Meknès Medina travel guide

The médina of Meknès has seven traditional souks, which while not quite of the order of those in Marrakech or Fès, are nevertheless well worth exploring. Immediately to the left of the Dar Jamaï a small entrance leads to the souks. The alley bends around to the right behind Dar Jamaï past some undistinguished clothes shops. Just before a carpet shop turn left. The passage, now covered, widens slightly, and continues past a range of shops selling modern goods, a bank, and various minor side turnings. At the junction, on the left, is Souk Nejjarine, which includes sellers of textiles, and carpenters, another entrance to the carpet souk, and a fondouk hardly changed since it was built. This route passes the Almoravid Nejjarine Mosque. At the end one can turn left towards the mellah or Place el Hedim or right into the dusty and noisy Souk Sraira, just inside the city walls, used by carpenters and metalworkers. At the very end, on the left, is the 12th-century Almohad Bab Jedid gate, around which are some interesting stalls selling musical instruments. Souk Cherchira, initially occupied by tentmakers, runs parallel to Souk Sraira but outside the city walls. Souk Sebbat is the right-hand turning opposite Souk Nejjarine and includes sellers of baboushes, modern clothes and caftans, several tourist and handicraft shops, a fondouk on the right, and another on the left before the Bou Inania Medersa. A turning on the right opposite the medersa leads directly onto Rue Dar Smen, a good alternative route to remember.

Nearby, the Grand Mosque, situated in the heart of the médina, is a 12th-century Almoravid foundation with 14th-century alterations. It is one of the oldest in Meknès and also the largest. Although non-Muslims are not permitted to enter the mosque, it is possible to view its lovely green-tiled roof and the minaret from the neighbouring Medersa Bou Inania .