Marrakech is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Therefore it's unsurprisingly a total dream destination for photographers! From the vibrant colours of the souks to the oh so aesthetic restaurants, there's plenty to see, do, and shoot.
It's the kind of city where there's just so much to capture, that I'd recommend heading out, camera in hand, and seeing what you can discover. However if you're short on time, or looking for a cheat sheet to the most photogenic spots, I'm here to help. I've put together this ultimate guide featuring the best Instagram locations in Marrakech, to help you capture the very prettiest spots in the city.
Notes on Marrakech
- If you're travelling to Marrakech with photography in mind, I'd recommend at least 4-5 nights to capture everything without having to rush too much. That said, we were there for 5 and I still missed things I wanted to shoot!
- Marrakech is a busy, bustling city, so keep in mind that you'll likely be battling crowds. Either start early, or embrace the people as part of the aesthetic.
- As destinations go, I found Marrakech a fairly photo friendly city. For the most part no one seemed to bat an eyelid - I guess they're pretty used to it! However keep in mind that certain sights may have rules on using certain tech / shooting for commercial purposes. For example we were unable to use our camera gimbal at the Medersa Ben Youssef.
- When shooting shops in the souks, you'll usually get away with a quick snap, but if launching into a full-blown shoot it's polite to ask shop owners for permission first. Most are happy to oblige, and those that aren't usually have a "no photos" sign. Though not obligatory, it's worth considering buying something small as a gesture of appreciation.
- Make sure to check timings and opening hours for sights to avoid disappointment.
- Morocco is a more conservative destination, so opting for modest dress is recommended to avoid unwanted attention. Check out my post on what to wear in Morocco as a female traveller for more tips.
- Looking for hotels in Marrakech? Check out my top picks here
The 10 Best Instagram Locations in Marrakech
01. Medersa Ben Youssef
Of all the Instagram locations in Marrakech, we're starting off strong with my very favourite. This stunning 14th century religious school in the heart of the Medina is one of the most fascinating things to do in Marrakech. Plus, it's also one of the most photogenic! One of the most spectacular examples of Islamic architecture, the walls are covered in intricately patterned tiles and ornate carvings. Plus you can head up to the first floor for a birds-eye view down over the courtyard, and to explore the different rooms.
I'd recommend visiting at 9am opening to enjoy Medersa Ben Youssef without the crowds. However if it's busy, never fear. You may struggle with wide shots, but there's plenty of close up compositions in the space, such as this against one of the gorgeous carved doors. You can see all the different shots I took on my visit here - it's a real photographer's paradise, I had so much fun capturing all the beautiful details!
02. Jardin Majorelle
If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say that the most popular place to take photos in Marrakech is probably Jardin Majorelle. The garden was created in the 1930s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, and purchased by Yves Saint Laurent in the 1980s. It's iconic villa (painted in the eponymous "Majorelle Blue"), surrounded by lush greenery and soaring cacti, is one of the most photo-worthy spots in Marrakech. There's countless photo opps around every corner. I've included a shot from the villa looking out, however there are also a number of angles from the garden looking back onto the villa. It gets extremely busy, so you may need to get creative with angles (or Photoshop!).
Make sure to book your tickets online in advance here. I'd recommend booking for opening or closing, and turning up in advance of your slot as queues form, and it gets busy FAST.
03. El Badi Palace
In my opinion, El Badi Palace is one of the most underrated Instagram locations in Marrakech. Sure, relatively it's not the most spectacular, but what it lacks in awe-inspiringness (okay that's not a word, but you get my drift), it makes up for in lack of crowds. In fact, it's an oasis of peace compared to the throngs of tourists at say, Jardin Majorelle, particularly if you visit at opening (a common theme!).
The once grand palace is sadly largely ruins, hosting a small exhibition on the history of Marrakech. It's also home to the minbar (pulpit) of the Koutoubia mosque, intricately carved by 12th century Cordoban woodworkers. Ultimately there's not masses to see, however there is one open space (pictured) that has slightly more architectural interest, boasting classic Moroccan zellige tiles. Thanks to the stone formations and patterned flooring it's a really unique place to capture. There are stairs allowing you to take a picture from above and capture the scale of the space - or play around with composition at ground level.
04. Place de Épices
It's hard to come to Marrakech and not take pictures of the vibrant, colourful souks! There are countless Instagram spots around every corner of the medina, from stalls adorned with golden lanterns, to bold printed crockery, and plenty in-between.
