Morocco Travel Outfit Guide: Ditch the Tourist Pics and Become an Insta Star

Since Morocco waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens in 2016, this country known as the “Garden of North Africa” has frequently appeared in our sights, becoming one of the most popular travel destinations. It’s not just because it offers unique travel experiences, but also because of its “Instagrammable” scenery, attracting bloggers to flock there: colorful mosque architecture, vibrant street markets, empty Sahara Desert, and brightly colored popular attractions…

Here, it’s like God overturned a paint palette. Every major city has its own iconic color: Casablanca, the White City; Fes, the Yellow City; Marrakech, the Red City; Chefchaouen, the Blue City. These places blend together to make Morocco a photographer’s paradise.

Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco and the fifth largest in the world, is the only attraction in Casablanca that’s truly worth visiting. Almost every city in Morocco has a mosque, but this is the only one open to tourists (non-Muslims).

The mosque is dominated by white and green hues, with exquisite patterns on the walls, each shot taken from a different angle is stunningly beautiful!

Photography Guide

The intricately patterned door is like a curtain. Use a symmetrical composition, framing the door, and you can easily take beautiful photos without stepping on any landmines. Since one-third of the mosque is built on the sea, it’s foggy in the morning. I recommend going in the late afternoon to shoot.

Photo from Instagram

Outfit Recommendation

The decorations of Islamic architecture, such as mosques, use large areas of floral patterns. Whether it’s a top and bottom combination or a dress, it’s recommended to choose a high-saturation solid-color outfit to create a stark contrast with the white and green tones of the mosque. I chose a “pure white top + magenta pink skirt” combination.

As the capital of Morocco, Rabat’s locals are more open and tolerant towards foreign tourists.

Photography Guide

The “Hassan Tower” was once planned to be the largest mosque in Moroccan history. However, the king died before the tower was completed, and construction stopped. The “Mohammed V Mausoleum” opposite the square is where many government activities are held. These two places are surrounded by walls.

Background is the wall

I’m at the Hassan Tower

There are four gates in front of the Mohammed V Mausoleum, and red-clothed soldiers stand guard at each gate. Of course, not all soldiers agree to photos. This time, I also saw many tourists directly sticking to the soldiers to take selfies, which were rejected by the soldier brothers. So, whether you take pictures of the soldiers directly or take photos with them, please ask the other party if it’s okay first. In any case, I’m happy to have a picture with them! Yeah!

Photography Guide

Majorelle Gardens is one of Marrakech’s most popular attractions. I had seen many photos of it online, but I was still amazed when I saw it in person! This blue and yellow garden is small, but for those who love taking photos, you can wander around for a long time. Every corner, if you think carefully, can produce beautiful photos! The garden entrance fee is 70DH/person (about 130 yuan RMB), and half price with a Chinese student ID.

Outfit Recommendation

Many bloggers on the internet recommend wearing yellow clothes. While yellow is indeed eye-catching against the blue and yellow buildings, the garden also has many green and red plants. Therefore, you can also choose other skin-tone colors like white, beige, or red to avoid the awkwardness of encountering a bunch of yellow clothes. I happened to have a yellow dress in my closet, and I was too lazy to coordinate, so I just wore it!

These two places seem a little mysterious, but they’re both near the famous Djemaa el-Fna square!

The wall color of the medina (old city) is mainly red and pink. The complexity of the streets is ranked second in Morocco. You can wander aimlessly in the winding streets.

Outfit Recommendation

Against the red background, in addition to the versatile black and white, you can also choose other light-colored combinations. This can create a contrast, making the person stand out even more.

Photo from Goddess Instagram: jeannedamas

Besides the alleyways, the market near the old city has many shops selling handicrafts: ceramic plates, all kinds of candle lamps, bags, jewelry… You may not think so, but standing among the dazzling array of goods, taking pictures is also beautiful! But before you take photos, you need to get the shopkeeper’s permission. First, it’s disrespectful to pose in front of their shop without asking, and second, it’s best to avoid them asking you for money after you’ve taken photos.

Photo from the internet

Aït Benhaddou, known as the most beautiful village in Morocco, has also been dubbed the “Hollywood of Africa” by the media. You can find it in many famous movies, such as “Red Sea Action” and “Game of Thrones”. This is a must-see stop on the desert tour, and our guide will lead us to the highest point.

Photography Guide

You can enter the bridge in front of the village and take a panoramic view of the village from a low angle.

You can also walk up to the high point along the way, and take a bird’s eye view of the entire village at any place you like, with the “sandcastle” behind you as the background.

Outfit Recommendation

Brick red, dark red, and other red tones can become highlights against the yellow earth background. Adding stripes and tassels adds a local native flair. I only chose the simplest “pure yellow T-shirt + brick red skirt” combination. Here, we’re close to the desert, the temperature is high during the day, the ultraviolet rays are strong, and there’s a lot of sand! There’s no overhead cover, so I really can’t pay attention to anything else. After taking photos, I quickly put on a sun protection mask and sleeves!

