Morocco packs dunes, mountain gorges, blue-washed streets and walled medinas into one country, which is why a Morocco photography tour suits landscape and street photographers alike. This guide covers Morocco travel photos worth chasing, Morocco landscape photography in the Sahara and Atlas, Morocco street photography in the medinas and the rules for photographing people. Advice comes from GOV.UK, Wikipedia and several photography blogs, and the sources do not always agree.
Morocco Photography Tour: What to Expect
- Length: In Africa and Beyond says the average Morocco photography tour lasts about eight days, usually based in Marrakech with day trips or overnight excursions. It suggests 14 days to cover more regions
- Why guided: the same source says guided tours simplify logistics and give access to remote areas
- Best seasons: it names spring and autumn as ideal for a Morocco photography tour
- Why Morocco: it points to varied terrain within one country and low light pollution in the Sahara
- A guide in the medina: Goats on the Road says guides are known and respected in the Fez and Marrakesh medinas and can open doors
Morocco Travel Photos: Best Places at a Glance
These are the places that appear again and again in photography guides:
| Place | What to shoot | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Erg Chebbi | Dunes up to 150 m | Sunrise and sunset, October to April |
| Aït Benhaddou | Earthen ksar | Shoot from across the stream |
| Todra and Dadès Gorges | Red cliffs, switchback road | Dadès road from the auberge at the top |
| Ouzoud Falls | Waterfall | Sunset, after most visitors leave |
| Chefchaouen | Blue streets | Early morning, or November to March |
| Fes | Medina, tannery | Hire a guide on day one |
| Marrakech | Souks, Jemaa el-Fna | Souks early, Koutoubia at sunset |
| Essaouira | Harbour, alleyways | Market and harbour life |
Morocco Landscape Photography in the Sahara
Erg Chebbi runs about 28 km north to south, with dunes rising to 150 m, according to Wikipedia. It is the classic setting for Morocco landscape photography:
- Golden hours: Secret Escapes names golden hour as the key time here, and TravelAwaits advises trekking into the dunes early for sunrise
- Season: Wikipedia and Pixeo give October to April as the milder months. Pixeo adds that midday light is harsh
- Camel silhouettes: Pixeo describes a caravan crossing the dunes against the setting sun, with footprints as leading lines. Goats on the Road suggests a person looking over the dunes for scale
- Untouched sand: Brendan’s Adventures advises walking away from your hotel to find sand that has not been trampled, and spending a night in a desert camp
- Tripod: Secret Escapes suggests cup lids under the tripod feet so they do not sink into sand
- Night sky: Pixeo recommends planning around a new moon for the Milky Way, and says December to February brings clear skies
Sand gets into everything, so change lenses as little as possible and keep your gear bagged between shots. Our Sahara Desert guide shows where the dunes sit on the map.
Morocco Landscape Photography in the Atlas and Gorges
- Aït Benhaddou: Aït Benhaddou has been a UNESCO site since 1987, per Wikipedia, and has appeared in films such as Gladiator. TravelAwaits suggests shooting from across the stream, while Brendan’s Adventures says the classic view is from the road into town and that you cannot see much from the top
- Todra Gorge: Brendan’s Adventures mentions long exposures of the water, and TravelAwaits mentions red cliffs and palms
- Dadès Gorges: TravelAwaits recommends leaning over the edge at the auberge at the top to capture the switchback road
- Ouzoud Falls: Secret Escapes says to wait until most visitors have left for sunset shots
- Imlil: Secret Escapes names the Assif Imnane Valley, with Amazigh villages, and recommends a guide
For trails in the mountains, see our guide to trekking in the Atlas Mountains.
Morocco Street Photography in the Medinas
Morocco street photography is strongest in the old cities, where light falls in shafts through covered souks:
- Marrakech souks: Brendan’s Adventures calls them the place for “crazy bouncing light and shadows” and suggests going first thing in the morning as shops open
- Jemaa el-Fna: the same source calls it fairly tame by day and alive at night with food stalls and performers
- Fes: it says to tread slowly, and TravelAwaits recommends a guide to reach the best sights. Brendan’s Adventures also advises a balcony for a tannery overview, and negotiating the price before you go up
- Chefchaouen: Brendan’s Adventures says most people do not hit the medina streets until 8 to 9 am, so go earlier
- Lenses: Brendan’s Adventures recommends a fast 35 or 50 mm prime and an ultra-wide for alleys. Goats on the Road says a zoom helps you go unnoticed, but Brendan’s Adventures says a telephoto feels like paparazzi photography
- Rooftops: Goats on the Road suggests guesthouse rooftops for views into alleys
Our things to do in Marrakech list covers where to point the camera.
