What to Do in Meknes? Imperial City and Bab Mansour (2026)

What to Do in Meknes: Imperial City, Bab Mansour and Volubilis

An hour's drive from Fes, Meknes remains the least-visited of Morocco's four imperial cities — which is exactly what makes it such a pleasure to explore. Built on a monumental scale by Sultan Moulay Ismail, it still holds the towering Bab Mansour gate, vast royal granaries and a UNESCO-listed medina without the crowds of Fes or Marrakech. Many travelers pair it with the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis in a single day.

1. Moulay Ismail's imperial monuments

Bab Mansour, the sultan's gate

Finished in 1732 by Moulay Ismail's son, Bab Mansour is considered one of the most beautiful monumental gates in North Africa. Its massive bronze doors are framed by polychrome zellige tilework and marble columns — some salvaged from the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis. It's the city's unmissable landmark, on the edge of El Hedim square.

Heri es-Souani, the royal granaries

A short walk away, Heri es-Souani gathers the former royal granaries and stables that Moulay Ismail built to store grain and feed thousands of horses. Its vast vaulted rooms and underground storage system, designed to stay cool year-round, are now partly in ruins but remain atmospheric and highly photogenic.

The mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

The sultan's own tomb sits within courtyards decorated with zellige and carved cedar wood. It's one of the few religious sites in Morocco where non-Muslims are allowed to enter (partially, in certain courtyards) — an exception that makes the visit all the more worthwhile.

2. Meknes's medina: UNESCO heritage without the crowds

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, the medina of Meknes is often described as the best-preserved and least touristy of Morocco's great imperial medinas. Smaller and quieter than those of Fes or Marrakech, it lets you wander its souks — leather, textiles, spices — without the sales pressure or crowds of the bigger cities. It's an excellent option for travelers who've already seen Fes and want something calmer and more authentic.

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3. Meknes and Volubilis: the classic day trip from Fes

Meknes sits roughly an hour by road (or train) from Fes, making it one of the easiest day trips to organize from the imperial city. Most travelers continue on to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, about 30 minutes further by road, combining both sites in a single day: morning in Meknes (Bab Mansour, Heri es-Souani, the medina), lunch, then an afternoon among the mosaics and columns of the ancient Roman city.

The Meknes region is also known for its vineyards and olive groves: it's one of the few areas of Morocco with real wine production, a legacy of the French colonial era — a detail that often surprises travelers in a majority-Muslim country.

To extend your stay in the region, see our guide to what to do in Fes or our Ifrane and Azrou guide for another Middle Atlas day trip, a world away from the imperial monuments.

FAQ — What to Do in Meknes

Bottom line

Meknes deserves far more than a quick stop on the way to Volubilis: it's a full imperial city in its own right, with one of Morocco's most beautiful gates, spectacular royal granaries and a UNESCO medina spared the crowds.

Our 3 key tips:

1. Give Moulay Ismail's monuments at least half a day before rushing on to Volubilis.
2. Combine Meknes and Volubilis in a single day trip from Fes (about 1 hour plus 30 minutes further).
3. Enjoy Meknes's calmer medina for a more authentic souk experience than Fes or Marrakech.