Morocco


Sunrise over Aït Benhaddou, Morocco

Traveling through Morocco was an adventure.  All your senses are tested from the moment you arrive.  From the intense aromas of the spices to the loud bustling atmosphere behind the medina walls, Morocco is an amazing country full of culture and wonderful people, great for travel photography. Driving through the country was relatively easy and it allowed me to stop wherever and whenever I wanted.  That’s how I managed to capture some of Morocco’s beauty from the green mountains in the north, the Atlas mountains in the center, the Atlantic coastal villages and the Sahara desert in the east.  There’s so much variety to keep you intrigued.

Morocco’s imperial cities and some lesser known towns

Morocco is home to many cultural cities, of which the four most well known ones, Rabat, Fez, Meknes and Marrakesh are known as the imperial cities.  I spent time in the red-walled city of Marrakesh and the chaotic city of Fez with its impressive city gates.  I also visited the bright and colorful port city of Essaouira and the green city of Moulay Idriss containing beautifully preserved buildings and markets or souks.

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Mosque in Marrakesh, MoroccoInside the media of Marrakesh, MoroccoThe medina of Marrakesh, MoroccoOld man in the streets of Marrakesh, MoroccoTravel photography of MoroccoRed streets of the Medina in Marrakesh, MoroccoOld man in the medina of Marrakesh, MoroccoPortuguese cistern of El Jadida, MoroccoBlue boats in the harbor of Essaouira, MoroccoCoastal town of Essaouira, MoroccoMoroccan spices on a market on Fez, MoroccoCity gates of Fez, MoroccoHassan II mosque in Casablanca, MoroccoDetail of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, MoroccoFez Madrassa Bou Inania, Morocco Bab Mansour in Meknes, MoroccoMoulay Idriss mosque, MoroccoRiyad courtyard in MoroccoInside of a Madrassa in Morocco

Chefchaouen

Located in the Rif Mountains in the northwest of Morocco, the highly recommended vibrant blue-washed city of Chefchaouen is not to be missed. Spend an afternoon wandering the narrow alleyways with each street having its own charm.  The different shades of blue make for great photogenic shots!

Blue village of Chefchaouen in MoroccoMan on steps in the blue town of Chefchaouen in MoroccoTravel photography in Chefchaouen, MoroccoWomen at her doorstep in the blue town of Chefchaouen, MoroccoThe blue village of Chefchaouen in northern MoroccoWoman hanging her laundry in the blue town of Chefchaouen, MoroccoBlue streets of Chefchaouen, the blue village in Northern MoroccoOld man in the streets of Chefchaouen, the blue village of MoroccoChefchaouen blue village in Morocco

Ancient kasbahs made out of clay

This north African country is known to many as the land of a thousand kasbahs.  Dotted all over the country, these settlements are a fascinating place to visit with Ait Ben Haddhou being the most famous kasbah of them all.  This place is magical at sunrise as the low sunlight hits the clay houses slowly turning the red clay into soft pastel colors and eventually vibrant pinks and oranges as the sun rises.  Stay for a while to walk through the narrow alleys and explore hidden gems.  The kasbah of Skoura is also worth a visit and is less visited than Ait Ben Haddhou. The locals here are more than happy to welcome you in for some mint tea.  No matter the time of the day, there is always time for mint tea.

Aït Benhaddou Kasbah in Morocco at sunsetSunset over the beautiful Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, MoroccoKasbah Aït Benhaddou in Morocco at sunsetView over Aït Benhaddou Kasbah in MorrocoDramatic sunset over Aït Benhaddou Kasbah in Morocco during a travel photography tripAït Benhaddou Kasbah at dusk in MoroccoSkoura Kasbah in Morocco travel photographyTammougalt Kasbah in Ouarzazate, MoroccoThe Kasbah of Skoura in MoroccoThe tunnels of Tinejdad, MoroccoAbandoned Kasbah in Morocco

Sahara desert with its impressive sand dunes

As you continue to drive further east across the Draa Valley, the landscape changes from lush green palm trees to dry and arid desert land.  You have reached the outer bends of the Sahara desert.  I parked my car at the town of Zagora where a driver took me in a 4×4 straight through the massive sand dunes to my camp for the next few days.  I decided to stay at a camp far from any other camp to really experience the complete silence and darkness in the desert.  This allowed me to take advantage of waking up early before sunrise and hike up the massive sand dunes while admiring the views from the top as the sun came up.  The Sahara desert was exactly how I expected it to be – vast, quiet, and absolutely amazing.  Definitely a highlight of my trip.

Mountain in the Draa valley of MoroccoWild camels in the Sahara Desert, Morocco Wild camels near Zagora in the Sahara desert, MoroccoSand dunes of the Sahara Desert in MoroccoBeetle in the sand of the Sahara desert in MoroccoSunset over the sand dunes of the Sahara Desert in MoroccoSahara desert giant sand dunes in MoroccoSunset over the giant sand dunes of the Sahara Desert in MoroccoNomadic bedouin guy in the Sahara desert of MoroccoSunrise over the Sahara desert sand dunes in MoroccoGiant sand dunes of the Sahara Desert in MoroccoOn top of a giant sand dune in the Sahara Desert of MoroccoSahara sand dunes of MoroccoBeautiful layers of sand in the sand dunes of Zagora, MoroccoTravel photography Morocco of the sand dunesWild camels roaming the Sahara desert in MoroccoBedouin guy in the Sahara Desert in Morocco