Claim to Fame
Morocco is a land of contrasts — where ancient medinas meet windswept deserts, and vibrant colors, textures, and architecture make it one of the most photogenic countries in the world.
📌 Navigating Morocco : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- How Long to Visit: A visit to key sites often takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the location and activities planned.
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available in most public places, including restaurants and major tourist attractions.
- Hours of Operation: Hours of operation for attractions typically range from 9 AM to 6 PM, but this can vary by season.
- Important Information: It is advisable to respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in rural and religious areas.
- Admission Fee: Admission fees vary by location, with some sites free and others charging a nominal fee.
- Hours of Operation: Hours of operation for attractions typically range from 9 AM to 6 PM, but this can vary by season.
- Important Information: It is advisable to respect local customs and dress modestly, especially in rural and religious areas.
- Admission Fee: Admission fees vary by location, with some sites free and others charging a nominal fee.
- How Long to Visit: A visit to key sites often takes between 2 to 4 hours, depending on the location and activities planned.
- Washrooms: Washrooms are available in most public places, including restaurants and major tourist attractions.
- Parking: Parking is available in major cities and tourist areas, often in designated lots or street parking.
- Family Friendly: Morocco is generally family-friendly, with various activities and sites suitable for children.
- Photography: Photography is permitted in many areas, but some sites may have restrictions, especially in religious places.
- WIFI: WIFI is accessible in major hotels, cafes, and some public areas, although connectivity may vary.
- Picnic Area: Picnic areas are limited, but some parks and natural landscapes provide suitable spots for outdoor dining.
- Handicap Accessible: Many tourist sites in Morocco offer handicap accessibility, but this can vary greatly by location.
- Pets: Pets are not commonly allowed in most tourist attractions, and it's advisable to check local regulations.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are widely available, offering insights into the culture, history, and attractions of Morocco.
- Restaurant or Cafe: Morocco features a rich culinary scene with numerous restaurants and cafes serving traditional and modern dishes.
- Gift Shop: Gift shops are abundant in tourist areas, offering a variety of local handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional goods.
- Handicap Accessible: Many tourist sites in Morocco offer handicap accessibility, but this can vary greatly by location.
- Pets: Pets are not commonly allowed in most tourist attractions, and it's advisable to check local regulations.
- Guided Tours: Guided tours are widely available, offering insights into the culture, history, and attractions of Morocco.
- Restaurant or Cafe: Morocco features a rich culinary scene with numerous restaurants and cafes serving traditional and modern dishes.
- Gift Shop: Gift shops are abundant in tourist areas, offering a variety of local handicrafts, souvenirs, and traditional goods.
- Parking: Parking is available in major cities and tourist areas, often in designated lots or street parking.
- Family Friendly: Morocco is generally family-friendly, with various activities and sites suitable for children.
- Photography: Photography is permitted in many areas, but some sites may have restrictions, especially in religious places.
- WIFI: WIFI is accessible in major hotels, cafes, and some public areas, although connectivity may vary.
- Picnic Area: Picnic areas are limited, but some parks and natural landscapes provide suitable spots for outdoor dining.
Photos of Morocco
Why Morocco Captivates Photographers
Morocco offers one of the most diverse shooting environments on a single trip. Within a week, you can frame the deep blues of Chefchaouen, golden dunes of the Sahara, bustling souks of Marrakech, and snowy peaks of the Atlas Mountains. Rich in color, geometry, and cultural vibrancy, Morocco rewards both landscape and street photographers alike. The country’s unique blend of Berber, Arab, and French influences is visible in every doorway, alley, and spice vendor — making it a visual playground for your lens.
Best Time of Year to Photograph Morocco
Morocco is a year-round destination, but certain seasons offer better light, weather, and photographic comfort:
- Spring (March–May): Best for landscapes — green valleys, wildflowers, and clear skies in the desert
- Autumn (September–November): Golden tones, mild temperatures, and great light across all locations
- Winter (December–February): Snow in the Atlas Mountains, lower light angles, and fewer crowds
Tip: Summer (June–August) can be brutally hot, especially in the desert. Stick to early morning and evening shoots.
