Marrakech is a feast for any camera, whether you’re snapping the best Marrakech photo spots with your iPhone or a more professional set-up.
From intricate tiled palaces to dreamy desert settings and colourful markets, there’s na Insta-worthy photo opportunity around every corner – it’s just finding time to fit them all in that’s the challenge.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through all of the top photo spots and most Instagrammable places in Marrakech, with a map to help you find them at a glance. Whether you’re visiting the Red City for a week or a weekend, this guide should help you get some drop-dead gorgeous shots during your trip.
I’ve also answered some FAQs about the best Marrakech photo spots at the end of this blog. But if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to let me know in the comments section!
Marrakech Photo Spots at a Glance
Most Instagrammable Riads in Marrakech: The most Instagrammable riads in Marrakech are spots like La Sultana, Riad BE, and Maison Dar Saada.
Best Time for Photography: The best time for photography in Marrakech is early in the morning – arriving at popular sights as soon as they open is ideal.
Top 3 Marrakech Photo Spots: My favourite Marrakech photo spots have to be Ben Youssef Madrasa, Le Jardin Majorelle, and La Sultana Riad.
Top Tip for Marrakech Photography: Take general city shots at sunrise or sunset – Golden hour brings out those rosy, terracotta tones and avoids the harsh midday light.
A Map of the Best Photo Spots in Marrakech
15 of the Best Marrakech Photo Spots in More Detail
1. Ben Youssef Madrasa
Entry cost: 50 MAD (~ £4)
Opening times: 9AM to 7PM
Best time for photos: 9AM
Nestled in the heart of the Medina, Ben Youssef Madrasa is a university built in the 1500s, with enchanting mosaic walls and archways to explore. It’s possibly the most famous of all the Marrakech photo spots – you’ll have definitely seen this one on your Instagram feed.
The whole place is pretty small, but it’s worth walking around the whole thing to snap photos from different perspectives. And don’t forget to get an iconic shot in front of the gorgeous arched doorways.
We were one of the first people in at 9AM and had the whole place to ourselves for a few precious minutes, making it easy to get some stunning photos. You can buy your entry ticket on the door.
2. Jardin Majorelle
Entry cost: 170 MAD (~ £14)
Opening times: 8:30AM to 5PM
Best time for photos: 4PM
This is possibly the second-most famous spot in Marrakech. It’s an oasis-like garden located just outside the medina walls, famed for its striking blue Art Deco art studio and mirage-like collection of plants.
It was originally created by a landscape painter called Jacques Majorelle, but bought by Yves Saint Laurent in 1980, so it’s safe to say the aesthetics here are on point.
It’s important to note you can’t just pop in to this one, you have to book a timed entry slot at least 24hours in advance. This has the advantage that the gardens are never too crowded for photos.
I recommend booking the very first or last slot of the day for soft light and fewer crowds for photos.
There’s also a museum next door dedicated to the famous designer, which is worth poking your head into. You can get a combined ticket for both, which also includes access to the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts.
3. El Badi Palace
Entry cost: 100 MAD (~ £8)
Opening times: 9AM to 5PM
Best time for photos: 9AM
While the beautifully preserved palaces have their charm, El Badi was the wildcard that surprised me. I loved its ruined, kinda archelogical vibe – it’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re on the set of Indiana Jones.
Arriving early is essential if you want to get an iconic photo in the mosaic-tiled courtyard, which you can see in the image above. Once you’ve got your shot, the rest of the palace is open and airy, and shouldn’t take you too long to walk around, I’d say about 30 to 40 minutes max!
Afterwards, you can stop for a coffee in the picturesque Tinsmith Square, or hit some other nearby Marrakech photo spots, including the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs (more info on those below!).
4. Jemaa-el-Fna Square
Entry cost: Free
Opening times: N/A
Best time for photos: Sunset (Golden Hour) or night
Jemaa-el-Fna is the main square in the heart of Marrakech. Here you’ll find plenty of vibrant stalls selling all sorts from spices to leather shoes, with an assault of sights, sounds and smells from every direction.
It’s watched over by the Koutoubia Mosque, and best viewed from above, in one of the rooftop restaurants and cafes that line the square. From here, you can get some fantastic bird’s-eye shots of the hustle and bustle below.
