The imperial city of Meknes doesn't draw the crowds that Marrakesh and Fez do, which means you can explore its medina (a UNESCO World Heritage site) at a relaxed pace with relatively little hassle. From 1672 to 1727, Meknes served as the capital for Muslim ruler Moulay Ismail. His ornately decorated mausoleum complex is one of the city's architectural highlights, as well as one of the few mausoleums in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter.
Other architectural highlights include the Bou Inania Medersa (theological school) and Bab Mansour, a gate with stunning colored tiles, marble pillars and a lacy web of carved stucco. The Dar Jamai Museum houses an impressive collection of decorative arts. Two more impressive sights include the Dar el-Ma, a huge barrel-vaulted structure that served as the city's reservoir, and the adjoining Heri el-Souani, a monumental grain-storage facility. The covered market also warrants a visit.
The countryside around Meknes is pleasant—rolling hills planted with olive trees and other crops. Day trips to two nearby sites are highly recommended. Moulay Idriss, a beautiful hilltop town founded in the eighth century, is a holy city for pilgrims. (The mausoleum complex is closed to non-Muslims, but the rest of the town is open to visitors.) In Volubilis you'll find the well-preserved ruins of the 2,000-year-old capital of Roman Mauritania, home of Antony and Cleopatra's daughter, Sylene. The structures in Volubilis are comparable to other Roman ruins found throughout the Mediterranean area, and the mosaic floors are among the finest in existence. Meknes is 80 mi/130 km east of Rabat.
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