Discover Morocco through stunning travel photography
Images from Marrakech, Sahara Desert, Fez and Casablanca
I recently spent eight unforgettable days in Morocco, tackling an ambitious cross-country itinerary with three fellow military spouses. We clocked countless hours in the rental car, laughing, singing, and sharing stories, making memories to last a lifetime. Our days were filled with wandering through bustling medinas, riding camels into the vast Sahara, and meandering through the iconic blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen with no agenda other than to take it all in.
Though this post is primarily focused on sharing imagery from the trip, I’ve included a breakdown of our itinerary for those curious. We covered a lot of ground in a short time, largely because we were determined to spend a night in the Sahara, an experience that was absolutely worth the long drive. If we were to do it again, we’d all agree on staying two nights in the desert and skipping Rabat and Casablanca altogether.
Colorful medinas of Marrakech.
For those curious, here was our rough itinerary. We stayed in local riads everywhere except Casablanca and the Sahara desert.
Day 1-2: Marrakech
Day 3: Drive to Ourrzazate (on the way to the Sahara Desert)
Day 4: Sahara Desert overnight
Day 5- 6: Fes
Day 7: Chefchaouen (images in a separate post)
Day 8: Rabat/Cassablanca
Day 9: Fly home in the afternoon from Marrakech
Marrakech
There’s so much to absorb in the markets of Marrakech-the colors, the textures, the energy. I once heard a photographer say he avoided markets because they were “too easy” to photograph. I couldn’t disagree more. To me, markets are the heart and soul of a city, and there’s nothing I love more than wandering through them, camera in hand, capturing whatever unfolds. You never know what’s waiting around the corner, so I’m always ready. You know that expression, “head on a swivel”? That’s me whenever I travel (especially without my kids), constantly scanning, watching, and waiting for that next moment to appear.
Sahara Desert
Just after sunrise in the Sahara Desert
From Marrakech, we began our journey toward the Sahara Desert, where we had planned to spend one night in a luxury tent beneath the stars. The original plan was to take a sunset camel ride upon arrival, but a windstorm swept through the area, making that impossible. Instead, we rescheduled for sunrise, and it couldn’t have worked out better. We were greeted with a peaceful, golden morning and a breathtaking desert sunrise. That brief moment made a lasting impression, and we all agreed: one night in the Sahara just wasn’t enough.
The last of the light in the Sahara Desert
Jam session at our camp in the Sahara
Fez
Fez tanneries on a rainy day. This ended up being “meh” for me to see in person, after being very high on my must-see list.
Fez was full of energy and chaos in the best way, especially inside the walls of the old medina. We spent hours weaving through the markets, taking in the layers of history and craftsmanship tucked around every corner. We even said goodbye to a chicken and watched as he became someone’s dinner. One evening, we treated ourselves to a traditional hammam experience, which was both relaxing and unforgettable.
Visiting the tanneries had been high on my list, but the experience turned out to be a bit underwhelming. A rainy day combined with empty dye tubs meant we missed the burst of vibrant colors I had hoped to photograph. That said, it was still fascinating to witness the centuries-old process in action. And if you’re worried about the smell, it really wasn’t as bad as expected. But just in case, they do offer sprigs of mint to hold under your nose!
Casablanca
After a week of riads and desert camping, we treated ourselves to a night at the Conrad in Rabat, and let’s just say, that hot shower felt amazing. A few glasses of wine were also very much in order, especially since we’d been traveling during Ramadan, when most places weren’t serving alcohol. We soaked in the comfort of the hotel, enjoyed a quiet evening, and recharged. The next morning, we spent a few relaxed hours exploring Casablanca before heading back to Marrakech to catch our flights home.
Things we explored in Casablanca:
Hassan II Mosque
Olive market
Antique market
Almost all of the images in this post were photographed with the Sony A1 paired with the 24-70mm f2.8 lens. A handful were taken with the A7R3 + 135mm f1.8. You can find my full travel set-up here.
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