Meknes

Meknes is Morocco's most underrated imperial city, often overshadowed by Fes and Marrakech but possessing a grandeur all its own. Built by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th century as his answer to Versailles, the city is surrounded by 40 kilometers of massive walls punctuated by monumental gates — none more impressive than Bab Mansour, widely considered the finest gate in all of North Africa. Moulay Ismail's ambitions left an extraordinary architectural legacy. The Royal Stables (Heri es-Souani), designed to house 12,000 horses, feature ingenious underground water channels for cooling. The granary complex beside them stored enough grain to feed the city during siege. The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, one of only three mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, houses the ornate tomb of the sultan himself. The medina of Meknes is more manageable than Fes — less chaotic, easier to navigate, and significantly less touristy. The Hedim square serves as the city's gathering place, surrounded by food stalls and overlooked by the Dar Jamai museum of traditional arts. The mellah (Jewish quarter) contains synagogues and distinctive architecture. Local craftsmen specialize in damascene metalwork — intricate silver wire inlaid into iron. Meknes is also the gateway to Volubilis, Morocco's finest Roman ruins, just 30 kilometers north. This UNESCO World Heritage Site preserves stunning floor mosaics, triumphal arches, and basilica columns from the 3rd century CE. The nearby holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, draped over twin hilltops, is one of Morocco's most sacred pilgrimage sites.