Meknes is split into two parts: the old town, called Medina, and the New Town, Ville Nouvelle, in French). In Ville Nouvelle, one will find most of the hotels as well as transportation options, like the train and bus stations. The main road in Ville Nouvelle is Rue Antsirape. Also Rue Ghana has some appetizing restaurants.

Medina was made part of the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996; it is a delicate mix of European and Islamic architecture and design. In Medina, there are majority of the monuments and sites. Medina’s main square, called the El-Hdim is similar to the square in Marrakech, with grand cone-shaped arches and intricately decorated façade.   Here there are also storytellers, snake charmers, musicians playing local traditional instruments. The square is close to markets and souqs which are located in the North of Medina. Also in Medina is a very ornately decorated Koran School, called the Medersa Bou Inania, which was built in the 14 th century during the rule of Sultan Abou El-Hassan. The grand mosque can be seen from this site. Travelers should remember that Non-Muslims are not allowed inside Morrocan mosques. while the Jewish quarter, called the Mellah, is in the South West. Moulay Islmail landmarks are in the South East. This can be reached from the El-Hdim Square by following the Lalla Aouda esplanade and following a street from that square. The Mausoleum gate does not look very large; once one has paid an entrance fee and taken off their shoes, they are free to enter the Mausoleum. The Sultan Moulay Ismail, who was born in 1672 and died in 1727, was the one who wished to transform the former military town into a grand, imperial city. When he decided to built a palace bigger than Versailles, he commanded 50,000 black slaves to work on this dream. This shrine is in memory of this character. Only Muslims are allowed to visit the Royal Tombs.

Another site is the Dar Jamai Palace, which holds the Moroccan folklore museum as well as the Nejjarin Mosque which is the oldest mosque in Meknes, dating from the 10 th century, as well as the Dar El Beida Palace, which was built in the 18 th century.