Morocco day 18. Volubilis, Meknes and Mulay Idriss

Submitted by maria on Thu, 28/11/2024 - 11:08

We have booked an excursion with getyourguide to visit the Roman city of Volubilis, the holy city of Mulay Idris and the ancient Moroccan capital of Meknes.

Volubilis

After breakfast in the riad's lounge we go to R'Cif square where they come to pick us up.

In the van we are accompanied by three other Spaniards. The driver is our guide and speaks Spanish. The tour includes the transfers to the different cities but not the entrance fees or guides at each of the stops. On the getyourguide website you will find different prices for the same tour, they are all the same except that they give you a bottle of water, we took one for 14.40€/pax.

Our driver is a bit aggressive at the wheel, we called his attention several times but it was almost worse because the more you told him the worse he drove.

Volubilis

The Roman city of Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman archaeological site in Morocco. Although the city of Volubilis was founded by the Cataginians, the Romans settled here later. The complex is quite large, with temples and palatial houses with outstanding mosaics. The Romans introduced wheat and olive cultivation in this area to cover the food needs of the empire, which is why they preserved two olive-oil mills. It was abandoned in the 18th century when the territory of Lisbon was produced.

You need at least an hour and a half to see it. The entrance fee is 10€/pax and if you want a guide you have to pay extra.

Volubilis

Our next stop is the holy city of Mulay Idris.

Mulay Idris

Mulay Idris is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Morocco, it is said that five pilgrimages here are equivalent to one to Mecca.

Mulay Idris

Mulay Idris was founded by Mulay Ismail I, the great-grandson of Muhammad, and his son. The city retains its austere character as non-Muslims were not allowed to enter until the mid-20th century.

Mulay Idris

At Mulay Idris we stop for half an hour. You can visit the central square, the panoramic terraces and the Mausoleum of Mulay Idris, but you can only see it from the gate.

Mulay Idris

Our last stop is Meknes or Meknes.

Meknes

Meknes is one of Morocco's four imperial capitals, smaller and quieter than Fez. Mulay Ismail established the capital of Morocco here in the 18th century.

We only stayed a few hours but Meknes has a special charm that makes you want to stay.

Meknes

First we went for a quick bite to eat, a taco filled with chicken and chips at La Gazelle.

In Meknes you can't miss its small Medina and its souks, we visited it after lunch and discovered the Great Mosque, from the 11th century, founded by the Almohads, it has 11 doors and 143 arches, only accessible to Muslims.

Other places of interest in Meknes are:

1. Place el-Hedim, the little sister of the Jamaa el Fna square in Marrakech. We recommend a drink on the terrace of the Pavillon Des Idrissides restaurant to enjoy the view. Their speciality is a milkshake with everything 15dh.

Plaza el-Hedim

2. Bab el-Mansour Gate, currently under construction, connects the imperial city with the Place el-Hedim.

Bab el -Mansour

3. Madrasa Bou Inania, a coranic school very similar to the one in Fez.

4. Mausoleum of Mulay Ismail. Reopened after a renovation, it is one of the most important and beautiful places in the city. Mulay Ismail was a very important religious and political man in Morocco, founder of Meknes.