Photographing People: Etiquette and Rules
GOV.UK says to always ask permission before taking pictures of people, especially children, and that it is illegal to take photographs near sensitive political or military sites.
- Ask first: Journal of Nomads calls asking permission the first and most important rule, and Brendan’s Adventures says wide street scenes do not need it
- Build rapport: Goats on the Road suggests chatting before raising the camera, and smiling and moving on if the answer is no
- Show the photo: Journal of Nomads says showing the result often relaxes people
- Payment: Goats on the Road calls a request for money commonplace and suggests about 10 dirhams. Brendan’s Adventures prefers buying something small from a shop
- Jemaa el-Fna: Marocmama advises 5 to 10 dirhams for performers and never more than 20
- Children: Brendan’s Adventures says not to give children money or candy for photos, and Journal of Nomads says to always ask a parent
- Women: Journal of Nomads found that most women wanted to hide their faces and shot some scenes from behind
- Commercial use: the same source says you cannot use a portrait commercially without consent
- Fes warning: Brendan’s Adventures says he has seen tourists have things thrown at them for taking photos without asking
Drones and Gear Rules
- Drones: GOV.UK says you must get permission from the Directorate General for Civil Aviation. Germany’s Federal Foreign Office goes further, saying importing any drone is strictly banned and customs confiscate it. Check before you pack one
- Lenses: TravelAwaits suggests a tripod, a wide-angle lens for landscapes and a zoom for street life
- Apertures: Goats on the Road suggests f8 to f16 for landscapes and f2.8 or wider for portraits
- Memory cards: TravelAwaits advises bringing extra ones for a day in Fes
Best Time for Morocco Photography Tours
- Spring and autumn: In Africa and Beyond calls them ideal, with green Atlas scenery in spring
- Winter: it notes snow-capped Atlas peaks, and Pixeo says winter brings clear skies in Merzouga
- Avoid peak heat: TravelAwaits advises avoiding late May to mid-September
- Crowds: TravelAwaits says Chefchaouen is quieter from November to March
Month-by-month detail is in our guide to the best time to visit Morocco, and our guide on what to wear in Morocco helps you dress for the shoot.
A Sahara Photo Trip with SaharaVia
SaharaVia, a family-run operator based in Errachidia, the gateway to the Sahara, plans private desert trips, so mention that photography is your priority when you get in touch:
- Camps: standard, upgraded luxury or Premium VIP, all with a private washroom and shower
- Dune time: a sunset camel ride (or a 4×4 if you prefer), Berber drums and dinner at camp, and free sandboards
- Routes: the 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga tour and the Fes to Marrakech desert tour link the cities and the dunes
- Transport: private transfers in a Toyota TX, Mercedes Vito, V-Class or Sprinter, with pick-up usually at 8:00 am and WhatsApp updates
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Morocco photography tour include? In Africa and Beyond lists Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Erg Chebbi, Aït Benhaddou and Essaouira among typical locations, over about eight days.
Where are the best Morocco travel photos taken? Erg Chebbi, Aït Benhaddou, the Todra and Dadès Gorges, Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech appear in most photography guides.
When is the best time for Morocco landscape photography? Spring and autumn suit most regions, and October to April suits the dunes. Sunrise and sunset give the best light.
Is Morocco street photography allowed? Yes, but ask before photographing people, especially children, and avoid sensitive political or military sites, per GOV.UK.
Do you have to pay for photos in Morocco? Sometimes. Performers in Jemaa el-Fna expect a few dirhams, and some bloggers prefer to buy something small instead.
Can you fly a drone in Morocco? GOV.UK requires permission from the Directorate General for Civil Aviation, and Germany’s Federal Foreign Office says importing drones is strictly banned.
Do you need a guide for the medinas? Not required, but Brendan’s Adventures and TravelAwaits recommend one in Fes, and Goats on the Road says guides can open doors in the medinas.
Conclusion
A Morocco photography tour rewards early starts, patience and polite conversation. Chase the golden hours in the Sahara, wander the medinas in the morning and always ask before you photograph people. To shape a private trip around the light, contact SaharaVia and it will send an itinerary and a quote.