The best photography spots in Morocco are the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunrise, Ait Ben Haddou at sunset, Chefchaouen's blue lanes in the early morning, the Fes tanneries and Marrakech rooftops over Jemaa el-Fnaa. Light and timing matter most.
The best photography spots in Morocco combine extraordinary settings with great light: the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunrise, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou at sunset, the blue lanes of Chefchaouen early in the morning, the Chouara tannery in Fes and the rooftops above Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech at dusk. Below are 15 places our drivers stop at again and again for guests with cameras, with the best time of day, etiquette and the rules you need to know, including drones.
15 best photography spots in Morocco at a glance
This table summarises where to go, when to shoot and one practical tip for each place, based on years of trips with photographers and Instagram-loving travellers.
| Spot | Region | Best time of day | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erg Chebbi dunes | Merzouga, Sahara | Sunrise | Climb a high dune 30 minutes before sunrise |
| Ait Ben Haddou | Near Ouarzazate | Late afternoon and sunset | Shoot from across the Ounila river |
| Chefchaouen blue medina | Rif mountains | 7–9 am | Empty lanes before day-trippers arrive |
| Spanish Mosque viewpoint | Chefchaouen | Sunset | 20–30 minute walk up from Ras el-Maa |
| Jemaa el-Fnaa from a rooftop | Marrakech | Blue hour | Order a drink on a café terrace facing the square |
| Koutoubia Mosque | Marrakech | Golden hour | Frame it from the Lalla Hasna gardens |
| Majorelle Garden | Marrakech | Opening time | Book online for the first slot |
| Ben Youssef Madrasa | Marrakech | Morning | Symmetric shots from the pool's end |
| Chouara tannery | Fes | Mid-morning | Vats are full and colourful in the morning |
| Merinid tombs | Fes | Sunset | Panorama of the whole Fes el-Bali medina |
| Dades Gorge switchbacks | Dades valley | Afternoon | Shoot down from the café at the top |
| Todra Gorge | Near Tinghir | Late morning | Sun reaches the narrow canyon floor around midday |
| Essaouira port and ramparts | Atlantic coast | Morning and sunset | Blue fishing boats and seagulls |
| Hassan II Mosque | Casablanca | Dusk | Ocean waves and lit minaret |
| Kasbah Amridil | Skoura oasis | Morning | Palm grove framing the towers |
Marrakech: rooftops, gardens and souks
Marrakech rewards photographers who move with the light. Mornings are for gardens and monuments; evenings belong to the medina.
Jemaa el-Fnaa at blue hour
The classic shot is from a café terrace on the edge of the square just after sunset, when the food stalls light up and smoke rises against a deep blue sky. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset to get a table at the railing. Read our Jemaa el-Fnaa guide for the history and the best evening rhythm.
Koutoubia, Majorelle and Ben Youssef
The 77-metre Koutoubia minaret glows orange in the last hour of light; the rose garden of Lalla Hasna gives you foreground. Majorelle's cobalt blue villa and cactus garden are best right at opening, before the crowds. The Ben Youssef Madrasa, with its carved cedar, stucco and zellige around a central pool, offers some of the most symmetrical compositions in Morocco.
Souks
Shafts of light filtering through the reed roofs of the souks make magical images around midday. Spice pyramids, babouches and lanterns are photogenic, but many sellers prefer you to ask first, or to buy something small.
Sahara and the south: dunes and kasbahs
Erg Chebbi at sunrise and sunset
The Merzouga dunes rise up to about 150 metres and change colour every few minutes at both ends of the day: pink before sunrise, gold soon after, deep orange at sunset. Camel caravans walking along a ridge, footprints in pristine sand and the long shadows of a camp make the most iconic images. Your camp guide knows which dune to climb for an unobstructed view. Our Merzouga desert tours schedule the camel trek precisely for golden hour, and nights in the camp are ideal for Milky Way photography when the moon is small.
Ait Ben Haddou
The UNESCO-listed Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is best photographed from the opposite bank of the Ounila river in the late afternoon, when the earthen walls turn red-gold. After rain, the river creates reflections. Climb to the granary at the top for a view over the plain. More details in our Ait Ben Haddou guide.
Dades and Todra gorges
The famous hairpin road of the Dades Gorge (near Tissadrine) is shot from the café perched above it, best in the afternoon light. The Todra Gorge, with walls up to around 300 metres and only about 10 metres apart at its narrowest, is brightest late morning when the sun reaches the bottom.
