Visiting Meknès: an imperial-city guide, hands free

Meknès rewards you the way an unopened chest does: quietly, but with treasure inside. Once the capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail, the "city of a hundred minarets" lines up massive ramparts, monumental gates and royal granaries built for a seventeenth-century dream of grandeur. An hour from Fès and a stone's throw from the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the imperial city stays surprisingly calm — authentic Morocco, without the crowds. Here's how to enjoy it to the full, hands free. Bab Mansour and Place El Hedim There's no better place to start than in front of Bab Mansour, often called the most beautiful gate in Morocco. Completed in the early eighteenth century, it unfurls green zellij tilework, horseshoe arches and antique marble columns — reclaimed, it's said, from Volubilis. It watches over Place El Hedim, a broad square that beats to the city's rhythm: traders, storytellers and families out for an evening stroll. Grab a terrace at the edge of the square to take in the scale of it, then pass through the gate into the imperial city. The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail A few steps away, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail holds the tomb of the sultan who made Meknès his capital. It's one of the rare shrines in Morocco whose outer courtyards stay open to non-Muslim visitors. You move beneath carved cedar ceilings, chiselled stucco and quiet fountains, in a hushed light that invites silence. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered: this is a revered place. Heri es-Souani: granaries, stables and the Agdal Basin To grasp Moulay Ismail's ambition, head to Heri es-Souani, the vast royal granaries and stables. Under high, regular vaults, the sultan stored grain and provisions for thousands of horses — an ingenious system of wells and channels kept it all cool. Right next door lies the Agdal Basin, a huge reservoir that fed the palace and served as a water reserve in case of siege. At sunset, its mirror-like waters offer one of the finest views in Meknès. The medina and its souks The Medina of Meknès, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a stress-free wander: more compact and less of a maze than Fès, it's easy to get the measure of. Lose yourself among the souks — leather, copper, fabrics, olives and candied fruit —, push on to the Bou Inania Madrasa and its woodwork, and stop for a mint tea on a small square. Prices are gentle and the traders less pushy than elsewhere: the perfect place to bring home a souvenir without haggling for hours. A day trip to Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Zerhoun Meknès is the best base for one of Morocco's finest day trips. Some thirty kilometres away, Volubilis rolls out its UNESCO-listed Roman ruins: triumphal arches, mosaics still in place, columns standing against hills of olive trees. On the way, the holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun clings to the hillside around the tomb of the founder of Morocco's first dynasty. Allow half a day to a full day to combine the two, by private taxi or on an organised tour. Planning your visit: how many days and getting around A full day covers the essentials of the imperial city; two days let you add Volubilis and Moulay Idriss without rushing. The centre is compact: most sites are within walking distance of Place El Hedim, and small taxis cover the rest for a few dirhams. Meknès is superbly connected by rail: the central ONCF station puts the city around 40 minutes from Fès and a few hours from Rabat and Casablanca — ideal for a car-free escape. Travel light between two trains The catch with a short visit is the suitcase. You arrive in the morning by train but the room isn't ready until early afternoon; or you check out at noon before heading to Volubilis with an evening train in your pocket. Rather than dragging your bags through the souks or across the Roman site, drop them at a storage point near the station. With BoxSpot you book a partner venue online (a café, shop or hotel) that keeps your things safe, protected by a dual QR code and a photo record — from 9 MAD an hour. With the ONCF station right in the heart of Meknès, you set off to explore Bab Mansour and the medina with a lighter mind and lighter shoulders. Ready to discover the imperial city without your suitcase? Find luggage storage in Meknès and book your slot in seconds.