Morocco is, for many photographers, the most consistently rewarding photographic destination in the world. The combination of elements that creates exceptional photographs (extraordinary natural light, dramatic landscapes, ancient architectural environments, vivid traditional crafts and markets, and human subjects of remarkable visual interest) is present at a density and variety that no other country quite matches. This guide covers the best places to photograph in Morocco with notes on the optimal light and timing for each.
Erg Chebbi at the golden hour
The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga during the hour before sunset and the 30 minutes after sunrise provide the most dramatic desert photography conditions available anywhere in Morocco. The low-angle light creates strong shadows across the dune ridges, revealing the full three-dimensional complexity of the dune forms. The colour transitions during this period (from deep amber through copper to rust and back to gold) are extraordinary in their speed and intensity. The classic composition places a camel silhouette in the middle distance against the dune ridge. Our Explora Marruecos Rutas Home includes specific photography time at Erg Chebbi.
Chefchaouen at dawn
The blue streets of Chefchaouen are at their most photographically compelling in the hour after dawn, when the directional morning light creates strong shadows in the narrow alleys and the blue paint has a depth and saturation that the flat midday light completely removes. The first 90 minutes after sunrise, between 6:30 and 8:00am depending on the season, are the golden period for Chefchaouen photography. Getting up at 5:30am seems like a significant sacrifice, but the experience of walking through the deserted blue medina in that first light, with the silence broken only by the call to prayer, is one of those travel experiences that rewards the effort disproportionately.
The Chouara tannery in Fes
The Chouara tannery in Fes medina, visible from the balconies of surrounding leather shops, is one of the world’s most photographically distinctive industrial environments. The circular stone vats filled with natural dyes, the workers moving between them in rhythms unchanged since the 11th century, and the surrounding jumble of leather workshops and medieval alleyways create an immediately compelling visual composition. The best light at the tanneries is between 9am and 11am, when the sun is high enough to illuminate the vat interiors but not so high that the colours flatten.
Djemaa el-Fna at evening
The Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech transforms into a vast outdoor theatre at sunset. The optimal time is the blue hour just after sunset, when the sky retains its blue colour but the food stalls have started lighting their lamps and starting their cooking, creating golden plumes of smoke against the deep blue. The position from a terrace café (Café de France or Café Glacier) gives you the best perspective. UNESCO – Medina of Marrakech has additional information about the historic medina.
Ait Benhaddou at golden hour
Ait Benhaddou photographs spectacularly in late afternoon, when the low sun makes the towers glow with intense orange-red. The classic composition includes the river in the foreground, the towers in the middle ground, and the desert plain in the background. TripAdvisor Merzouga has the official UNESCO information about this remarkable landmark.
Practical tips for Morocco photography
Bring a UV filter on each lens for sand protection. Use the rule of changing lenses indoors when possible. The desert sand penetrates everything; clean your equipment thoroughly each evening. Shoot in RAW for the desert sunset which has extreme dynamic range. A polariser helps in the medina alleys to control reflections off shop displays. For Milky Way photography from the desert: wide-angle lens at f/2.8, ISO 3200, 20-second exposure. For all our photography-friendly tour options, see tours from Marrakech and our blog.
