Located in Northern Morocco, Meknes is 130 kilometers from the capital of the country, Rabat, and 60 kilometers from Fez. For at time the city, albeit briefly between 1672 and 1727, the city was the capital of Morocco during the reign of Moulay Ismail. Currently, the population is 950,322, getting itsname from the Berber tribe that was known in the area during the Middle Ages as Miknasa.

The city was essentially founded in 117 AD, when it was occupied by the Roman Empire. Following the fall of the empire in the fifth century AD, the Berber tribe settled in the area in the 10^th century, with a town growing up around the old Roman fortress.

Places to See

Like many places throughout Morocco, Meknes offers a wide variety of places to visit and attractions to see.

The Bab Mansour, which means “gate” in Arabic, is one of the largest and most striking gates in Meknes, located across from the Place Hedim.

The Place Hedim is a beautiful square in the city that has recently gone through a restoration. It offers many nice cafes and spots for those who simply like to sit and watch people go by.

The Heri es-Souani allows you to see the grandeur of Moulay Ismail. The structure resides next the large Agdal Basin.

For those who like to goft, there is the Meknes Royal Golf Course, considered one of the best in Morocco. It is typically only for members, but for those with enough money, there is the possibility of playing a round.

The Dar Jamai was an old palace located at the back of the Place Hedim. Currently, it houses the Museum of Moroccan Arts, showing beautiful artifacts, jewels and ancient copies of the Qur’an.

One attraction to see if you visit the city is the Habs Qara, which was a huge underground prison that Moulay Ismail apparently used to keep Christian prisoners.

The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is massive structure that holds the body of Moulay Ismail and his relatives. While non-Muslims are not allowed in, the tombs can be viewed from the entrance.

The largest and oldest mosque in Meknes is the Al masjid AlAdam, however non-Muslims are not allowed entry.

A quick trip outside of the city will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, which is an old Roman site complete with ruins that is worth the visit.

Only 14 kilometers from Meknes lies the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, which was founded by Moulay Idriss II and is now an Islamic holy site, complete with a moussem that is held in the city each year.

Tours

Many different tours are offered in the city and as always you must make sure you take precautions to ensure you are not taken in by a con artist. For the most part the tour guides in the city will give you an absolutely excellent tour, but always check for government certifications when you are thinking of going on a tour with a tour guide. There are many certified tour agencies that will provide you with an excellent experience in the city, including Sahara Soul Travel, so look for them and enjoy a professional tour of an amazing city.

Where to Stay

If you are going to visit Meknes, then there is only one place to stay and that is the luxury Zaki Hotel.

The Zaki Hotel includes the Le Jnan bar, a poolside snack-bar and Le Patio, where guests are able to sit and relax and enjoy an afternoon tea.

The Al Khayma piano bar in the hotel offers karaoke and Asian dance entertainment.

For those who need some relaxation, the hotel offers a fitness room, hammam bath, sauna and a jetted tub. There is also a large swimming pool and laundry facilities.

The hotel consists of 169 guestrooms, all with balconies or terraces, that offer views of the gardens that surround the luxury hotel. The five floors of the hotel are done in a cream colour scheme, with polished floor.

The bed fabrics of all the rooms match the curtains, and each room is furnished with armchairs, writing desks and coffee tables, plus mini bars and satellite television.

There are two places to dine in the hotel. The Le Matignon Restaurant offers international cuisine, in an atmosphere of round wood tables with wood chairs and brass lamps.

The Al Andalous offers traditional cuisine with a Moroccan style décor of white walls, floor and wall prints.

As well, the hotel offers all of its guest a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning.

If you want to go try some physical activities, you can enjoy the swimming pool or ask the hotel staff to arrange you some golfing on the nearby golf courses.

Conclusion

Meknes is an amazing little city that offers the visitor a quieter pace of life compared with the hustle and bustle of nearby Fez. The city offers a great deal of history and culture through its many attractions and marketplaces.

Any traveler who visits the city is going to be in awe of the structures, gates and vast amount of historical significance that the city simply seems to permeate.

Using this city as a jumping off point, many visitors will be able to travel to the larger cities for quick visits to see the attractions, before returning to the city to enjoy the quiet and slow-pace of Meknes.

Never contemplate visiting Morocco without visiting this amazing little city, which offers a quieter version of Fez to the intrepid traveler.