Capturing the Charm: 12 Best Photo Spots in Marrakesh and Essaouira
Morocco, with its vibrant culture, rich history and stunning landscapes, is a photographer's paradise. After spending 12 days on the road, from the coastal Tangier and the blue city Chefchaouen in north Morocco, through the cultural capital Fes and the Sahara sand dunes, we headed westward to Marrakesh on day 13, and spent the last 5 days there and a coastal town, Essaouira.
Full moon rise, Essaouira
From bustling markets to coastal landscapes, Marrakesh and Essaouira offer a myriad of opportunities to capture Morocco’s charm. The following are some best photo spots to either practice your photography skills or create visual masterpieces in these two very different cities.
Marrakesh Photo Spots (Day 13, 14, 16, 17)
Marrakesh, probably one of the most visited cities in Morocco by foreign tourists, is renowned for its bustling souks, historic palaces, and vibrant street life. The medina of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage site, although slightly easier to navigate than the medina in Fes, is a labyrinthine network of narrow alleys and vibrant squares.
1. Restaurant Amasia
Restaurant Amasia was not the most known place in Marrakesh, but was my top favorite photo spot. It was steps away from Riad L'Aziza, our first accommodation in Marrakesh on Day 13 and 14.
We got sick in turn since Fes, and were not in great shape when we arrived in Marrakesh. So we simply wanted to have dinner somewhere nearby. Amasia turned out to give us the best panorama view of Marrakesh. Even better, we had the whole rooftop to ourselves.
2. Riad L'Aziza
Marrakesh is not short of nice riads or resort hotels. Riad L’Aziza was a hidden gem in the middle of medina.
Compared to the previous riads and dars we stayed in Morocco, Riad L’Aziza scored high on its visual elegance.
It didn’t have a great rooftop view, but its nearby Amasia restaurant made up for it.
3. Badi Palace
A majestic ruin that whispers tales of its former grandeur, with vast courtyards surrounded by towering walls adorned with intricate stucco and tilework, providing a captivating glimpse into Morocco's rich architectural history.
I visited this site on my own on our last day in Morocco, and was completely in awe of its atmosphere. It was not as crowded as Bahia Palace, perhaps a reason I liked it better.
4. Ben Youssef Madrasa
A historic Islamic college, Ben Youssef Madrasa is a treasure trove of intricate tilework, arches, and serene courtyards. It was hard to get a clean shot without tourists in the background, but we still enjoyed the scene.
5. Bahia Palace
A true masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, Bahia Palace boasts ornate courtyards, vibrant gardens, and artfully decorated rooms that showcase the opulence of the 19th-century aristocracy.
Its exquisite tile work, ceilings with rich colors and patterns embedded in every corner of this regal palace well manifested Morocco’s rich cultural heritage.
Again, crowd was the major challenge to photograph this beautiful place. The above two ceiling shots were my quick solution to bypass the tourist poses and selfies in every corner.
6. Menara Pavilion
A refined architectural gem surrounded by the tranquil Menara Gardens, offering a serene escape just outside the bustling Marrakesh.
With its elegant design, the pavilion stands as a testament to Moroccan craftsmanship, providing visitors with a peaceful retreat amidst the beauty of nature.
7. Cyber Park
Similar to Restaurant Amasia, this was another random find. We were planning to visit Koutoubia Mosque, a significant religious site and a remarkable architectural marvel. But the mosque was closed due to damages by the earthquake a few month earlier.
Instead of walking back through the busy souk, we stopped by Cyber Park, which was right next to Koutoubia.
What a serene escape amidst lush gardens! Even better, Cyber Park offered free wifi, probably a high plus for digital nomads. If you want to take a pause and recharge after walking among the busy crowd in the medina and nearby streets, this would be a perfect stop.
Bear in mind, we had been traveling in different parts of Morocco for almost 2 weeks, and had seen quite some historical and cultural sites. If you only have a few days or a week in Morocco, and want to soak in more historical Morocco scenes, this might not be your spot.
8. Medina Souk
If you’ve been to Marrakesh, you may either agree or ask “really?” I got you. Rather than a picture perfect spot, the souk in Marrakesh medina was one of the most challenging photo spots for me.
Even we had well prepared ourselves in the Fes medina, which was a bigger maze, the crowd in Marrakesh was at another level. We found ourselves stuck back to back with tourists and locals in the souk near Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square in Marrakesh. It was near the end of November, not the peak travel season. I couldn’t imagine what the crowd might look like in popular travel months.
