Is Morocco Good for Photography?

The variety is extraordinary: the labyrinthine souks and tanneries of Fes, the spice and lantern colours of Marrakech, the all-blue lanes of Chefchaouen, the golden Erg Chebbi dunes and camel caravans, the kasbahs and palm valleys of the south, Aït Benhaddou, the coast at Essaouira, and the Atlas Mountains. Architecture (zellige, carved doors, riad courtyards) and daily life add endless detail.

Warm, low desert and medina light at golden hour is magical, and the textures — leather, spices, tiles, textiles — are a feast.

Shoot the medinas and Chefchaouen early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer crowds; the Sahara at sunrise and sunset for the dunes’ shadows and colour; Aït Benhaddou at golden hour; and rooftops/viewpoints (the Spanish Mosque in Chefchaouen, the Marinid Tombs in Fes, Jemaa el-Fnaa from a café) for cityscapes.

Bring a versatile lens, something for low light (medinas are dim), lens protection against dust/sand in the desert, and a power bank for long days off-grid.

Always ask before photographing people — many will say yes, some will ask for a small tip (agree first to avoid awkwardness), and some will decline, which you must respect. Don’t sneak shots of individuals, and never photograph police, military, government buildings or anything sensitive.

In the souks, some stallholders dislike photos of their goods unless you buy or ask. A smile, a few words and genuine interest get you far warmer portraits than a long lens from across the street.