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Destination guide Morocco

Meknes

Roman ruins in the farmland north of Meknes, below the Zerhoun hills.

See Volubilis tickets
The ruins of Volubilis below the Zerhoun hills
Volubilis, near Meknes

In the city

Roman Volubilis, near Meknes.

Volubilis lies north of Meknes, near the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun. Walk the main street to the triumphal arch and the basilica, past mosaic floors still in place.

Explore Volubilis
Timed entry

Site admission

A Roman arch, a great basilica and mosaic floors, below the Zerhoun hills.
€25per adult
The lily pond and palms of Jardin Majorelle

Also in Morocco

Marrakech

From the blue of Jardin Majorelle to the courtyards of the medina’s palaces and tombs.

Read the Marrakech guide
The rocky Atlantic coast outside the Caves of Hercules

Also in Morocco

Tangier

Sea caves at Cap Spartel and a villa in the forest above the Strait of Gibraltar.

Read the Tangier guide
Chefchaouen’s blue medina and the mountains, seen from the kasbah tower

Also in Morocco

Chefchaouen

A kasbah and its garden on the main square of the blue town.

Read the Chefchaouen guide
A restored Roman gate at Tamuda, with Tétouan behind

Also in Morocco

Tétouan

A school of traditional crafts by the medina, and Roman gates outside the city.

Read the Tétouan guide
Ruins at Lixus above the meanders of the Loukkos river

Also in Morocco

Larache

Phoenician and Roman ruins on a hill above the Loukkos estuary.

Read the Larache guide
The tiled courtyard and fountain of the Marinid Madrasa in Salé

Also in Morocco

Salé

A Marinid madrasa in the old town across the river from Rabat.

Read the Salé guide
Blue fishing boats below the Skala du Port in Essaouira

Also in Morocco

Essaouira

Ramparts, cannons and blue boats on the Atlantic harbour.

Read the Essaouira guide
Beni Mellal and the plain below, seen from the hills above the city

Also in Morocco

Beni Mellal

A heritage centre by the gardens of a mountain spring.

Read the Beni Mellal guide

Visitor guide

Know before you go.

Practical information for a visit to Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis, from getting around to staying safe and finding somewhere to eat.

Checked 8 November 2026. Prices, apps and advice change; check the sources before you travel.

Quick facts

Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Language
Moroccan Arabic (Darija) day to day; French is widely used.
Time
GMT (UTC+0) all year.
Plugs
Type C and E (European two-pin), 230 V.
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November. Summers are very hot; winter days are mild and evenings cool.

About Meknes

  • The Almoravids founded Meknes in the 11th century as a military settlement; under Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672–1727) it was Morocco’s capital.
  • The historic city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. Bab Mansour, the great gate on El Hedim square, was finished in 1732 by Moulay Ismail’s son.
  • Volubilis, a World Heritage Site since 1997, grew from the 3rd century BC and flourished under Roman rule from the 1st century AD; it fell to local tribes around 285.
  • Its triumphal arch was built in 217 in honour of the emperor Caracalla, and many of its mosaics can still be seen where they were laid.

Getting around

Taxis

Petit taxis carry up to three passengers within the city: ask for the meter or agree the fare first. Grand taxis carry up to six on fixed routes at set prices.

To Volubilis

There is no direct bus. Shared grand taxis, and city bus 15, leave from near the grand-taxi station for Moulay Idriss, about 30 km away; Volubilis is about 5 km further, a signposted walk or a short taxi ride. You can also hire a whole grand taxi for the round trip to Moulay Idriss and Volubilis: agree the price and the waiting time before you set off.

By train

Meknes has two railway stations, both in the new town, so take a taxi to the medina. Trains to Fès take about 45 minutes, and lines run west to Rabat and Casablanca and north to Tangier.

From the airport

The nearest airport is Fès–Saïss (FEZ), reached by road. From Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport, Meknes can be reached by train.

Staying safe

The UK government’s advice for Morocco applies in Meknes too: a threat of terrorism in busy tourist places, and pickpocketing, unofficial guides and card fraud in tourist areas. It has no separate warnings for the city or Volubilis.

  • People posing as guides approach visitors in the medina; official guides carry a badge, so ask to see it.
  • Keep your card in sight when paying, and check goods before you leave a shop.
  • Take care with petit taxis late at night, and agree the fare for a hired taxi before you set off.
  • Avoid quiet areas after dark.
  • Moroccan sources also give 19 for police and 15 for fire and rescue.

Emergency numbers

Police
190
Ambulance and fire
150
Gendarmerie (outside cities)
177

Places to eat nearby

Well-known restaurants near the sights, listed for convenience. Apollonaut has no connection with them and takes no bookings. Price levels (€ to €€€) are a rough guide; check opening times before you go.

  • Restaurant Dar Baraka Medina · Traditional Moroccan in a family house €€
  • Aisha Medina, Kababine, a short walk from Bab Mansour · Home-style Moroccan €
  • Goût de Meknès Medina, opposite the Grand Mosque · Moroccan, roof terrace €
  • Restaurant Dar Lalla Khadra Medina, near Bab Berdaine · Moroccan home cooking, set menus €
  • Le Collier de la Colombe Medina, Rue Driba, near Lalla Aouda · Moroccan, panoramic terrace (book ahead) €€
  • Scorpion House Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, near Volubilis · Terrace lunch with views towards Volubilis (by reservation only) €€€
Sources for this guide
Photography credits

Images have been resized and cropped for this guide.

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