Time is running so fast, I can’t believe that our Marrakech trip is already a month ago! We stayed for a whole week, which gave us plenty of time to discover hidden gems beyond the typical Instagram tourist spots. Since sharing is caring, I’ve prepared this guide for you of the top photography spots in Marrakech for amazing travel photos with exact locations.
If you want to learn more about the history of these places, I’d advise you to book a guided tour*. There was little to no information at the sights. A guide can tell you about the history of the place and insider facts which makes your visit not only more interesting but also fun.
Contents
- 1. Bahia Palace
- 2. Koutoubia Mosque
- 3. Saadian Tombs
- 4. El-Badi Palace
- 5. Kasbah Mosque
- 6. Jardin Secret
- 7. Place des Epices
- 8. Jemaa el-Fna
- 9. ANIMA Garden
- 10. Dar El Bacha Musée Des Confluences
- 11. Ben Youssef Madrasa
- 12. Jardin Majorelle
- 13. Alleyway in front of MonRiad
- 14. Bab Aganou
- Marrakech Photography and Instagram Spots Map
1. Bahia Palace
Bahia means brilliance and this palace built in the late 1800s was intended to be the greatest of its time. It has over 150 rooms that lead to several patios and gardens.
Best time for pics: Visit in the morning as it will be less crowded. Avoid harsh light reflected by the white surfaces inside during noon.
Cost: Ticketed
Location: Bahia Palace (Google Maps)
2. Koutoubia Mosque
Not only is it the biggest mosque in Marrakech as well as the oldest of Morocco but also the most imporant one in the Arabian world.
The Koutoubia Mosque is the perfect reference point if you lost your orientation as you can see the 77 meter high minaret from far away. After sunset it gets floodlit which makes for some nice pictures at night.
Best time for pics: Sunrise, Sunset and night
Cost: Free. Note that only Muslims are allowed to enter the Koutoubia Mosque and any other mosques in Marrakech
Location: Koutoubia Mosque (Google Maps)
3. Saadian Tombs
This royal graveyard of the Saadi dynasty was sealed off for centuries until the Saadian tombs were discovered in 1917 through aerial photography. They’re beautifully decorated with colorful tiles, Italian marble and gold.
Best time for pics: Visit in the morning as it will be less crowded
Cost: Ticketed
Location: Saadian Tombs (Google Maps)
4. El-Badi Palace
The ruins of the former El-Badi Palace from the 16th century are nowadays home to numerous storks. The central piece is a courtyard with four sunken orange gardens separated by a big pool.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed
Location: El-Badi Palace (Google Maps)
5. Kasbah Mosque
When you visit the Saadian Tombs or the El-Badi Palace you will notice this beautiful Mosque. It is also known as the Mosque of El-Mansour or the Mosque of Moulay al-Yazid. Grab something to eat or a mint tea on one of the rooftop terraces across the place and enjoy the views of the mosque and stork nests from above.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free, but you may visit a rooftop restaurant or cafe for the view. Note that only Muslims are allowed to enter the Kasbah Mosque and any other mosques in Marrakech
Location: Kasbah Mosque (Google Maps)
6. Jardin Secret
The Jardin Secret is a true oasis in the middle of the Medina. It is a restored riad with an exotic and a typical Islamic garden that are fed by a restored original irrigation system.
Best time for pics: Visit in the morning as it will be less crowded
Cost: Ticketed
Location: Jardin Secret (Google Maps)
7. Place des Epices
On the Place des Epices you will find big piles of all things made of straw like hats, bags and baskets. The rooftop cafes around this market place offer good value for money plus the best views from above.
Best time for pics: Anytime. No need to get up early as shops won’t be open
Cost: Free, but you may visit a rooftop restaurant or cafe for the view
Location: Places des Epices (Google Maps)
8. Jemaa el-Fna
The Jemaa el-Fna is the central market place where tourists as well as locals gather. During the day it’s a plain place with a number of juice stalls, street vendors, henna women, acrobats and snake charmers. But as the sun sets, it transforms completely and life awakens as the food stalls get built up.
