and do.
Alleys of Moulay Idriss
The holy city of Moulay Idriss was founded in AD 788. It is named after a saint and the Prophet Muhammed's great-great-grandson, who instituted the first Moroccan state.
The city is built on the rocky spurs of the Khyber and Tazga mounds, about 29 kilometers north of Meknes, with buildings tumbling over the slopes.
This incredible site attracts many people for an annual religious festival in August and timbre their tents all over the town.
You can enjoy wandering through the medina to see its beautiful painted narrow alleys.
Bab al-Mansour
An adorable gigantic structure that connects Meknes' medina and Imperial City districts. It was completed in 1732 by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Surely, it is one of the best models of gateways kept until now without any damage, especially in North Africa.
Needless to say that the gate is closed now but there is a small side gate that you can enter and exit between the medina and the Imperial from it easily.
The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
Moulay Ismail is a renowned Moroccan governor who managed to take the region back from both the British and Spanish. This decorated mausoleum was founded to preserve Sultan Moulay Ismail's tomb and be like its home. The mosque is not open to non-Muslims, however, you can enter the tomb hall itself.
Museum of Moroccan Art (Dar Jamai)
Dar Jamal is a traditionally decorated museum that was constructed in 1882 to be home to the famed Jamai family. Later it has been converted into the Museum of Moroccan Art in 1920.
This museum is a pretty piece of art that you must visit and see a Moroccan reception room from the late 19th century to figure out how the Meknes were living long ago.
The Roman Ruins of Volubilis
The ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis are located about 29 kilometers from Meknes which is the most well-known Roman relic in Morocco. The remaining columns and temple crumbs of Volubilis are attractive and exciting sites. Surely, sitting atop a hill with the countryside rolling out below, is a breathtaking scene. Don't miss it.