Top Photography Locations in Morocco (With GPS)
- Chefchaouen (GPS: 35.1714, -5.2696): The “Blue City” — shoot narrow alleys, vibrant doors, and textiles against cerulean walls. Best light is early morning or overcast days.
- Marrakech Medina (GPS: 31.6295, -7.9811): A labyrinth of textures, lanterns, street vendors, and shadow play. Use a small, discreet lens and shoot at shoulder height.
- Jemaa el-Fnaa Square (GPS: 31.6258, -7.9892): Marrakech’s famous plaza — chaotic by day, magical by night. Capture snake charmers, food stalls, and wide crowd scenes.
- Merzouga & Erg Chebbi Dunes (GPS: 31.1008, -4.0113): The Sahara at its most iconic — towering sand dunes perfect for golden hour and star trails.
- Aït Benhaddou (GPS: 31.0471, -7.1306): A UNESCO-listed ksar with earthen clay architecture — best lit from across the river at sunrise or sunset.
- Fes Medina (GPS: 34.0644, -4.9736): Maze-like alleys, tanneries, and rooftops offer layered compositions and vibrant street life.
- Atlas Mountains (e.g., Imlil: 31.1185, -7.9194): Rugged villages, panoramic ridges, and Berber daily life. Ideal for landscape and cultural documentary work.
Markets, Textiles, and Color Theory
Morocco is a masterclass in color contrast and composition. Shoot local souks for carpets, spices, pottery, and leather goods. Look for repeating patterns and blocks of color — saffron yellow, cobalt blue, deep reds — all under filtered natural light. Use a polarizer to reduce glare on ceramics and metalwork, and don’t be afraid to shoot wide open (f/1.8–f/2.8) for texture-rich bokeh.
Respectfully photograph artisans working at looms, hammering brass, or dyeing wool. Many will welcome a portrait in exchange for a friendly conversation or small tip.
People and Street Photography in Morocco
Morocco is one of the most rewarding — and sensitive — countries for street photography. Many locals prefer not to be photographed, especially women. Always ask before taking portraits, and use discretion in public spaces.
Pro tips:
- Shoot from above in medinas — rooftops and riads offer great angles with fewer interactions
- Use reflective surfaces (mirrors, shop windows) to catch candid scenes
- Zoom in from a distance with a 70–200mm lens for portraits without intrusion
Recommended Camera Gear for Morocco
- Wide-angle lens (14–24mm or 16–35mm): For architecture, narrow streets, desert dunes
- Standard zoom (24–70mm): Flexible and ideal for most city and market scenes
- Fast prime (35mm or 50mm): Perfect for street photography and low-light souks
- Telephoto (70–200mm): For candid portraits and mountain landscapes
- Tripod: Small and light — mainly for night shots, dunes, or Milky Way photography
- ND/polarizing filters: Control glare and allow creative long exposures in bright sun
Sample 7-Day Photography Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech, explore medina textures, shoot Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk
- Day 2: Sunrise shoot in Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs, afternoon in souks
- Day 3: Cross Atlas Mountains to Aït Benhaddou — shoot golden hour and blue hour
- Day 4: Head to Merzouga, photograph Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and stars after dark
- Day 5: Sunrise camel shoot, then return via Todra Gorge or Dades Valley
- Day 6: Explore Fes — rooftops, tanneries, and medina alleys
- Day 7: Wrap up in Chefchaouen — early light in blue alleys, textiles, doorways, and portraits
Post-Processing Tips for Moroccan Imagery
- Protect color integrity: Use subtle vibrance rather than full saturation to enhance Moroccan tones
- Shadow control: Souks and alleys are high contrast — use selective dodging and masking
- Skin tones: If shooting portraits, watch for color casts from surrounding fabrics or walls
- Grain: Add texture to portraits to reflect the grit and earthiness of the surroundings
Final Thoughts: Morocco Through a Photographic Lens
Morocco is a country of rhythm — not just in sound, but in pattern, light, and human connection. It’s a place where shadows dance, colors pulse, and every scene has narrative weight. If you approach it with respect, curiosity, and patience, Morocco will offer you a portfolio full of beauty, tension, and soul — images that feel as alive as the streets they came from.