One of my favourite areas in the souks for taking pictures is Place des Épices, aka the spice market. It's a big open courtyard brimming with beautiful stalls. The most iconic is this spice shop (pictured) - unfortunately I didn't get the name, but it's easy to spot! The staff are very friendly and happy to let you take pictures, but do ask for permission first. Plus make sure to have a browse for lots of lovely spices to take home afterwards.
Read More: The Marrakech Travel Guide
05. Le Jardin Secret
Another gorgeous garden and must-do Instagram location in Marrakech is Le Jardin Secret. It's split into two parts - the exotic garden and the Islamic garden. Though both are beautiful, the latter is arguably the more photogenic, with a large patterned pergola and rich green printed tiles. There's countless photo spots to be discovered throughout the garden - every corner is Instagrammable! It's a good one to visit if you're looking for more minimal photo compositions, as the taupe textured walls make for a simple yet compelling backdrop.
06. The Riads
The most beautiful places to discover (and photograph!) in Marrakech may come as a surprise, but it's actually the hotels. Known as Riads, Marrakech boasts countless stunning hotels formed around a central courtyard and decorated in both modern and traditional Moroccan styles. They range from budget to luxury, and are known for stunning interiors and warm Moroccan hospitality.
I stayed at budget-friendly Riad Dar Dada and the opulent La Sultana (pictured), both of which were heaving with photo opps. Other aesthetic Riads in Marrakech include Riad Yasmine, Riad Be, and Riad Tarabel.
Shop my Marrakech Outfits
07. The Medina
Much like the souks that lie within them, the Medina (aka the old town, housed within the city walls) has plenty of photogenic Instagram spots around every corner. My best piece of advice would be to head out with your camera and just wander! There's so much to see and shoot, from bustling city streets to unique Islamic architecture details.
One of the prettiest corners I found on my trip was this striking archway framing one of the streets. You can find this spot just around the corner from the entrance to the Medersa Ben Youssef. I stumbled upon it in the middle of the day when the light was quite harsh. I'd recommend trying morning or early evening to avoid harsh shadows.
08. Les Jardins du Lotus
Marrakech is full of Instagrammable restaurants, so much so that I've dedicated a whole separate post to them. However if I had to pick the very prettiest, it would be Les Jardins du Lotus. This gorgeous expansive restaurant is swathed in shades of pink and green, with floral tilework and vibrant foliage surrounding a bright blue pool. Whether anyone actually goes in the pool I don't know, but it looks great! The standout however is the bar, framed by a striking pink arch and extravagant chandelier. It's not just photo-friendly, it also does fabulous cocktails.
I visited at lunch without a reservation and the restaurant was fairly empty, making it ideal to get snaps. However it looks far more fun at night, when the DJ plays and the party gets started!
Read More: The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Marrakech
09. Bahia Palace
Another example of Moroccan architecture and one of the most beautiful Instagram locations in Marrakech is Bahia Palace. Built in the late 19th century it's fairly modern by Marrakech standards, but still suitably impressive. There's a number of rooms to explore, including picturesque open courtyards and gardens. In terms of photo opps, you've got plenty to snap, from gilded doorframes to yet more extravagant tile work.
I visited half an hour before closing and it was pretty busy, however was able to capture a few photos at the end when people were starting to move on. It definitely takes some patience though! Bahia Palace is close by to El Badi Palace, so the two could be easily combined.
10. The Doors of Marrakech
If there's one thing I never tire of capturing, it's picturesque doors. I love anything with ornate detailing, or a unique shape. And luckily, there's plenty at every turn in Marrakech. You won't struggle to find a door (or twelve) to snap your ootd in front of, or just appreciate in all their grandeur.
This particular door that I've featured was spotted on the walk between Bahia and El Badi Palaces. I didn't note down the exact location, but it's easy to spot. It's just one of a number of gorgeous Marrakech doors that are now clogging up my camera roll! Petition to make our bog-standard boring front doors more exciting like this please.
I could probably keep writing this list endlessly, as I snapped so many pictures from Marrakech! However 10 seems like a sensible place to stop (for now). An honourable mention goes to the stunning La Mamounia Hotel, which I didn't get round to visiting on my most recent trip, however can attest to it's extreme photogenic-ness.
I hope this guide to the best Instagram locations in Marrakech has been helpful! Let me know your favourites, or alternatively any spots I've missed. And be sure to follow along on Instagram for lots more travel tips and photography.
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