Fès-Meknès is a region of north-central Morocco that holds two of the country's four imperial cities: Fès, home to the world's largest living medieval medina and the oldest university in continuous operation, and Meknès, the 17th-century capital of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Between and around them lie the Roman ruins of Volubilis, the holy hilltop town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the cedar forests and lakes of the Middle Atlas around Ifrane and Azrou, and the cherry-growing towns of Sefrou and Bhalil.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Fès el-Bali Panorama from the Merenid Tombs
Best time: Sunset and 30 minutes after
Tip: Arrive 45 minutes before sunset to claim a spot along the wall. · A 70-200mm lens compresses the rooftops; a wide-angle captures the tomb arches. · Bring a tripod for dusk exposures and use a remote or timer. · Taxis from Bab Boujloud reach the hill; agree the fare before departing. · Drones need prior authorisation in Morocco and should be left at home.
Borj Nord Ramparts and Medina Roofs
Best time: Early morning light or late afternoon
Tip: Visit in the first hours after opening for soft east light and fewer visitors. · Use a wide-angle lens for ramparts and a short telephoto to isolate minarets. · Bring water; the exposed ramparts have little shade. · Check opening days locally before climbing up. · Keep a firm grip on equipment near low parapets.
Bab Bou Jeloud at Dusk
Best time: Dusk, 18:00-20:00
Tip: Arrive before sunset and stay through blue hour for saturated tile colour. · Use a wide-angle lens, 16-24mm, to include the arches and minaret. · Take a tripod, but choose a spot away from the main pedestrian flow. · Order at a café terrace to gain an elevated, stable viewpoint. · Politely decline unofficial guides at the gate.
Bou Inania Madrasa Courtyard
Best time: 9:00-10:00 at opening
Tip: Arrive at opening, around 9:00, to photograph before tour groups. · Use a 16-35mm lens for the full courtyard and a fast prime for detail. · Flash is discouraged; raise ISO instead. · Ask staff before setting up a tripod. · Dress modestly and keep to permitted areas.
Al-Attarine Madrasa Courtyard
Best time: Mid-morning, when sun reaches the courtyard
Tip: Visit mid-morning when the sun reaches the courtyard. · A fast 35mm or 24mm prime handles the low light well. · Shoot from the doorway for symmetry, then step in for details. · Skip flash; raise ISO instead. · Keep the camera bag close in the narrow approach lanes.
Chouara Tannery from the Terrace
Best time: Morning, 9:00-11:00
Tip: Arrive by 9:00 to avoid midday groups. · A 70-200mm lens isolates workers and colour patterns. · A polarising filter cuts glare on the wet vats. · Accept the mint sprig and tip the person who escorts upstairs. · Photograph workers discreetly and respectfully.
Brass Gates of the Royal Palace, Fès el-Jdid
Best time: Morning, 9:00-11:00
Tip: Shoot in the morning for clean light on the brass. · A 16-24mm lens fits doors and tilework from the forecourt. · Avoid obstructing the entrance or pointing the camera at security staff. · Overcast days reduce glare on the metal. · Drones are prohibited near the royal palace.
Mellah Balconies
Best time: Morning light
Tip: Shoot in the morning for warm side-light on the facades. · A standard zoom or 24mm lens suits narrow streets. · Photograph buildings rather than residents unless permission is given. · Combine with the nearby Jewish cemetery and synagogue. · Keep bags close in narrow lanes.
Bab Mansour at Golden Hour
Best time: Late afternoon, 16:00-18:00
Tip: Arrive an hour before sunset for warm light and fewer people. · Use a 16-24mm lens to capture the full facade from the square. · Bring a tripod for floodlit dusk exposures and stay close to your gear. · Combine with an evening visit to Place el-Hedim. · Drones need authorisation and should be left behind.
Place el-Hedim Evening Life
Best time: Dusk, 18:00-21:00
Tip: Arrive near sunset and stay into the evening for the best mix of light and activity. · A fast 35mm or 50mm prime works handheld at high ISO. · Ask permission and expect to tip performers when photographing them. · Use a café terrace for a higher, steadier view. · Watch belongings in the crowd.
Heri es-Souani Arches
Best time: Midday, light shafts through roof openings
Tip: Visit near midday when light shafts are at their strongest. · A tripod and 16-24mm lens suit the dark corridors. · Ask staff before setting up a tripod. · Wear sturdy shoes for uneven floors. · Bring water; amenities on site are limited.
Volubilis Mosaics and Arch
Best time: Early morning, 8:30-10:30
Tip: Arrive at opening for soft light and fewer groups. · A 16-35mm lens suits the arch and ruined streets. · A polarising filter deepens the sky and cuts mosaic glare. · Bring a sun hat and water; shade is limited. · Ask the ticket office about tripod and drone rules.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun Rooftops
Best time: Golden hour
Tip: Climb to the upper terraces an hour before sunset. · A 70-200mm lens compresses the stacked houses; add a wide-angle for context. · Be discreet near the mausoleum and worshippers. · Use a terrace café for a stable position and restroom. · Agree any guide fee in advance.
Ifrane Stone Lion and Chalets
Best time: Morning; winter for snow
Tip: Visit in the morning for soft light and fewer visitors. · A standard zoom keeps the lion and chalets in one frame. · Go early after a snowfall for untouched snow. · Avoid weekends and holidays to skip photo queues. · Check road conditions before driving in winter.
Cedre Gouraud Barbary Macaques
Best time: Early morning, 8:00-10:00
Tip: Arrive between 8:00 and 10:00 when animals are most active. · Use a 200mm or longer lens with a fast shutter speed. · Do not feed the macaques; keep a respectful distance. · A monopod works better than a tripod on forest ground. · Dress warmly, as mountain weather changes fast.
Lake Dayet Aoua Reflections
Best time: Sunrise
Tip: Be on the shore before sunrise for still water. · A telephoto lens and binoculars help with waterbirds. · A polarising filter deepens reflections and cuts glare. · Visit in winter or spring when water levels are higher. · Bring water and warm clothing; facilities are limited.
Bhalil Cave Houses
Best time: Morning light
Tip: Visit in the morning for soft, even light. · A standard zoom or wide-angle suits the narrow lanes. · Photograph buildings, and ask before photographing residents. · Tip residents who invite visitors into a cave house. · Wear sturdy shoes for steep, stepped lanes.
Sefrou Orchards and Medina
Best time: Spring blossom, golden hour
Tip: Check local reports for blossom timing, which varies by year. · Shoot at golden hour for warm side-light on petals. · A standard zoom suits landscapes; a macro lens suits blossoms. · Stay on public paths and ask before entering private orchards. · Visit in June for the cherry harvest and festival.
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Fès-Meknès's strengths.
Items photography
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in souks, tanneries and women in the medina.
Do not photograph police, military sites or the Royal Palace guards.
A fast prime (35mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.8) works well in medina alleys and madrasa interiors.
Carry a wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for courtyards and narrow lanes.
Tripods are not always allowed inside madrasas and museums; ask at the ticket desk.
Drones require authorisation in Morocco and are not allowed over the medinas.
Carry a small bag; the medina is crowded and a cross-body strap deters theft.
At Chouara, accept the shop's mint sprig and photograph from the terrace; a tip is expected.
Winter in Ifrane and Azrou can bring snow; carry a spare battery as the cold shortens battery life.
In summer, shoot before 10:00 and after 17:00 to avoid harsh light and heat.