The “city of a hundred minarets”, the brilliant Meknes, seems to exude bliss, leisureliness and self-esteem with every brick of its buildings. One of the three imperial cities of Morocco, it, perhaps more than others, was able to preserve the atmosphere of royal laziness and enjoying every minute of life: inside the forty-kilometer fortress wall of the old city, magnificent gardens are laid out, reflected in the motionless surface of the Agdal pond, and El Gedim square is filled with fortunetellers every evening, jugglers, fire-eaters and snake charmers. And from Meknes, you can easily get to the most significant Roman ruins of the country or play golf in the luxurious gardens of the royal palace. According to populationmonster, Meknes is one of the largest cities in Morocco.
How to get to Meknes
The closest airport to Meknes is in Casablanca. Three times a week, direct flights from Royal Air Maroc depart from Moscow; you can get from other CIS countries with a transfer in Europe.
To get from Casablanca to Meknes, you can use the service of the state transport company: up to six buses leave daily. Travel time – 4 hours, fare – about 10-15 USD. Another option is to take the local grand taxi minibus. The prices are slightly lower and the travel time is the same.
You can also arrive in Meknes by bus or minibus from other cities in Morocco: Fes, Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier.
Prices on the page are for March 2021.
How to navigate in the city
Meknes can be conditionally divided into two “multi-temporal” parts: the medina, or the old city behind the fortress wall, and the new city, called “Hamria”.
Meknes can be conditionally divided into two “multi-temporal” parts: the medina, or the old city behind the fortress wall, and the new city, called “Hamria”.
The parts are separated by a dry bed of the Bufekran River, over which a bridge is thrown over for ease of communication. Historical sights are concentrated in the medina, and Hamriya, on the contrary, is the center of restaurants, cafes, shops and other entertainment. El Gedim Square adjoins one side to the medina, and the other to the Imperial City – the residence of the King of Morocco when Meknes was the capital.
Transport
The Medina of Meknes and the center of the new city can be easily explored on foot. For longer distances, use a taxi service. The cost of the trip starts from 1 USD, be sure to make sure that the driver turns on the meter. After 8 pm the night rate is valid: plus 50%. If you want to immerse yourself in the people, you can take a ride on the Meknes bus. Fares are not much lower than taxis; among the fun bonuses invariably include a crush and some confusion in following the points of the route.
- Meknes Map
Cuisine and restaurants
It is best to have a bite or a hearty lunch in a new city: there are a large number of establishments for every taste and budget. Popular gastronomic arteries include the central Ansirap street (rue Antsirape) – everything is served here, from sandwiches to national cuisine. Restaurants on Ghana Street are tourist-oriented and offer a fixed menu at a price of about 5-7 USD.
Meknes has perhaps the largest concentration of drinking establishments in all of Morocco. Popular spots include the bar at Zaki’s hotel, Le Pub and Novelty (you can drink draft beer here). We also recommend trying local Amazir and Guerrouane wines.
Fresh products, marinades and pickles, olives and spices can be bought at the market at the main gate to the medina – Bab el Mansour.
Shopping and stores
An abundance of souvenirs, local handicrafts and handicrafts of Morocco can be found in the old city. In the narrow streets of the medina, they sell carpets and coinage, national shoes and clothes, kitchen utensils and ceramics, interior items and decorations, from inexpensive costume jewelry to expensive piece items, such as Berber silver. The deeper you go into the old city, the lower the prices will be; in the shops at the very entrance to the medina, it is generally strictly not recommended to buy anything: overpay at least five times. Remember to bargain mercilessly in any case.
Entertainment and attractions of Meknes
The Medina of Meknes and the remains of the Royal Palace have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. To appreciate the full power of the fortress walls, go around the medina, and for a panoramic view of the surroundings, you can climb one of its borjs (military forts).
Pay attention to the pearls of Moroccan religious architecture: the Great Mosque of Meknes with fabulously beautiful carved doors and the Bou Inania Madrassah, located nearby, built in an airy Spanish-Moorish style.
Bab el-Mansour (early 18th century) is considered to be one of the most beautiful gates to the old city.
The Dar Jamai Palace, in itself a magnificent monument of Meknes residential architecture of the Arab-Andalusian style, hosts the Ethnographic Museum under its arches. Explore rich collections of embossing, porcelain and antique jewelry. Another example of the dwellings of wealthy Meknesians is the El Mansour Palace, which today has been turned into a popular tourist shop.
In the heart of the Imperial City, sit silently in front of the frozen surface of the Agdal Pond, which served to irrigate the gardens of the harem and provide coolness on hot summer days. Dar el-Ma, the “house of water” is also located here – cisterns that provide the city with water.
Golf lovers are advised not to miss the rare opportunity to play on the territory of the Royal Palace: Meknes Royal Golf Club is located in the heart of the lush gardens of the Imperial City.
Neighborhood
31 km from Meknes is the largest archaeological park in Morocco – the ruins of the Roman Volubilis. Among the masterpieces of the complex are the Arc de Triomphe, the Capitol and the House of Bacchus (named after the famous mosaic found in one of its premises). Allow at least two hours to visit.
The sacred city of Muley Idriss is located 22 km east of Meknes. Its founder was converting the Berbers to Islam even before the rise of Fez. You can visit the mausoleum of Muley Idriss himself or just wander around the nearby streets with dazzling white houses.
Festivals
At the end of summer, an equestrian festival is held in the Meknes suburb of Tisse, during which Berber fantasy groups perform, national dances, songs and competitions are held.
The day before the religious holiday of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, Meknes hosts the Ben Aissa folk-religious festival, dedicated to the holy founder of one of the Sufi sects – Aissava. You can stare at Sufi trance dances, listen to music, see how piercing and cutting objects are eaten in honor of the saint, and buy trinkets at the fair.
