Stand in front of Bab Mansour and the scale of Moulay Ismail's building programme becomes clear: a gate tall enough to dwarf the traffic passing it, faced in mosaic tile, with Lahdim Square opening directly behind. Meknes rewards travellers who prefer a slower, less crowded imperial city to its neighbours, and most of the monuments tied to Ismail's reign sit within a walk of one another.
This guide suits anyone spending a day or two in the city, whether you are breaking a journey between Fes and Rabat or basing yourself here to see Volubilis and Moulay Idriss. It covers the sights and experiences named in the source material, with practical notes on timing, entry and what to combine.
Top things to do in Meknes
1. Bab Mansour
Bab means "gate" or "door" in Arabic, and Bab Mansour is the largest and most striking of Meknes' many gates. It stands directly across from Lahdim Square, the medina's main square, and is nowadays used for art exhibitions. It has been nicely restored in the mid-2020s.
Come here first to orient yourself, then walk straight into the square opposite. The gate is the natural starting point for anything else in the medina.
2. Lahdim Square
Redone with new brickwork, this square once rivalled Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech but is now significantly less exciting. There are a few nice cafés and snack spots in which to people-watch.
Pair it with Bab Mansour, which faces it, and with the Dar Jamai Museum at the back of the square. Allow time to sit rather than rush through.
3. Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
The mausoleum sits 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 later expanded multiple times. Admission is free.
It is open daily 09:00–18:30, except on Friday, when it turns into a mosque. Plan your visit around that closure.
4. Heri es-Souani
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. The site is under reconstruction work, with no entry unless you manage to bribe a worker to give you a tour.
Treat this as a viewing stop rather than a guaranteed interior visit, and combine it with the Agdal Basin, which lies northwest of the granaries.
5. Agdal Basin (Bassin Souani)
The basin was built at the time of Ismail Moulay in the imperial city, northwest of the granaries. It is the calm counterpart to the ruined structures around it.
Visit it in the same outing as Heri es-Souani, since the two sit together and the basin is the easier of the pair to enjoy while reconstruction continues.
6. Medersa Bou Inania
A beautiful Qur'anic school where you can explore all floors, including the roof. Entry is 60 dirham.
The roof is the reason to come, so leave time for the upper levels rather than just the courtyard. It sits near the Grand Mosque in the medina, making it easy to fold into a walk through the old city.
7. Dar Jamai Museum
This old palace, now a museum, is at the back of Place Hedim. It houses a very nicely designed local heritage museum, mainly about music, with many instruments on exhibition. It is open Wednesday to Monday, 10:00–17:30, and entry is 30 dirham.
Because it closes on Tuesdays, check the day before building it into your plan. Its position at the back of the square makes it an easy add-on to Bab Mansour and Lahdim Square.
8. Meknes Royal Golf Course
The former palace gardens, now converted into a golf course, are beautifully kept and entirely surrounded by palace walls. It is open to the public, and there is a public café on the grounds.
It is possible to eat on the terrace overlooking the course, but you need to book in advance. This is a good slower-paced stop if you want a break from monuments.
9. Palais Al-Mansour
A half-destroyed palace built in the 17th century to be the king's summer residence. What remains is the shell and setting rather than furnished rooms.
Visit for the sense of scale of the imperial city rather than for displays, and pair it with the nearby gate and square.
10. Meknes Museum
A small museum in an old mansion, about 100 m from Bab Mansour. Entry is 10 dirham.
Its low price and short visit length make it a sensible filler between larger sights, especially if you are already at the gate.
11. Prison Kara (Habs Qara)
A huge underground prison where Moulay Ismail allegedly kept prisoners. Entry is 60 dirham, which the source notes is a little pricey for basically just some empty halls underground.
Go only if the idea of the space itself appeals, and set your expectations accordingly.
12. Borj Belkari Museum
Borj Belkari is an Alaouite bastion built in the 17th century as part of the Ismaili wall created by Sultan Moulay Ismail, and it played an important role in the city's defensive system. It houses a museum of Rif and Pre-Rif pottery, but it has been under construction since 2018.
Check locally before making a special trip, since the museum may not be accessible.
13. Mausoleum of Sidi ben Aïssa
This mausoleum is closed to non-Muslims. Note it as a landmark you will pass rather than a site you can enter.
14. Day trip to Moulay Idriss and Volubilis
Take a Grand Taxi from the Grand Taxi Stand at Rue Talda to Moulay Idriss; the fare should be fixed at 12dh. In Moulay Idriss, head up to the grand terrace, where you get a great view of the city and the mausoleum of Idriss I. Afterwards you can either try to get a taxi to Volubilis or just walk there, about 3.5 km along the road.
Be careful of guides wanting to show you the way up to the terrace, as they expect horrendous tips. This is the strongest half-day or full-day outing from Meknes.
15. Public swimming pool
There is a very popular public swimming pool between the medina and the new city. On a hot day it is a godsend.
Keep it in reserve for the hottest part of an afternoon, when walking the medina walls loses its appeal.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Bab Mansour while the light is on the gate, then cross to Lahdim Square for a coffee and a look at the cafés and snack spots. Walk to the back of the square to Dar Jamai Museum, checking first that it is not Tuesday, when it is closed. Continue to Medersa Bou Inania and explore all floors, including the roof.
Afternoon: Head to the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, remembering that it is open daily 09:00–18:30 except Friday, when it turns into a mosque. Then continue to Heri es-Souani for a glimpse of the granaries and stables, and sit beside the Agdal Basin, which lies northwest of the granaries.
Evening: Return to Lahdim Square for a snack and to people-watch as the square settles. If you still have energy, the Meknes Museum is a short walk from Bab Mansour and costs 10 dirham.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail free to enter?
Yes. Admission is free, and it is open daily 09:00–18:30 except on Friday, when it turns into a mosque.
Can non-Muslims visit the Mausoleum of Sidi ben Aïssa?
No. The Mausoleum of Sidi ben Aïssa is closed to non-Muslims.
What is the best day trip from Meknes?
Moulay Idriss and Volubilis. Take a Grand Taxi from the Grand Taxi Stand at Rue Talda to Moulay Idriss, with the fare fixed at 12dh, then head up to the grand terrace for the view of the city and the mausoleum of Idriss I. From there you can take a taxi to Volubilis or walk the roughly 3.5 km along the road.
Is Heri es-Souani open to visitors?
It is under reconstruction work, with no entry unless you manage to bribe a worker to give you a tour. You can still catch a glimpse of the granaries and stables and sit beside the large Agdal Basin.
Decide your dates, check the Friday closure at the mausoleum and the Tuesday closure at Dar Jamai Museum, and Meknes will fit neatly into a day or two of any Moroccan itinerary.