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Things to Do in Meknes (2026)
Begin your exploration at the heart of Meknes: the Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The grand Bab Mansour gate, with its intricate zellij tilework, is a mβ¦ ποΈ Start at the Imperial City
Begin your exploration at the heart of Meknes: the Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The grand Bab Mansour gate, with its intricate zellij tilework, is a must-see landmark. From there, wander through the sprawling Place el-Hedim square, where locals gather and street performers entertain.
π° Explore the Royal Stables
Visit the Heri es-Souani, the massive granaries and stables built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. These structures once housed up to 12,000 horses and still impress with their soaring arches and cool, dim interiors. Entry costs around 20 dirhams, and it's open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM.
π Visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail is one of the few religious sites in Morocco open to non-Muslims. The serene courtyard and ornate rooms offer a glimpse into the sultan's legacy. It's free to enter, but dress modestly and be prepared to remove your shoes.
πΊ Wander the Old Medina
Meknes' medina is less chaotic than Fez or Marrakech, making it a joy to explore. Get lost in the narrow alleys, browse pottery and leather goods, and stop for mint tea at a local cafe. The Souk el-Kebir is particularly lively in the mornings.
π Taste Local Wines
The Meknes region is Morocco's wine heartland, so don't miss a tasting at a local vineyard. Chateau Roslane, about 20 minutes from the city center, offers tours and tastings starting at 100 dirhams. Book ahead for a guided experience through the vineyards and cellars.
π Day Trip to Volubilis
Just 30 minutes north of Meknes lies Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman ruins in North Africa. You can take a shared taxi from the city for about 50 dirhams per person. The site features stunning mosaics and a hilltop view, and entry costs 70 dirhams.
π Evening at Place el-Hedim
As the sun sets, Place el-Hedim transforms into a vibrant hub with food stalls, storytellers, and musicians. Grab a seat at a rooftop cafe like Cafe Opera for a panoramic view of the square. Try a bowl of harira soup for around 15 dirhams.
π Getting Around Town
Meknes is walkable in the center, but for longer distances, use the petit taxis (small, red cars) which cost around 10-20 dirhams per ride. The city also has a reliable bus network, with tickets at 5 dirhams. For a more local experience, hop on a horse-drawn calèche.
Nice rundown. One thing I'd add is the Dar Jamai Museum, right off Place el-Hedim. It's a former palace turned museum of Moroccan arts, and the building itself with the painted ceilings and carved plaster is worth the 20 dirham entry. Most tourists walk right past it, but it's quiet inside and gives you a real feel for how a wealthy family lived in the 19th century.
Also, if you're at Heri es-Souani, walk around the back to the Agdal Basin. It's a huge artificial lake built to water the sultan's gardens, and locals go there to hang out in the afternoon. No entry fee and you get a nice view of the city walls from the far side.
honestly the best thing i did in meknes was just sitting at a cafe in place el-hedim for like an hour watching the chaos. the orange juice guys with their carts near bab mansour are legit, 4 dirhams for a fresh squeezed one, way better than the tourist spots charge. also if you go to volubilis, bring water and a hat, there's zero shade up there and the walk from the entrance to the main ruins is longer than it looks. the mosaics are incredible though, the one with the dolphin riders is my favorite
the hammam el-bacha pasha is worth a stop if you want something off the main track. it's an old bathhouse near the medina that's mostly abandoned now but you can peek inside through a broken door, the tilework is still gorgeous and it's free. also if you're at place el-hedim around dusk, grab a snail soup from the carts near the mosque, it's like 5 dirhams and way better than the fancy restaurants charge
Best Food in Meknes (2026)
Begin your culinary journey in the heart of the old medina at Place el-Hedime. This bustling square is lined with street food stalls and casual eateries serving local favorites.β¦ π½οΈ Where to Start
Begin your culinary journey in the heart of the old medina at Place el-Hedime. This bustling square is lined with street food stalls and casual eateries serving local favorites. For a sit-down meal, head to Restaurant Riad Yacout at 15 Derb Sidi Ahmed, where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan dishes in a beautiful courtyard setting.
π₯ Must-Try Street Food
Don't miss the bissara (fava bean soup) from the stall near Bab el-Mansour, a hearty and cheap breakfast for just 5 MAD. For a quick lunch, grab a merguez sandwich from the vendors on Avenue Mohammed V, priced around 15 MAD. The grilled sardines at the food stalls near the medina entrance are also a local favorite.