Chefchaouen, Fes and the imperial cities
Chefchaouen's blue lanes
Chefchaouen is probably the most Instagrammed town in Morocco. Go out between 7 and 9 am, when lanes are quiet and the light is soft on the blue walls, flower pots and steps. At sunset, walk up to the Spanish Mosque for a panorama of the whole town against the Rif mountains. Our Chefchaouen travel guide covers where to stay and how to get there.
Fes el-Bali
The Chouara tannery is photographed from the terraces of the leather shops that surround it. Mid-morning is best, when the dye pits are freshly filled. Shop owners usually let you in for free in the hope you will browse; a small tip is appreciated if you buy nothing. At sunset, the hill of the Merinid tombs gives the classic view over the medina's thousands of rooftops and minarets.
Coast and capital
- Essaouira – The blue fishing boats in the port in the morning, then the Skala ramparts and their cannons at sunset.
- Casablanca – The Hassan II Mosque, with its 210-metre minaret right on the ocean, is spectacular at dusk.
- Rabat – The white and blue lanes of the Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the Bou Regreg estuary.
Photography etiquette and rules in Morocco
Respect makes for better pictures and better encounters. Here is what we tell every guest:
- Ask before photographing people. A smile and a gesture toward the camera usually works. Many older people, especially women in rural areas, prefer not to be photographed; accept a no gracefully.
- Performers expect a tip. Musicians, water sellers and snake charmers in Jemaa el-Fnaa usually ask for around 10–20 MAD (approx.) per photo; agree before shooting.
- Avoid sensitive sites. Do not photograph police, military installations, border posts or royal palace guards.
- Mosques. Non-Muslims cannot enter most mosques; the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca offers guided visits.
- Drones. Importing a drone requires prior authorisation from the Moroccan authorities. In practice, drones are often seized at the airport and held until departure. Check the latest rules before travel, and leave yours at home if in doubt.
Practical photography tips for Morocco
- Plan around golden hour. In the desert, sunrise and sunset are short: be in position 30 minutes early.
- Protect your gear from sand. Avoid changing lenses in the wind, use a zip bag and a blower, and keep a cloth for dust.
- Bring a wide lens and a short telephoto. Wide for medinas and dunes, 70–200 mm for camel caravans and compressing ridges.
- Use a small tripod. Essential for star trails and the Milky Way in the camp; aim for nights around the new moon.
- Carry spare batteries. Desert camps have limited charging, and cold nights drain batteries faster.
- Travel with flexibility. The best light rarely matches a fixed bus schedule.
All our Morocco private tours can be shaped as photography trips: our drivers know the viewpoints, stop wherever you want, and adjust the day so you are in the right place at the right hour.
Planning a photo-focused journey through Morocco? Tell us which places inspire you and we will send you a free, tailor-made itinerary with the best light in mind within 24 hours. Contact Chahid Voyages Maroc by form or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most Instagrammable place in Morocco?
The Erg Chebbi dunes in Merzouga and the blue medina of Chefchaouen are the two most photographed places in Morocco. Close behind come Ait Ben Haddou at sunset, Majorelle Garden and the rooftops of Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech, the Chouara tannery in Fes and the fishing port of Essaouira. Timing your visit for early morning or golden hour makes the biggest difference.
Can I bring a drone to Morocco?
Not without prior authorisation. Morocco restricts drone imports, and customs frequently seize undeclared drones at the airport, returning them only when you leave the country. Obtaining a permit is complex and mainly for professional shoots. Rules can change, so check with the Moroccan authorities or your embassy before travel, and leave your drone at home if you have no permit.
Is it OK to photograph people in Morocco?
Only with permission. Always ask before taking a portrait, and respect a refusal, which is common among older people and women in rural areas. In tourist spots such as Jemaa el-Fnaa, performers expect a small tip of around 10–20 MAD (approx.) per photo. Never photograph police, military sites or royal palace guards, and be discreet near mosques and shrines.
When is the best light for photography in the Sahara?
The best light in the Sahara is in the 30–45 minutes around sunrise and sunset, when low sun creates long shadows and warm colours on the dunes. Midday light is harsh and flat. At night, the camp is perfect for astrophotography, especially around the new moon. Autumn and spring offer the clearest skies, while spring winds can sometimes add haze.
