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Photography Guide
10 Best Viewpoints in Meknes
Imperial gates, vast granaries, Roman ruins, and a holy city: the most photogenic spots in Morocco's overlooked imperial capital.
Meknes Photography Tips
Top viewpoint: Bab el-Mansour in afternoon light
Most unique: Heri es-Souani light shafts through arches
Day trip: Volubilis ruins with Atlas backdrop
Best aerial: Rooftop cafes above Place el-Hedim
1
Bab el-Mansour Gate
Architectural IconFree Place el-Hedim, entrance to the imperial city Best: Late afternoon
The most ornate gate in Morocco — perhaps in all of North Africa. Bab el-Mansour was completed in 1732 under Sultan Moulay Ismail and is decorated with intricate zellige tilework, carved marble columns (recycled from Volubilis), and Arabic calligraphy. The gate is enormous: the central arch towers over the surrounding buildings. The best photographs capture the full gate from Place el-Hedim — the afternoon sun illuminates the west-facing facade and brings out the detail of the tilework. The gate is no longer a working entrance but an exhibition space. The sheer ambition of the decoration — every surface covered with geometric and floral patterns — reflects Moulay Ismail's desire to surpass Versailles. The gate is the symbol of Meknes.
Tip: The afternoon sun (3–5pm) illuminates the full facade — shoot from across the square for the complete composition
2
Place el-Hedim
Grand SquareFree Place el-Hedim, central Meknes Best: Evening
Meknes' main square — smaller and more intimate than Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fnaa, but with its own character. The square faces Bab el-Mansour to the south and the medina entrance to the north. In the evening, the square fills with food vendors, musicians, storytellers, and families promenading. The atmosphere is authentic — Meknes receives far fewer tourists than Marrakech, so the square life is genuinely local. The view of Bab el-Mansour from the square is the defining image of Meknes. The surrounding buildings have cafes with terrace seating (see viewpoint #3). The fountain in the centre provides a foreground element. The square's name means "demolition square" — Moulay Ismail demolished part of the old medina to create it.
Tip: The evening atmosphere (after 7pm) is the most photogenic — food vendors set up their stalls and the gate is lit
3
Rooftop Cafes Above Place el-Hedim
Elevated PanoramaFree (order a drink) North side of Place el-Hedim (upper floors) Best: Sunset
Several cafes on the upper floors of buildings along the north side of Place el-Hedim offer aerial views across the square to Bab el-Mansour. The elevated perspective reveals the full scale of the square and gate together — a composition that's hard to achieve from ground level. At sunset, the light catches the gate's tilework and the square activity below creates depth and interest. The mint tea is excellent and inexpensive. The rooftop perspective also reveals the medina roofscape behind you — a jumble of satellite dishes, drying laundry, and minarets. These cafes are well-known to local photographers. The view is one of the most satisfying in Moroccan urban photography — architectural grandeur with human-scale activity below.
Tip: Cafe Annasr has the best elevated angle toward Bab el-Mansour — ask for a window table
4
Heri es-Souani (Royal Granaries)
Interior Architecture10 MAD South of the medina, imperial city Best: Morning (for light through the arches)
The vast Ismaili-era granaries and stables — built by Sultan Moulay Ismail to store grain and house his 12,000 horses. The scale is extraordinary: rows of massive arches stretching into the distance, thick walls designed for natural climate control, and vaulted ceilings that create dramatic light patterns. The morning sun enters through the east-facing openings and creates shafts of light through the arches — one of the most dramatic interior photography opportunities in Morocco. Part of the roof has collapsed, creating an open-air section with sky visible through the arches. The ruins have a cathedral-like quality. The adjacent Agdal Basin (a large rectangular pool used to irrigate the royal gardens) reflects the sky. This is one of Morocco's most unique architectural experiences.
Tip: The morning sun creates dramatic light shafts through the east-facing arches — arrive before 10am
5
Volubilis Roman Ruins
Ancient Site Panorama70 MAD 30 km north of Meknes, Moulay Idriss road Best: Early morning or late afternoon
Morocco's finest Roman archaeological site — 30 km north of Meknes. The UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Volubilis include a triumphal arch, a capitol temple, a basilica, and dozens of houses with remarkably preserved mosaic floors. The site sits on a fertile plateau with views to the Middle Atlas mountains and the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun on the opposite hill. The combination of Roman architecture, wheat fields, olive groves, and mountain backdrop creates extraordinary compositions. The triumphal arch of Caracalla (217 AD) frames the landscape beautifully. The mosaic floors — depicting Dionysus, Orpheus, and athletic scenes — are some of the finest in situ mosaics outside Italy. The site is rarely crowded in the early morning. Storks nest on the columns.