π² Traditional Restaurants
For a classic tagine or couscous, visit Restaurant Dar Zaki at 8 Derb Lalla Aicha, where a full meal costs between 80 and 120 MAD. Another excellent option is Restaurant Ouliya at 10 Derb Sidi Ben Aissa, known for its pastilla and lamb dishes, with mains around 100 MAD. Both are located in the medina and offer a cozy, authentic atmosphere.
π₯ Best Breakfast Spots
Start your day at Cafe Opera on Avenue Hassan II, where a coffee and croissant will set you back about 15 MAD. For a more substantial breakfast, try the msemen (Moroccan pancakes) at Patisserie La Princesse on Rue de la Liberte, served with honey and butter for 10 MAD. Both spots are popular with locals and open from 7 AM.
π¦ Sweet Treats
Indulge in Moroccan pastries at Patisserie El Fassi on Avenue Mohammed V, where a selection of chebakia and ghriba costs around 30 MAD per kilo. For a refreshing break, try the freshly squeezed orange juice from stalls near the medina's main gate, priced at just 5 MAD. The local ice cream at Glacier Ali on Rue de la Marche Verte is also a hit.
π Evening Dining
For dinner, head to the Ville Nouvelle district, where Restaurant Le Meknassi at 12 Rue de la Liberte serves grilled meats and salads for 80 to 150 MAD. Another great option is Restaurant El Hanaa on Avenue des FAR, known for its couscous and brochettes, with mains around 90 MAD. Both are open until 10 PM.
π° Budget Tips
Street food is the cheapest way to eat, with most items under 20 MAD. A full meal at a mid-range restaurant costs between 80 and 150 MAD, while fine dining at a riad can reach 250 MAD. Always confirm prices before ordering, and avoid tourist-heavy spots near major monuments for better value.
πΆ Navigating Food Areas
The medina is best explored on foot, with most food stalls concentrated around Place el-Hedime and Bab el-Mansour. The Ville Nouvelle, along Avenue Mohammed V, has a wider range of restaurants and cafes. Taxis from the medina to the new town cost about 10 MAD, and buses run along the main avenues.
for a real hidden gem, check out the tiny sandwich shop on rue dar sbaa near the souk el kebir. no sign, just a guy with a charcoal grill out front. he makes these kefta sandwiches with a spicy tomato sauce and fresh bread for 7 MAD. it's not on any map and the locals queue up around 1 PM before the lunch rush hits
the guide mentions cafe opera but honestly the best coffee in the ville nouvelle is at cafe de la paix on avenue des far. it's been there since the 1930s and the waiter still brings your order on a silver tray. a cafe creme is 8 MAD and you can sit for hours watching the city go by
one thing i'd add about the medina food scene is to try the snail soup from the cart near the bab mansour entrance around 6 PM. it's called babbouche and the vendor ladles it into bowls with a wooden spoon, 5 MAD. the broth is spiced with cinnamon and anise and it's a real local comfort food thing
The guide is spot on about the bissara near Bab el-Mansour. I'd add that the best time to grab it is just after sunrise around 6:30 AM when it's fresh off the fire and the square is still quiet. The vendor there has been at it for over 20 years and his version is noticeably thicker than others in the medina.
For a dinner alternative in the Ville Nouvelle, I prefer Restaurant Nejma on Rue de la Liberte over Le Meknassi. Their kefta tagine with eggs comes out sizzling in a clay pot and costs about 70 MAD, which is a steal for the portion size. The service is slower but the food is worth the wait.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is the olive vendors on Derb Lalla Aicha near the spice market. You can buy a bag of mixed olives for 10 MAD and they'll let you taste three or four varieties first. It's not a meal but it's a perfect snack while walking through the medina.
I have to give a shout-out to the grilled sardines mentioned in the guide. The stall just inside the medina entrance on Avenue Mohammed V near Bab Mansour el-Alouj gets them right off the charcoal, and you can get a plate of five with bread for about 10 MAD. It's messy eating with your hands but the smoky flavor is far better than what you'd get at a sit-down place.
For a sweet treat that's not on the list, try the shebakia from the woman who sets up a cart on Rue Dar Smen near the souk around 4 PM. She fries them fresh and douses them in honey and sesame, selling them for 2 MAD each. They're still warm when you buy them, which makes a difference from the ones sitting in pastry shop windows all day.
If you're after breakfast, skip Cafe Opera and head to a small spot called Boulangerie Al Amine on Rue de la Marche Verte. Their msemen is made to order and comes with a side of amlou, a spread of argan oil and almonds, for around 8 MAD. It's a more filling start to the day than the croissant option.