Best time for pics: Sunrise and night
Cost: Free, but you may visit a rooftop restaurant or cafe for the view
Location: Jemaa el-Fna (Google Maps)
9. ANIMA Garden
André Heller created his version of Garden Eden which combines nature and art with pieces by Pablo Picasso, Keith Haring and others. Relax and unwind in one of the prettiest gardens around Marrakesh.
Traveldreamfairy’s tip: If you buy your tickets in advance online*, you can use the free shuttle bus that departs from the parking at the Koutoubia Mosque.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed
Location: ANIMA (Google Maps)
Shuttle bus meeting point to ANIMA (Google Maps)
10. Dar El Bacha Musée Des Confluences
The building itself is the main attraction with elaborate and colorful mosaics and one of the hidden gems of Marrakesh. Here you can enjoy equally beautiful architecture as at the Bahia Palace but without the crowds. This museum shows artifacts from cultures and regions that have intersected in Morocco including but not limited to Arabic, African, European, and Jewish.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed
Location: Dar El Bacha Musée Des Confluences (Google Maps)
11. Ben Youssef Madrasa
The Ben Youssef Madrasa was once the largest Islamic college in Morocco and could house up to 900 students. Nowadays it’s open to the public but currently closed until 2020 for renovations.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Ticketed
Location: Medersa Ben Youssef (Google Maps)
12. Jardin Majorelle
For centuries Marrakech has been a creative hub for artists. In the early 20th century the French painter Jacques Majorelle created the Majorelle garden after moving to the Marrakech. Years after his death the French designer Yves Saint Laurent bought the Jardin Majorelle in 1980.
It’s without doubt the most popular attraction of Marrakesh and thus, also very crowded. If you are looking for a more peaceful garden, you’re better off visiting the ANIMA garden or Le Jardin Secret which I mentioned earlier.
Best time for pics: Visit in the morning as it will be less crowded
Cost: Ticketed
Location: Jardin Majorelle (Google Maps)
13. Alleyway in front of MonRiad
We found this cute place by accident. It was on the way from our riad to the Jemaa el-Fna. Marrakech has many other cute streets around the city, keep your eyes open.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location: Alleyway in front of MonRiad (Google Maps)
14. Bab Aganou
Bab Aganou is the most famous of the 19 gates of Marrakech. It’s the entrance to the royal kasbah which is presumed to be the reason for its exquisite stone design and ornaments.
Best time for pics: Anytime
Cost: Free
Location: Bab Aganou (Google Maps)
Marrakech Photography and Instagram Spots Map
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Have you ever been to Marrakech? What is your favorite place?
*This page contains affiliate links. If you make your booking through these links, there is no extra cost for you but in this way you can support my blog. I may receive a small commission that will help to cover part of my expenses incurred by running this blog.
So ein toller Blogpost Kathi! Hab ihn mir gleich mal auf Pinterest gespeichert, damit ich ja nix vergesse wenn ich nach Marokko fliege im August. Es sieht echt alles so toll dort aus :)
Danke Lina, das freut mich. Wenn du noch Fragen hast, melde dich einfach!
Marrakech is my dream destination, hope to visit it one day!
That’s amazing, I hope you’ll fulfill this travel dream soon :)
[…] my last vacation in Marrakech I noticed once again all the advantages of a the straw […]
Love this guide and Marakech! I’ve been there twice already and am itching to go back!
x B
http://www.binishpirwani.com
Thanks Binish, so glad you liked it!
Have you also visited other places in Morocco besides Marrakesh? If not, you need to next time you’re there, so worth it. My favorites are Fez and Meknes.
[…] all the colorful shops, it’s hard to return from Marrakech without buying at least one souvenir for yourself or your loved ones. The medina of Marrakech is […]
Hi Kathi,
schöner Guide.
Und noch einen Blog aus Wien gefunden, den ich nicht kannte …
Suche gerade gute Orte für Bilder in Marrakesch heraus. Der Flug geht am Donnerstag. :)
Dar El Bacha Musée habe ich bisher noch in keinem anderen gefunden. Das Café darin zieht mich gerade an.
Grüße
Thomas