Reasons To Visit Meknes – One Of The Most Popular Imperial Cities Of Morocco

Meknes

The rich country of Morocco consists of four imperial cities and while many people tend to visit the more popular Rabat, Marrakech and Fez, you should consider giving Meknes a chance as well. It’s a beautiful city, quieter and laid back than its sister cities, but has its own charm and magic. There are narrow streets waiting for you to take a leisurely stroll and grand, old buildings dating back to the old times when it was the capital of Morocco. The beautiful gates, mosques and extravagant palaces give it a quaint feel and here you will feel like a new age princess who has travelled back in time.

Meknes ‘weather is usually warm and humid. For ideal weather condition, the best time to visit Meknes is from April to July or from September to November. People generally worry about accommodation but there are a lot of choices available in Meknes and pretty much everyone can find a place to stay in their budget. There are inexpensive riads that can cost about $22 a night for a double room. Or you can easily get a 3 star hotel room in about $38. Eating out is inexpensive if you give local dishes a try and say no to high end hotels. The portion sizes in Morocco are huge and can easily feed up to two people. For a basic idea, a Moroccan tajine can cost anywhere from 60 to 100 Dirham with desserts going up to 20 Dirham. Your per day eating costs would roughly come to 300-00 Dirham which is certainly not that high. Places to visit: Moulay Ismail Mausoleum: If you are into intricate designs and architectural genius, you should check out the mausoleum of the great ruler of Morocco. Entering here as a non-Muslim is not a problem, just cover yourself properly and you will be amazed to see the lush interiors and exteriors of the building.

Bab Mansour: This is a big hit with visitors and for good reasons too. The gate was completed in 1732 but it still stands tall with its impressive array of green and white tiles, marble columns and Quranic inscriptions above on the walls.

The Dar Jamai Museum: It is a grand museum consisting of many rooms and alleyways, featuring a vast array of traditional crafts like jewelry, costumes and weapons. Also the whole building was once a palace so you will be amazed to see the beautiful tile work and decorated dome ceiling.

The Souk: A must place to check out is the Souk besides the El Hedim square. Here you will find an array of things you will want to take home, from the spicy herbs and dried fruits to carpets a, rugs and clothing. Make sure to purchase the traditional Moroccan shoe, Bilgha.

Best way to visit Meknes

One of the most popular ways of experiencing this beautiful city is to book a day trip. You will find a lot of tour operators In Fez and make adequate research before selecting one. Prices for the day trip range from $100 and up and will basically cover your city costs plus other expenses like food and transport. A typical day trip takes around seven hours and begins with visiting the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis. Then to the city of Meknes seeing the Bab El Mansour gate and to El Hedim, a square lined with residential buildings and covered Souk. Next you will visit the Muse Dar Jamai Museum and the Nou Inania Medersa (Muslim School) built in the 14th century. You will also see the El Heri –us Souani, the huge granary and the Prison de Kara. Some day trips also include lunch and entrance fees while others do not so make your selection wisely.

Chefchaouen Known as the blue pearl of Morocco, this ancient city is a site to behold. Located in the northwest of the country, this city is famous all over the world for its blue washed wall. The city is gorgeous and you will find yourself lost in the city colored in so many shades of blue. The backdrop of mountains, relaxed atmosphere and cool waterfalls all make up for this beauty to be visited at least once in your lifetime. As Chefchaouen is situated on the mountain, it generally has a good climate around spring to autumn. People planning their trip to Morocco should try to visit in the months of March to May and then again in September to November. Usually people do not spend nights over here, preferring to do the one day tour from Fez but if you are planning to stay for more days you will easily find hostels and hotels in your budget. However note that if you are trying to cut back on costs, places outside the medina will be much cheaper. There are a variety of eating options available and people usually gather at the Plaza Al Hammam where a variety of street food is available. Also do not forget to try the traditional mint tea and freshly baked bread sold at most corners of the city. Places to visit: Kasbah Museum For people interested in history, this ethnographic museum is a must to visit as it contains some fascinating photos of old Chefchaouen.

Also many exhibitions are held here promoting the work of local artists. The museum itself is in a walled fortress, so you can also enjoy the views of the medina from the Kasbah tower. Plaza Uta El Hammam You will find a fantastic fusion of Spanish and Arabic in this city square. It boasts of a mix of both traditional and modern restaurants plus amazing street food so if you need a place to relax and wind down, head over to Plaza Uta El Hammam and enjoy the majestic mountains which overlook the city. Grand Mosque Unfortunately the Mosque is only accessible to Muslims but you can definitely admire it from outside and it’s a sight to see. It has a unique octagonal minaret and the architecture dates back to 15th century. Ras el Ma The main waterfall of Chefchaouen which trickles into town, it is a popular place for locals to meet and for you to relax and escape the heat.

Best way to visit

Many tour operators in Fez offer a 2, 4 or even 8 days tour of the city but if you are short on time or money, you can select one day tour of this beautiful city from Fez and still enjoy all the grandeur this city has to offer. Prices of the tour start from $100 and the trip begins early in the morning. You reach Chefchaouen in around four hours you get around 5- 6 hours to explore the city at your leisure. There are tour guides who will take you to visit the Grand mosque and the Kasbah Square. Then you can go to Uta El Hammam where you can find delicious food to eat. You can also visit the Ras el Maa waterfall for the dose of fresh air. You will still have enough time to buy customary products and souvenirs.

Tips for a better travel experience

Here are some general tips for you to consider when you are travelling in Morocco whether it’s in Meknes or Chefchaouen. First is to bargain all you can. Shopkeepers generally quote a very high amount and it’s expected to lower down prices by up to 50%. As Morocco is an Islamic country, it is prudent to wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. You will see a lot of people offering help to you, but try to avoid them as they usually expect payments for their small gestures of help.

Lastly both Meknes and Chefchaouen are small cities so one day trips are a wise move to explore them. This will save you a lot of time and money.