Best Photo Spots in Marrakech: 12 Places and When to Shoot

The best photo spots in Marrakech are the Jardin Majorelle, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia, the rooftops around Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, the Menara gardens and the Palmeraie, plus a few lesser-known corners like the Mellah and the ramparts. The secret is less where you go than when: gardens and monuments early in the morning, walls and palms at golden hour, the square at blue hour. Here are 12 spots with timing and etiquette tips.

Before you start: light and etiquette

Marrakech light is strong. Between late morning and mid-afternoon it flattens colours and creates hard shadows, especially from spring to autumn. Plan your shooting around two windows: opening time for popular sites, and the last hour before sunset for outdoor scenes.

Etiquette matters as much as light:

• Ask before photographing people. A smile and a gesture toward the camera are enough. Respect a no.
• Performers expect a tip on Jemaa el-Fna if you photograph them, including musicians and animal handlers.
• Shopkeepers often agree if you show interest in their craft, but ask first.
• Mosques are not open to non-Muslims, apart from rare exceptions; photograph them from outside.
• Drones are strictly regulated in Morocco; check the rules before you travel.

Gardens and palaces

1. Jardin Majorelle

The cobalt blue villa (often called Majorelle blue), yellow pots, cacti and bamboo make this the most famous frame in the city. Book the earliest slot to avoid crowds; ticketing rules change, so check the official site. A wide lens helps for the villa, a short telephoto for details of the plants against the blue.

2. Ben Youssef Madrasa

The central courtyard, with its pool, carved cedar and stucco, is pure symmetry. Stand at the end of the pool for the reflection. Small upper rooms around the courtyard give interesting framed views.

3. Bahia Palace

Painted ceilings, zellige tiles and courtyards with orange trees. Look up as much as around. Arrive early, as groups fill the rooms later in the morning.

4. Le Jardin Secret

A restored riad garden with a tower that offers a view over medina rooftops. Good for calm, green images right in the middle of the souks.

5. Menara gardens

The classic postcard: the green-roofed pavilion behind its basin, with the Atlas behind on clear days (best in winter). Come at golden hour and hope for still water for a reflection.

Medina streets and landmarks

6. Koutoubia

The minaret is photogenic from the gardens beside it, with palms and roses in the foreground. Late afternoon light warms the stone.

7. Jemaa el-Fna from a rooftop

From a terrace above the square at blue hour, you capture smoke from the grills, lights coming on and the minaret in the distance. A small tripod or a steady rail helps for low light; check the terrace allows it.

8. The souks

Lanterns, babouches, spice pyramids and shafts of light falling through slatted roofs. Shoot at a respectful distance, keep moving with the flow and ask before photographing a stall closely.

9. Rahba Kedima and the Mellah

The spice square is colourful at street level and from cafe terraces. Nearby, the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, has quieter streets and balconied houses with a different character from the rest of the medina.

10. Bab Agnaou and the ramparts

The carved stone gate of Bab Agnaou and the long earth walls glow at golden hour. The ramparts are best photographed from the road outside, which is easy to reach on a motorcycle.

Beyond the medina

11. The Palmeraie

Slanting light through palm trunks, dusty tracks and occasional camels. There is no fixed viewpoint; you need to move around, which makes it ideal for a ride. More in our guide to the Palmeraie in Marrakech.

12. Gueliz

The new town offers a different Marrakech: wide avenues, cafes, galleries and 20th-century buildings. Good for street photography with fewer tourists.

Planning a photo route

Time	Spot	Light
Opening	Majorelle, Bahia, Ben Youssef	Soft, few people
Late morning	Souks, Jardin Secret	Shade, light shafts
Midday	Rest, or covered souks	Hard light outside
Golden hour	Menara, ramparts, Palmeraie, Koutoubia	Warm, low
Blue hour	Jemaa el-Fna rooftop	Lights and smoke

On foot, you will reach the medina spots easily, but Majorelle, the Menara, the ramparts and the Palmeraie are far apart. A motorcycle ride lets you chase the golden hour across several of them in one go. With Warider, a 2-hour ride in Marrakech costs a fixed 350 MAD and a 3-hour ride 480 MAD, paid in cash to the rider at the end; tell your rider you want photo stops. Local riders also publish tours with mapped routes and stops on the Marrakech tours page.

For a full schedule including the photo spots, see our Marrakech one day itinerary, and for evening light, our best sunset spots in Marrakech.

Gear and safety tips

• Travel light: a phone or a compact camera with one zoom lens covers almost everything.
• On a motorbike, use a wrist strap and never shoot while the bike is moving in traffic; ask your rider to stop.
• Protect your gear from dust, especially in the Palmeraie.
• Keep your bag in front of you in crowded places.
• Check entrance fees and opening hours locally, as they change.

Marrakech rewards patience: wait for the light, ask with a smile and let the city come to you. The best images are often the ones you did not plan.