Alternatively, if you prefer more of an ‘action shot’, you can stroll around at ground level, pointing your lens at everything from local street performers to piles of pomegranates at the juice stand.
5. Rooftop Bars and Restaurants
Entry cost: Free
Opening times: N/A
Best time for photos: Sunset
The many rooftop bars of Marrakech make the perfect place to relax, grab a cocktail, and snap pictures as the sun sets over the Red City.
There are loads to choose from, and I wrote a guide to finding the best ones that serve alcohol here.
One of my favourites was Dar Dar Rooftop, which also has a DJ serving up tunes as the sun sets, and sprawling views of the city. Definitely try the Kech Mojito there!
Salama Sky Bar was another lovely option near the square, with a green living ceiling and fab sunset views.
6. Saadian Tombs
Entry cost: 100 MAD (~ £8)
Opening times: 9AM to 5PM
Best time for photos: Morning
Just around the corner from Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs is a small site that’s worth popping into for a few photos.
It was pretty quiet when we popped in after exploring Badi Palace, so you could definitely schedule this one for a little later in the day, if you’re struggling to fit all of the Marrakech photo spots into your itinerary!
The tombs are an intricate tiled necropolis where tombs of 16th-century sultans can be viewed, including a sprawling hall with twelve pillars, the perfect fusion of Moroccan and Andalusian design.
7. Bacha Coffee
Entry cost: Free
Opening times: 10AM to 4PM
Best time for photos: 10AM
Bacha Coffee has exploded on TikTok and Instagram over the past couple of years, and for good reason.
This gorgeous coffee shop is located in the heart of the Medina, right by Le Jardin Secret, and flaunts a stunning tiled interior with ornate wall adornments and vintage furniture.
It’s the sort of place that gathers queues every morning before it even opens its doors, so it’s definitely worth getting there early to secure your spot. If you’re not that organised, they do hand out buzzers so you can wander off while you wait for your table.
8. Bahia Palace
Entry cost: 100 MAD (~ £8)
Opening times: 9AM to 5PM
Best time for photos: 9AM
Bahia Palace is nearby Badi Palace and Saadian Tombs, so it’s possible to tick off all three in one morning (or a day if you prefer to go at a more leisurely pace).
It’s full of colourful tiled courtyards, fountains, and ornate archways that the camera loves. Like a lot of the places on this list, your best chance for fewer crowds is to head there as soon as it opens. However, you can’t be everywhere at once, and you might only have a couple of days in Marrakech.
Therefore, you could try the Bahia Palace at mid-morning instead, since there are lots of colourful corners and photo opportunities to choose from here.
You could also try coming at around 4:30pm, just before closing, for shots with fewer crowds.
9. Aesthetic Riads and Hotels
Entry cost: N/A
Opening times: N/A
Best time for photos: 7AM
A lot of the Marrakech photo spots you’ll see on Instagram are actually taken inside some of the city’s beautiful riads.
A riad is a traditional Moroccan guesthouse (a bit like a B&B), usually centred around one calm courtyard, often featuring a small dipping pool or somewhere quiet and calm to relax.
There are hundreds of these dotted throughout the Old Town, but some of the most famous for photos are La Sultana (pictured), Riad Yasmine, Riad BE, La Mamounia and Maison Dar Saada.
Often, you’ll need to book a room to gain access for photography, but some riads have spas where you can book a treatment without being a guest, or rooftop bars you can visit for a drink.
We booked a hammam treatment at La Sultana, which also gets you access to their viral columned spa pool, pictured above!
10. Agafay Desert
Entry cost: Variable
Opening times: N/A
Best time for photos: Sunrise
A visit to the sprawling sand dunes outside the city is a must when in Marrakech.
It’s super easy, and affordable to book a trip there, and you can opt for a range of activities like camel riding, quad biking, or traditional Berber sunset shows and dinner.
If you’re really looking for those once-in-a-lifetime shots, then a sunrise hot air balloon ride is the trip for you.
Some of the photos I got on this tour are so dreamy they don’t even look real, which makes it hard to believe the views were even better in real life.
Seriously – book this, and you won’t regret it!