Visiting the Sahara Desert is a must-do for many people coming to Morocco. In the Sahara Desert in July and August, the temperature is 40+ degrees Celsius every day. Even at night, it’s still very hot.

Photography Guide

Because the scenery of the desert itself is spectacular, when taking photos, you can use the “large scene + small person” composition. You can also incorporate your own creativity, like stepping on a few footprints. Bringing your own props is also a good choice.

Photo from the internet

The leather tanneries are located in the old city of Fes and are one of Fes’s famous attractions. Among them, the Moulay Abdellah Quarter is the largest tannery in the city, and can be located on the map. The smell is particularly pungent because the dyes contain natural animal manure. However, despite this, everyone who comes to Fes is still willing to catch a glimpse of this colorful workshop.

The tannery doesn’t require a ticket, and you can only enter the nearby leather shop to visit the balcony near the tannery. Some shops with good viewing angles will charge a small fee (5DH/about 9 yuan RMB). Some shops will also invite you to visit for free, but it also means that they will be constantly guiding you to buy their products while you’re visiting.

Generally, people just look down at the tannery from above. For shots that are very close to the tannery, you’ll probably have to pay a higher tip.

Many people who visit the old city of Fes go crazy buying all kinds of leather goods, and then forget to take pictures. Well, I’m one of those people. However, the “Rainbow Street” that I found on the road from the “Blue Gate” to the old city is still worth recommending to you! The old city is not well-positioned by GPS, and the exact location cannot be drawn. You need to find it carefully as you walk. It’s roughly along the main road shown in the picture below:

Highly recommended! It’s only a few minutes’ drive from the old city. You can find it by searching “Merinide Necropole” on Google Maps. You can overlook the entire old city of Fes. I suggest going in the late afternoon so you can also see the sunset, which is especially relaxing. ~

Outfit Recommendation

The old city of Fes is dominated by yellow tones. I chose a “white top + red skirt” combination, simple and fitting.

As one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, Meknes is much less known than Fes. It’s very close to Fes, and it takes only half an hour by train to get there. Meknes also has a royal city and an old city, but our focus on this trip is on the two major attractions outside the city. Volubilis is an ancient Roman city, a bit like the Yuanmingyuan Garden in Beijing. Although it’s now in ruins, it’s still very worth visiting.

Moulay Idriss is a small town that you must pass through on your way to Volubilis. The town is built along the mountain, a bit like a colorful Chefchaouen (which we’ll mention later).

Outfit Recommendation

Refer to the color of the ruins, this time I wore a white dress. I didn’t plan it deliberately, and I found it quite fitting after taking photos there.

Many people’s first impression of Morocco is the blue alleys of Chefchaouen. The town was originally painted blue to prevent mosquitoes, but later, to develop tourism, the locals spontaneously painted the doors, steps, stairs, and everything else they could see in blue.

Photography Guide

In general, there are two main places to take pictures in Chefchaouen. One is the old city: everything you see is blue, and every photo comes with a filter effect. Many people will specifically go to the Instagram-famous “Dar Sababa” (it’s just that it’s become popular because of the many photos bloggers have taken there). I think there’s no need to join the crowds. There are many other alleys that are just as beautiful.

Instagram-famous “Dar Sababa”

Alleyway I found at random

Besides the old city, another place to take pictures is the Ras el-Ma Park on the back mountain. This is another vantage point overlooking the whole city. Every day at sunset, there are many tourists gathering here.

Outfit Recommendation

Yellow and orange are complementary colors to blue, standing out against a blue background. Pure white blends with the blue background, and red can be a bold splash of color against the blue city. ~

Tetouan is not considered a tourist city. The butler at our accommodation told us there are no attractions to visit there. The complexity of the old city’s streets is ranked third in Morocco. I survived by relying on my strong sense of direction and a compass!

Photography Guide

You can wander through the alleys in the old city, or find a high point to use the entire old city as a backdrop.

Outfit Recommendation

The walls are dominated by white and green tones, which is the style of this city. I chose colors that are similar to this city, “light green shirt + white jeans”.

As one of the northern cities in Morocco, Tangier is a window to Europe. It’s only separated from Spain by a strait. You can dress casually, and beach resort style is the best.

Photography Guide 

Cape Spartel and Hercules Cave are two popular attractions. They’re very close to each other, but both are far from the city center, so you need to take a taxi or hitchhike to get there. I just wandered around the beach in the city center!

Morocco is a truly beautiful country, with many places worth photographing that have yet to be discovered. The travelogues and guides online are already quite comprehensive. This time, I choose to share it with you from a different perspective. I’m not a fashion expert, so if there are any shortcomings, please forgive me.

Have a pleasant journey, and take photos that are ten or a hundred times more beautiful than mine!