0:00
Bab Boujloud
Start at the blue gate in early morning or late-afternoon light, with the minarets framed through the arch.
Fes, Morocco· Concierge · Mon–Sat · 09:00–18:00 GMT+1
Photography walk in the Fes medina
Photograph Fes el-Bali in early morning or late afternoon light with a local guide who plans the route: Bab Boujloud, the craft streets, the tannery terraces, the Nejjarine fountain and a rooftop at the end. Along the way you learn when and how to ask before photographing people. Allow about 3–4 hours.
- Private or small-group
- A local guide with you
- Quoted for your dates
What it's like
Fes el-Bali is extraordinary to photograph and hard to do well alone. The lanes are narrow and dark, the best views are from rooftops you would never find, and the light changes fast between the shade of the souks and open squares. A photography walk solves the logistics so you can concentrate on the pictures.
Your guide plans the route around the light: early morning or late afternoon, starting at the blue-tiled Bab Boujloud, through the craft streets, to the tannery terraces, the Nejjarine fountain and a rooftop at the end. Along the way you learn how and when to ask before photographing people, which matters in Fes.
Best for: Photographers of any level, phone included; Travellers who want the classic Fes shots without getting lost; Anyone keen to photograph people respectfully.
- How long
- About 3–4 hours
- Where
- Fes el-Bali, from Bab Boujloud to the tanneries and rooftops
- How active
- Some walking
- Families
- Best for adults
How it runs
A typical running order. Timings shift with your group, the season and the day of the week.
0:30
Talaa Kebira and craft streets
Work the main lane and the craft streets: metalworkers, weavers, cedar carvers and shafts of light in the souk.
1:15
Madrasa and fountain details
Zellige, carved stucco and cedar at a madrasa and at the Nejjarine fountain.
2:00
The tanneries from above
The classic view over the dye vats from a leather-shop terrace.
2:45
Rooftop finish
End on a rooftop over the medina as the light softens and the call to prayer rolls across the city.
Up close
Light-led route
The route is timed so the best spots are shot in good light, not in harsh midday sun.
Respectful street photography
Your guide helps you ask permission and explains where photos are not welcome.
Rooftop views
Access to terraces over the medina that are hard to find without local help.
Private or small-group
Private
Just you or your party with a guide, at a photographer's pace, with the timing set around sunrise or sunset.
Small-group
A shared walk with a few other photographers on the same light-led route.
Practical notes
Bring a light kit: a wide-to-normal zoom or a phone is ideal in narrow lanes; tripods are awkward in crowds. Many people, especially women and older residents, prefer not to be photographed; always ask, and accept a no. Drone use in Morocco requires authorisation, so leave the drone at home.
Good to know
Expect a lot of walking and some steep stairs to terraces. Friday mornings are quieter, with many shops closed. Some shop terraces expect you to browse; buying is optional.
Before you knock
The questions people ask us most before they plan a trip.
What is the best time to photograph the Fes medina?
Early morning and late afternoon give the softest light and quieter lanes. Midday sun is harsh in the open and very dark in the souks.
Can I photograph people in Fes?
Always ask first. Many people, especially women and older residents, prefer not to be photographed. Your guide will help you ask politely and explain local sensitivities.
Can I fly a drone over Fes?
Not without authorisation. Drones are restricted in Morocco and can be confiscated at the airport, so we suggest leaving yours at home.
Pair it with
Sunset at the Merinid TombsClimb to the hill above Fes el-Bali for the city's great sunset view, with the Saadian fort of Borj Nord and the Merinid ruins on the way.See how it runs
Leather & tanneriesLook down on the dye pits of the Chouara tannery, then follow the leather to a workshop where it is cut and stitched into bags and babouches.See how it runs
Calligraphy workshopCut a reed pen, mix the ink and learn to write your name in Maghrebi script, then see the great Kufic inscriptions of the Fes madrasas with new eyes.See how it runsRead before you go: Morocco photography guide, Morocco photography spots, Fes rooftop views and terraces.
Send your dates. We'll fit this into your Fes days.
- Tell us what drew you in. Your dates, who is travelling and what you want to see.
- A person reads it. We write a day-by-day plan for your group, private or small-group.
- You change anything. Then we confirm the guides, drivers and riads.