Meknes
Meknes pairs monumental gates and a historic medina with a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis, about half an hour north.
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Meknes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, in the north-central Fez-Meknes region. Sultan Moulay Ismail made it his capital and built a palace complex, fortifications and monumental gates. Bab Mansour overlooks Place el-Hedim, where storytellers, acrobats and musicians perform in the evening. In the old medina, the Bou Inania Madrasa is known for its rich decoration. Dar el-Kebira, once the sultan’s private palace complex, is now partly a residential neighbourhood, with ruined walls visible among the houses.
South of the medina, Heri as-Swani’s 22 rows of monumental arches once held grain; the building is often mistakenly called royal stables. The nearby Sahrij, or Agdal Basin, is an artificial water basin. Other sites include the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, which remains a religious site but is open to tourists, and the Dar Jamaï Museum, housed in an 1882 palace. You can also visit the Roman ruins of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about half an hour north, and nearby Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Meknes has hot summers from June to September; winter highs reach about 15.5 °C in December and January.
Meknes in five
- Walk El Hedime Square to Bab MansourThe tourist board calls Bab Mansour a masterpiece of Hispano-Moorish art and the gateway to the medina. Start on the square, then follow the ramparts toward the royal stables and granaries.
- Visit Dar Jamai on any day but TuesdayThe museums foundation lists the Dar Jamai palace museum on Place El-Hdim as open 10:00 to 18:00 and closed Tuesdays, with adults at 30 DH. Check the page for current exhibitions.
- Add Volubilis as its own half dayUNESCO describes a 42-hectare Roman city at the foot of Jebel Zerhoun, inscribed in 1997. Go by car or taxi, and combine it with the shrine town nearby.Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
- Use the ramparts and nine gates as your mapUNESCO notes ramparts up to 15 meters high pierced by nine monumental gates. They make an easy way to orient yourself in a city that spreads across two walled ensembles.
- Choose a medina guide with an official badgeThe UK government says people posing as official guides harass tourists in historic districts and advises using a guide with an official badge and local-authority permission.
Things to do in Meknes
See all attractions in Meknes
Need to know
- Airport
- Fes (FEZ) or Rabat-Salé (RBA); Casablanca (CMN) for long-haul
- Getting there
- Train on the Rabat to Fes line; Fes is 63 km by road, about 1 hr 11 min
- Getting around
- Walking in the medina; taxis between the old and new towns
- Best base
- A riad in the old medina, or the Ville Nouvelle near the station
- Time needed
- 1 day for the city; 2 with Volubilis
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Cool, rainJanuaryClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Cool, rainFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
- MarchPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 97 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low11°Mild, goodAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, good
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Warm, goodMayClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, good
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°HotJuneClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh36°Low20°HotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh36°Low21°HotAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low18°Warm, easySeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Warm, goodOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, good
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°CoolNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Cool, rainDecemberClear
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, rain
Average daily high and low in Meknes, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Meknes
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 21°
- Humidity
- 63%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 18%
Meknes
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°15°18%Monday: Rain. High 27°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Tue20°16°45%Tuesday: Rain. High 20°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed19°14°85%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 85%.
- Thu22°15°33%Thursday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri25°14°3%Friday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Sat25°16°7%Saturday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 7%.
- Sun28°19°25%Sunday: Rain. High 28°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 25%.
Updated 06:13 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 9.842 MAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- May–JunWorld Sacred Music FestivalFes, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Volubilisa short drive northThe largest Roman site in Morocco by the tourist board's description, with mosaics and a triumphal arch.Read the guide
- Fesabout 1 hour 10 minutes by roadThe great medina, 63 km east by the tourist board's figures.Read the guide
- Ifrane and the Middle Atlasabout 1 hour by roadCedar forest, lakes and cool air, 64 km south.Read the guide
Before you go to Meknes
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Rules for Meknes, checked
- Dar Jamai museum, Place El-Hdim: open 10:00 to 18:00, closed Tuesday; adults 30 DH, children over 10 20 DH.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Meknes medina guides: use one with an official badge and local-authority permission; the FCDO says people posing as guides harass tourists.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Meknes
The hillside shrine town beside Volubilis
Read the guideMiddle AtlasIfrane and the cedar forests, an hour away
Read the guideRabat travel guideThe capital, on the same rail line
Read the guideFes travel guideThe great medina, 63 km to the east
Read the guideAll of MoroccoCities, desert, coast and entry basics
Read the guideGetting around MoroccoRail, coach and rental options
Read the guideCentral MoroccoMeknes, Fes, Ifrane and Midelt as one corridor
Read the guideMeknes FAQ
Is Meknes worth visiting?
Yes if you want an imperial city with a slower pace than Fes, and you like gates, ramparts and royal stables. UNESCO lists the historic city for its Hispano-Moorish architecture and its 17th-century imperial center.
How many days do you need in Meknes?
One day covers Bab Mansour, the medina, the museum and the royal stables. Add a second day for Volubilis and Moulay Idriss, or base here to see Fes and the Middle Atlas as day trips.
Meknes or Fes: which is better?
Fes is bigger and denser with more to see. Meknes is quieter and easier to handle in a day. With three or more days, do both; with two, choose Fes for a maze medina or Meknes plus Volubilis for history.
How do you get from Fes to Meknes?
The tourist board gives 63 km and about 1 hour 11 minutes by road, and trains on the Rabat to Fes line stop in Meknes. Check the ONCF timetable for your day and book ahead for busy periods.
Can you visit Volubilis from Meknes?
Yes, it is north of the city, near Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Go by car, taxi or a tour, and allow a half day. Check hours and the current entry fee on arrival, as they were not verified for this guide.