I visited Meknes on the morning of the 1st of January, not the best choice of time. The Place el-Hedim, Meknes’s attempt at having their own Djemaa el-Fna, looked desolate (especially under the grey clouds that didn’t want to give way to the sun). The medina was deserted, and most of the shops were closed. The same unfortunately was true for the Dar Jamaï Museum, advertised by my Lonely Planet guide as “one of Morocco’s best museums”.

One might also wonder why this medina has been placed on the List, next to the more mind-blowing ones in Marrakech and Fez. You'll get a medina-overdose anyway in Morocco.

As I clearly didn't enjoy my time here in Meknes, I decided to skip the royal stables (probably closed too). I travelled on to Volubilis and Moulay Idriss on the same day, both well worth the effort so that I had a fine day after all.