Is Meknes worth visiting?

Yes, especially combined with Volubilis. Meknes is quieter than Fes, with monumental imperial architecture such as Bab Mansour and the royal granaries, and its medina is easy to explore.

How far is Volubilis from Meknes?

About 30 km, roughly 40 minutes by road. The holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is on the way.

Can you visit Meknes and Volubilis in one day?

Yes. Most travellers see Volubilis in the morning, stop at Moulay Idriss and spend the afternoon in Meknes, or visit both on the way between Fes and Rabat or Chefchaouen.

How far is Meknes from Fes?

About 60 km, around an hour by road and a little less by train.

Is Volubilis a UNESCO site?

Yes. The archaeological site of Volubilis was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997, and the historic city of Meknes in 1996.

Meknes and Volubilis Travel Guide: Things to Do & Tours

Why Visit Meknes and Volubilis

Meknes is the most overlooked of Morocco’s four imperial cities, often rushed as a stop between Fes and Rabat. That is a pity. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, Sultan Moulay Ismail made it his capital and built on a colossal scale: miles of walls, monumental gates, vast granaries and stables, sometimes compared to his contemporary, Versailles.

Just 30 km away lies Volubilis, the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, with mosaic floors still in place and columns standing against the hills. Between the two sits Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, one of the country’s holiest towns.

Together they make an easy, rewarding day between Fes and Rabat or Chefchaouen.

Bab Mansour

One of the grandest gateways in Morocco, finished in the 1730s and covered with green and white zellige and carved stucco. It faces the main square of the old city.

2. Place el-Hedim

The big square in front of Bab Mansour, busy with food stalls, musicians and families in the evening, and the entrance to the medina.

3. Heri es-Souani

Moulay Ismail’s royal granaries and stables: huge vaulted halls with thick walls built to keep grain cool, beside a large water basin.

4. Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

The resting place of the sultan, one of the few sacred sites in Morocco traditionally open to non-Muslims. Opening has varied with restoration work, so check before you go.

Volubilis

A Roman city that flourished in the first centuries AD, with the Arch of Caracalla, the basilica and remarkably intact floor mosaics. Allow two hours and bring a hat; there is little shade.

6. Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

A whitewashed holy town on two hills, home to the tomb of Idris I, founder of the first Moroccan dynasty. Climb to a viewpoint above the town for the best views.

Planning Your Time in Meknes

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. Summer can be hot, especially at Volubilis, where there is almost no shade: visit early in the morning. Winters are mild and sometimes rainy. See the best time to visit Morocco.

Getting There & Around

Trains link Meknes with Fes in under an hour and Rabat in about 2 hours. Fes Saïss Airport is about 60 km away. Volubilis and Moulay Idriss are not easy to reach by public transport, so a private driver or a tour is the simplest way to combine them with Meknes in a day.

Local Tips

Start at Volubilis in the morning before the heat, then have lunch in Moulay Idriss or Meknes.
A licensed guide at Volubilis brings the ruins and the mosaics to life.
Visit Place el-Hedim in the early evening, when it is at its liveliest.
Dress modestly in Moulay Idriss, a place of pilgrimage.