Sixty kilometres separate Fes and Meknes on the Moroccan plains, but in terms of tourist traffic they occupy different planets. Fes receives roughly four million visitors a year; Meknes, once the 17th-century capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail who dreamed of rivalling Versailles, receives perhaps a tenth of that. Both carry UNESCO classification (Meknes since 1996), both have sprawling medinas, grand medersa and monuments of Alaouite grandeur — but Meknes lets you experience all of it without the tourist pressure. The city's Bab Mansour gate is arguably the finest monumental gateway in Morocco, and its granaries (the Heri es-Souani), designed to feed 12,000 horses, are a feat of hydraulic engineering that still inspires architects today.
Option A
Fes
The world's oldest and largest living medieval city
Best for
History enthusiasts, first-timers to imperial cities, architecture lovers
Full guideOption B
Meknes
The forgotten imperial capital — granaries, stables and vast Bab Mansour
Best for
Travellers seeking less-touristed Morocco; day-trippers from Fes
Full guideSide-by-side breakdown
Fes vs Meknes: how they compare
| Category | Fes | Meknes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist pressure | High — 4 million visitors/year; souk guides and touts persistent | Low — one of Morocco's most under-visited imperial cities |
| Medina scale | Enormous — Fes el-Bali has 9,000 lanes; days to explore fully | Manageable — smaller medina walkable without a guide in 3–4 hours |
| Iconic monument | Chouara tannery; Bou Inania Medersa; Al-Qarawiyyin (world's oldest university) | Bab Mansour gate; Heri es-Souani granaries; Moulay Ismail Mausoleum |
| Accommodation | Wide range: medina riads, boutique hotels, international chains | Few luxury options; mostly mid-range riads and hotels — often better value |
| Day trip from one to other | Meknes is 60 km / 1 hour from Fes — an easy day trip | Fes is 60 km from Meknes — ideal as a base for a day in Fes |
| Volubilis access | 30 km from Fes; easily combined with a Meknes day trip | Volubilis Roman ruins are only 30 km from Meknes — the natural pairing |
| Cuisine | Fassi cuisine is Morocco's most refined — bastilla, seffa, mrouzia | Local meknassi dishes include briouat (pastry cigars) and mechoui (whole roast lamb) |
| Airport | Fes–Saïss Airport (FEZ): several European direct routes | No dedicated airport; uses Fes (FEZ) 60 km away or Casablanca (CMN) 200 km |
Our verdict
Which should you choose?
Do not choose between them — do both. Fes deserves three to four nights as your base; a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis is one of the best day excursions in Morocco. If forced to choose, Fes offers more depth and a greater range of accommodation. But if you have already visited Fes and are looking for a less-touristed imperial experience on a return trip, Meknes is the hidden gem of Moroccan cities.
Deep dives
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How far is Meknes from Fes?
Meknes is approximately 60 km from Fes — about 1 hour by car or a 45-minute train journey on the Casablanca–Fes line. Trains run frequently throughout the day.
Is Meknes worth visiting from Fes?
Absolutely. Meknes is arguably Morocco's most underrated imperial city. Its Bab Mansour gate, the Heri es-Souani granaries and the medina can be covered in a full day trip from Fes, and combining it with Volubilis (30 km north of Meknes) makes one of the best day excursions in the country.
What is Meknes famous for?
Meknes is famous for the monuments of Sultan Moulay Ismail, who ruled 1672–1727 and made it his imperial capital to rival Versailles. Key sights include Bab Mansour (one of the finest gates in the Islamic world), the Heri es-Souani granaries, the Moulay Ismail Mausoleum, and the medina's Medersa Bou Inania (not to be confused with the Fes one).
Can I see Fes and Meknes in two days?
Two days is tight for Fes alone — four days is a better minimum. You can add Meknes and Volubilis as a combined day trip from Fes. Alternatively, base one night in Meknes to experience the city when day-trippers have left.
Is Meknes cheaper than Fes?
Yes, generally. Meknes has fewer tourist-facing businesses, which keeps riad and restaurant prices lower. Eating in Meknes's medina restaurants typically costs 30–50% less than equivalent venues in Fes.
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