The old city is entered from the vast plaza of Djemma el-fna Square where, it seems, half the city converges throughout the day and into the evening to hang out with the stall vendors, traditional musicians, snake charmers, and random acrobats.

Amid the souqs area, you'll find the tanneries, where the huge vats of colored dyes are one of the city's iconic sights.

As well as the city's artisan heritage, with souq streets full to the brim with traditional handicrafts, and the scatter of palaces and monuments hidden amid the twisting streets, the main attraction of Fes el Bali is simply heading out on aimless wanders amid the lanes.

Come in the late afternoon to photograph the gate in the soft light, then wander through Meknes' small maze of a medina, which is a much more laid-back affair than the medina of nearby Fes.

Meknes can easily be visited as a day trip from Fes, but it also is a destination in its own right and it's a good stop on any northern Morocco itinerary.