Tip: The Arch of Caracalla frames Moulay Idriss on the opposite hill — the most iconic composition at the site
6
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun Terrace
Holy City ViewFree Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, 25 km north of Meknes Best: Late afternoon
The holy city of Moulay Idriss — Morocco's most sacred town, named for the founder of the Idrisid dynasty (and descendant of the Prophet). The town cascades down two hills around the tomb of Moulay Idriss I. Non-Muslims cannot enter the tomb area, but the town itself is open. The terrace viewpoints on both hills offer views across the town: the green-tiled tomb in the centre, white-washed houses climbing the slopes, and the surrounding farmland. The view from the "grand terrace" on the eastern hill captures the entire town with olive groves and Volubilis visible in the valley below. The town is quiet and deeply atmospheric. Until 2005, non-Muslims were not permitted to stay overnight — it remains one of Morocco's most traditional communities.
Tip: The "grand terrace" on the east hill gives the classic view of the town — the green tomb at centre
7
Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
Royal MonumentFree Imperial city, south of Place el-Hedim Best: Morning
The tomb of Sultan Moulay Ismail — one of the few active religious sites in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. The interior is spectacular: soaring arches, intricate zellige tilework, carved stucco, and huge chandeliers. The courtyard features a central fountain surrounded by arches and columns, creating beautiful symmetrical compositions. The mausoleum is a working shrine — Moroccan visitors come to pay respects, and the atmosphere is reverential and serene. The interior photography is challenging (low light, no flash) but rewarding: the colour and detail of the decoration is extraordinary. The mausoleum was restored by Mohammed VI and is maintained to a high standard. Respectful dress is required.
Tip: Wide-angle lens essential for the interior arches — no flash, but the chandeliers provide ambient light
8
Medina Rooftops
CityscapeFree (via riads or cafes) Various riads and cafes in the medina Best: Sunset
The rooftops of Meknes' medina — accessible from several riads and cafes — offer panoramic views of the old city. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved in Morocco. From the rooftops, the view encompasses dozens of minarets, the green-tiled domes of zaouias (religious lodges), satellite dishes, and the Middle Atlas mountains on the horizon. The medina's roofscape is less developed and more traditional than Fes or Marrakech — fewer tourist riads, more genuine residential life. The sunset light creates warm tones on the earth-coloured buildings. The sound of the evening call to prayer from multiple minarets is atmospheric. The medina is compact and walkable.
Tip: Riad Yacout and Riad Lahboul both offer excellent rooftop panoramas for the price of a mint tea
9
Bab el-Khemis & Flea Market
Gate & Market ViewFree Bab el-Khemis, western medina Best: Thursday morning
The western gate of the medina — less ornate than Bab el-Mansour but with its own severe beauty. The area around Bab el-Khemis hosts a large flea market (the name means "Thursday Gate" from its traditional market day, though the market now operates daily). The gate frames the market activity: piles of antiques, Berber carpets, brass lanterns, and agricultural tools spread across the square. The composition of the massive gate arch with the colourful market life is one of the most authentic scenes in Meknes. Thursday remains the biggest market day. The surrounding walls are impressive — Moulay Ismail's defensive circuit extends 40 km around the city. The area is lightly touristed.
Tip: Thursday is the biggest market day — the piles of goods under the gate arch create atmospheric compositions
10
Agdal Basin
Royal Reservoir10 MAD (with Heri es-Souani) Adjacent to Heri es-Souani, imperial city Best: Morning
The massive rectangular reservoir (Bassin de l'Agdal) built by Moulay Ismail to irrigate the royal gardens and supply water to his palace complex. The basin is surprisingly large — approximately 4 hectares of open water surrounded by walls and gardens. The still water creates mirror-like reflections of the sky and the surrounding trees. The basin is adjacent to the Heri es-Souani granaries and shares a ticket. The morning light creates the best reflections when the air is still. The water attracts birds — herons, egrets, and storks are common visitors. The combination of the basin, the granary ruins, and the gardens creates a peaceful contrast to the busy medina. The scale of Moulay Ismail's hydraulic engineering — channels, cisterns, and this basin — was centuries ahead of its time.
Tip: The morning reflections on the still water are perfect — the basin acts as a natural mirror before the wind rises
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best viewpoints in Meknes?
The best viewpoints in Meknes are Place el-Hedim (the grand square facing Bab el-Mansour, Morocco's most ornate gate), the Heri es-Souani granaries (vast Ismaili-era storehouses with dramatic interior arches), and the rooftop cafes overlooking Place el-Hedim (aerial views of the gate and medina life). Nearby Volubilis (30 km away) is Morocco's best-preserved Roman site with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The medina rooftops offer panoramas of minarets and the Middle Atlas foothills. Meknes is significantly less crowded than Fes or Marrakech, making photography easier and more relaxed.
Is Meknes worth visiting for photography?
Yes — Meknes is one of Morocco's most underrated photography destinations. The city has four UNESCO World Heritage-level attractions: Bab el-Mansour (arguably Morocco's finest gate), the Heri es-Souani granaries (unique in scale), the medina (less touristy than Fes), and Volubilis (the best Roman ruins in Morocco). The absence of mass tourism means you can photograph without crowds. Sultan Moulay Ismail built Meknes to rival Versailles — the scale of the imperial architecture is extraordinary. The surrounding countryside (olive groves, vineyards, and the Middle Atlas) adds landscape photography opportunities. The city is also a base for day trips to the holy city of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.