"The city of a hundred minarets," the brilliant Meknes, it seems, with every brick of its buildings exudes negligence, deliberation and self-esteem. . One of the three imperial cities of Morocco, he perhaps more than others was able to preserve the atmosphere of regal laziness and enjoyment every minute of life: within forty kilometer of the fortress wall of the old city, magnificent gardens are reflected, reflected in the immovable smoothness of the Agdal pond, and El Gedim Square is filled every evening with fortune-tellers, jugglers, swallows of fire and snake charmers . And from Mek Ness can easily reach the most important Roman ruins of the country or play golf in the luxurious gardens of the royal palace .
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How to get to Meknes
The nearest airport to Meknes is in Casablanca. Three times a week, direct flights from Royal Air Maroc depart from Moscow; you can get from other CIS countries with a transfer in Europe
To reach Casablanca from Meknes, you can use the service of the state transport company: up to six buses go daily. The travel time is 4 hours, the fare is about 8 $. Another option is on the local taxi taxi. The prices are slightly lower and the travel time is the same.
Meknes can also be reached by bus or minibus from other cities in Morocco: Fez, Rabat, Marrakech and Tangier.
Search for airline tickets to Casablanca (the nearest airport Meknes)
How to navigate in the city
Meknes can be conditionally divided into two "different" parts: the medina, or the old city behind the fortress wall, and a new city called "Hamriya."
The parts are separated by a dried-up riverbed of the Bufekran river, through which the bridge is thrown over for convenience of communication. Historical sights are concentrated in the medina, and Khamriya, on the contrary, is the focus of restaurants, cafes, shops and other entertainment. The area of El Gedim is adjacent to the medina and the other to the Imperial City, the home of the King of Morocco when Meknes was the capital.
Transport
Medina Meknes and the center of the new city can be easily explored on foot. To cover longer distances, use taxi services. The cost of the trip starts from $ 1, be sure to make sure that the driver turned on the meter. After 8 pm there is a night rate: plus 50%. If you want to plunge headlong into the people, you can ride a Meknes bus. Fare not far below the taxi; to the number of cheerful bonuses invariably refers to the crush and some confusion in following the points of the route
Cuisine and restaurants
To have a snack or dine well is best in the new city: here there are a large number of establishments for every taste and purse. To the popular gastronomic arteries is the central street of Ansirape (rue Antsirape) - here everything is served, from sandwiches to dishes of national cuisine. The restaurants on Ghana Street are tourist-oriented and offer a fixed menu for about $ 5.
Fresh products, marinades and pickles, olives and spices can be bought in the market at the main gate in the medina - Bab al Mansur
Shopping and shopping
The abundance of souvenirs, local handicrafts and handicrafts of Morocco's national crafts can be found in the old town .In the narrow streets of the medina, they sell carpets and coining, national shoes and clothing, kitchen utensils and ceramics, interior and decoration items, from inexpensive costume jewelery to costly piece pieces, for example, Berber silver . The more you go into the old city, the lower will be prices; in stores near the entrance to the medina in general, strictly do not recommend anything to buy: overpay at least five times . Do not forget to mercilessly bargain in any case .
Climate Meknes
Clearly + 17 ° C in the afternoon + 6 ° C at night ° C water |
Clear + 21 ° C in the afternoon + 5 ° C at night ° C water |
Clear + 21 ° C in the afternoon + 7 ° C at night ° C water |
| Weather forecast in Meknes for 10 days | ||
| Average monthly temperature, ° C | ||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Av | sen | oct | @ nov | dec | |
| day | + 15 | + 16 | + 18 | + 20 | + 23 | + 27 | + 32 | + 32 | + 29 | + 24 | + 19 | + 15 |
| at night | + 5 | + 6 | + 7 | + 8 | + 11 | + 14 | + 17 | + 17 | + 16 | + 12 | + 9 | + 5 |
Book popular hotels Meknes at the best prices
| Hotel Tafilalet & Spa from 4 067 rubles Meknès 4, Angle Abdelmoulen Mouahidi Ouakaat Zellaka | Hotel Transatlantique from 4 963 rubles Meknès El Mariniyine | Menzeh Dalia from 3 240 rubles Meknès Domaine Izmar, RP N6 Vers Rabat, |
| Ibis Meknes from 2 344 rubles Meknès Avenue Des Far | Hôtel Belle Vue et Spa from 2 757 rubles Meknès 21, Avenue des FAR | Hotel Oasis Tafilalet from 2 550 rubles Meknès N6, Rue Kifa (Nouvelle Ville) |
Entertainment, excursions and attractions Meknes
Medina Meknes and the remains of the Royal Palace were are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. To appreciate the power of the fortress walls, go around the medina around, and for a panoramic view of the surroundings you can climb to one of its borjas (military forts).
Pay attention to the pearls of Moroccan religious architecture: The great Meknes mosque with fabulous beauty carved doors and located near the madrassah Bu Inania, built in the air Spanish-Moorish style
Bab al-Mansur (early 18th century) is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful gates to the old city.
Dar Jamai Palace, itself a magnificent monument of Meknes residential architecture of the Arab-Andalusian style, takes under its arches the Ethnographic Museum. Examine the rich collections of chasing, porcelain and antique jewelry. Another example of the housing of well-to-do Meknes is the El Mansour Palace, turned into a popular tourist store today
In the heart of the Imperial City, sit silently before the frozen surface of the Agdal pond, which served to irrigate the harem gardens and cool the cool on hot summer days. Dar-el-Ma, the "house of water", is also located here - tanks that provide water to the city.
Golf lovers are encouraged not to miss the rare opportunity to play in the Royal Palace: Meknes Royal Golf Club is located in the heart of the lushly flowering gardens of the Imperial city
Neighborhoods
31 km from Meknes is the largest archaeological park in Morocco - the ruins of the Roman Volubilis. Among the masterpieces of the complex are the Arc de Triomphe, the Capitol and the house of Bacchus (named after the well-known mosaic found in one of its premises). You should spend at least 2 hours on the inspection
The sacred city of Mulei Idriss is located 22 km east of Meknes. Its founder turned the Berbers into Islam even before Fez emerged. You can visit the mausoleum of Mulej Idriss himself or just wander around the nearby streets with dazzling white houses
Festivals
At the end of summer, an equestrian festival is held in the suburb of Meknes Tissa, during which the Berber bands "fantasy" perform, national dances, songs and a contest.
The day before the religious holiday of the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday, Meknes hosts the Ben Aissa People's and Religious Festival, dedicated to the holy founder of one of the Sufi sects - "aissava". You can take a look at the Sufi dance-trance, listen to music, see how in honor of the saint eat piercing-cutting objects, and buy trinkets at the fair.