However, if you were patient enough, and managed to find some space, take a deep breath and look around. Enjoy the kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and activities. Capture the energy of vendors, the intricate details of handmade crafts, the contrast of light and shadows, or anything that jumps to your attention in this dynamic setting.
Photo Tip
Is there a best lens to take photos in crowded scenes? The short answer: any lens could work.
In the previous 22 weeks of our family trip in Europe, we were not short of crowded scenes, often in historic sites or old towns. I’ve used wide angle lens, telephoto lens or anything in between. There is no “must” or “best” formula.
The above set of photos was taken by my Canon RF70-200mm f2.8 telephoto lens. Using a telephoto lens could help you focus on only a small portion of the busy scene, and zone in details. It helps you create a relatively cleaner image which typically translates into more effective and impactful visual story telling.
Camera setting wise, use shallow depth of field (ie. wide aperture) to create depth for your photo. Be intentional about the foreground between your lens and your subject for your composition. Blurring the foreground has been my frequently sought after technique for my travel photos in order to create more depth.
Of course, the drawback of using telephoto lens in a busy scene is the risk of anyone walking into your frame. Therefore, you have to be quick.
If you’d like to learn more about my fool-proof DSLR or mirrorless camera settings and compositions, particularly for candid travel photos, check out my free video training.
Not sure which lens to invest in for your mirrorless camera? Check out my lens portfolio.
9. Jardin Majorelle
This is honorable mention as we weren’t able to see it. Nestled in the heart of Marrakesh, Jardin Majorelle is a botanical garden that boasts vibrant blue buildings, exotic plants, and artistic displays.
We showed up on our first day in Marrakesh, but it only accepted online tickets and required visitors to book time slots in advance. There was a big crowd at the entrance. Many people didn’t know this either.
We tried to book online right outside but the tickets for that day were sold out. We weren’t able to find a proper day and time slot during our second visit to Marrakesh after Essaouira.
We did however walk around the neighborhood. It was quite modern, and looked completely different from the medina.
Essaouira Photo Spots (Day 15)
Essaouira, situated along the Atlantic coast of Morocco, is a picturesque coastal town known for its well-preserved historic medina, charming blue-and-white architecture, and vibrant arts scene.
We split our Marrakesh stay into half, and squeezed in a full day tour (on day 15) in the coastal Essaouira. It happened to be a full moon night, and the beach town was a lot quieter than Marrakesh.
We even learned to appreciate our walk in the souk, as we didn’t have to stick to people’s backs and move in baby steps as we did in Marrakesh.
Our kids also had a nice swim in our riad’s heated pool. Had I known it earlier, we would have stayed in Essaouira longer.
10. Riad Tamayourt Ocean View
Riad Tamayourt Ocean View was not located in Essaouira but just over 10 minutes drive outside the town.
It took us some time to find it, as the GPS didn’t guide us to the correct direction, and we had to drive on a dirt road for a while.
When we found the riad, it was a pleasant surprise. We got two rooms, each artfully decorated by the owner. There were still unfinished projects on the rooftop, but the panoramic view of the coast and surroundings was stunning.
I was able to photograph full moon rise during sunset on the first evening, and full moon set during sunrise on the second morning. It was a short and pleasant stay.
As usual, we felt pampered by the full-table breakfast in the riad.
11. Essaouira Medina
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the medina of Essaouira offers a unique blend of Moroccan, Portuguese, and French influences, showcasing a harmonious mix of cultural and architectural elements that have contributed to its historical significance and appeal.
The streets in Essaouira Medina were a lot wider than any other medinas we had visited, such as in Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakesh. Essaouira had a unique seaside vibe, and was more relaxing.
12. Essaouira Port
For a unique perspective of Essaouira's harbor, photograph the traditional blue fishing boats with medina in the background, and the seagulls in the sky.
It might be a bit messy to walk around, but the coastal charm of Essaouira you likely will capture is well worth it.
Marrakesh and Essaouira, with their distinct personalities, offer a visual feast for photographers. Each city provides a diverse range of photo spots waiting to be explored. The above 12 photo spots are in no way an exhaustive list, but can give you a starting point to enjoy your photo journey.
This wraps up our 17-day road trip in Morocco. We flew out of Marrakesh on day 18 for our next destination: Ireland.
Please see our road trip map and my suggested photo spots in other parts of on our Morocco journey, including:
If you are interested in mirrorless camera or DSLR photography but don’t know how to choose, check out my Mirrorless Camera Buying Guide.
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From the vibrant markets to the coastal allure, Marrakesh and Essaouira of Morocco provide a diverse range of photo spots waiting to be explored.