12. Spice Market and Souks
Entry cost: Free
Opening times: 9AM – 9PM
Best time for photos: 9AM
Some of the best and most authentic Marrakech photo spots can be found deep in the warren of streets that make up the old city souks and markets.
Here you can find piles of colourful spices, Berber rugs hanging from the walls, dizzying displays of lanterns in tiny, hole-in-the-wall stores, and hand-made ceramics which capture the colourful vibe of Morocco.
Just so you don’t get lost, I recommend booking a guided tour of the souks on your first day in Marrakech. This also gives you a chance to scope out the best photo spots, which you can return to the following morning.
Don’t miss a visit to the spice market, too! This one is located a little further away from the main square and souks, but worth the few extra steps.
13. Medina City Walls
Entry cost: Free
Opening times: N/A
Best time for photos: 8AM
They don’t call it the Red City for nothing – Marrakech is made up of a maze of rose-hued walls, which make for some gorgeous, authentic photos.
The Old Town is called the Medina, and its characterised by these narrow passageways. It can be a little bit overwhelming at first. I recommend downloading an offline map on Maps.me to help you find your way around (Google maps is often wrong here!).
Once you’ve got the lay of the land, you can set about capturing the unique charm of these pink-tined passageways with an early morning stroll.
Depending on when you visit, you’ll want to head out just after sunrise, once the sun is just high enough to filter down the high city walls.
14. Koutoubia Mosque
Entry cost: Free (gardens only)
Opening times: Sunrise to sunset
Best time for photos: Sunset
The towering Mosque that watches over Jemaa-el-Fna Square is called Koutoubia, and it’s a restricted place of worship, meaning only local Muslims can go inside.
Visitors are welcome, however, to explore the surrounding gardens and snap photos of the terracotta tower from the outside, with access available from sunrise to sunset.
Sunset is a stunning time to capture this iconic monument, and you can even visit one of the nearby rooftop bars to get a full cityscape shot with the tower set alight by the pink and orange sky.
15. Jardin Secret
Entry cost: 100 MAD (~ £10)
Opening times: 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Best time for photos: 5PM
Tucked away in the heart of the Medina, Jardin Secret is one of Marrakech’s most serene and photogenic hidden gems.
Behind unassuming doors, you’ll find a beautifully restored Islamic garden with symmetrical pathways, elegant fountains, and intricate architectural details that create perfectly framed shots at every turn.
The contrast between lush greenery and traditional Moroccan design makes it ideal for capturing that calm, curated riad aesthetic — but on a larger, more open scale.
For the best photos, visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is soft and the gardens are quiet.
Don’t miss the central courtyard views, the arched walkways, and the tower climb, which offers sweeping rooftop perspectives over the Medina — a rare and elevated angle for Marrakech photography.
Marrakech Photo Spots: FAQs
What are the most Instagrammable riads in Marrakech?
Marrakech is full of beautifully designed riads, but a few stand out for photography.
Riad Yasmine is famous for its iconic green tiles and pool, El Fenn blends bold colours with rooftop views, and La Sultana Marrakech offers luxurious courtyards and intricate architecture.
For a softer, neutral aesthetic, Riad BE Marrakech and Riad Kheirredine are also stunning choices.
What is the best time for photography in Marrakech?
The best time for photography is early morning (around sunrise) and late afternoon (golden hour), when the light is soft and warm. Mornings are especially ideal in busy areas like the Medina and souks, as the streets are quieter and easier to shoot without crowds.
What are the best rooftop bars in Marrakech?
For rooftop photography and sunset drinks, head to Dar Dar (near the spice square), El Fenn Rooftop (stylish with Atlas Mountain views), and Kabana (a chic, modern spot near the Koutoubia Mosque). These rooftops offer a mix of great lighting, city views, and relaxed, photogenic settings.
Read my full guide to the best bars serving alcohol in Marrakech here.
Where should I stay in Marrakech to get the best photos?
Stay within the Medina for the most atmospheric and photogenic experience. This is where you’ll find traditional riads, colourful courtyards, and easy access to iconic photo spots. Areas near Jemaa el-Fnaa, the spice souk, and the Bahia Palace are especially well located for photography.
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