Moroccan Doors and Arched Doorways in Fes and Meknes Morocco

Moroccan doors, often set into arched doorways and surrounded by intricate tile work, offer an insight into another world. They are a fascinating reflection of craftsmanship.

A look at local life through an arched doorway.

The Blue Gate in Fes is the main entrance to the old Medina. It is blue on the outside, green inside the Medina. The Moussem of Moulay Idriss II Festival is featured in the second photo.

A closed gate along the Medina wall in Meknes.

Colourful door to a Koranic school for both girls and boys ages 3-5 in Meknes.

An open archway in the gate to the old city of Meknes.

The bank, sitting just outside the Blue Gate in Fes.

Many Moroccan doors or surrounding arched doorways feature intricate tile work.

Our girls give a bit of perspective to the size of these massive Moroccan doors at the tourist office in Meknes.

The call to prayer resonates off the walls, and the door to the mosque is open.

The aroma of barbecue lured us to this street in the old Medina. (This image is part of a series of colourful photos shot highlighting things to do in Fes.)

Tips for Taking Photos in Morocco:

If you love taking photos of Moroccan doors, detailed tile work, arched doorways, locals, architecture, landscape or anything else in Morocco, be ready as opportunities are around every corner. You’ll want to follow a few simple guidelines for taking photos in Morocco:

• If you carry an expensive camera, you will draw unwanted attention and probably spend more in every purchase negotiation, as you have advertised your wealth. I shoot with an Olympus OMD Em5 Mark II. Aside from its smaller size being easier to carry, it also appears to be less valuable.
• Do not take photographs of military activity or sensitive political sites.
• Also do not take photographs of policemen, soldiers, embassies, official buildings, or even convoys of limousines.
• The laws on drones are quite restrictive. You are required to obtain permission from the Moroccan Civil Aviation Authority to fly a drone in the country.
• Respect privacy. Ask permission before taking photos of people. Many Moroccans don’t want to be in photos. Use gestures if you don’t speak the language (Arabic or French). Their response is usually clear.
• Carry small currency with you. In many tourist areas, especially Djemma el Fna in Marrakesh, locals make a living posing for photos, for payment (10 dirham seems to be standard).
• If you prefer candid shots, a zoom lens from a distance can be used, but isn’t considered to be polite. Find an interesting background, heavy with foot traffic, and set yourself up somewhere in the distance. Be patient and wait for the shot.
• If you are not comfortable asking permission (or using a zoom lens), a tour guide can often help break the ice. Use a licensed guide. We have found Viator guides to be knowledgeable, reliable, and safe.

General Travel Tips for Morocco

• Vivid and colourful, Morocco is a photographers paradise. We have travelled by train to Fes, Meknes (and Volubilis), Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakesh. We have driven a loop in a rental car from Marrakesh west to Essaouira, then east to the Sahara. Plus we used a private guide to take us from Fes to Chefchaouen, the blue city.
• We have been to Fes twice, both times staying at Riad Al Atik in the old Medina. The arched doorways, tiled walls, fabulous food, and a friendly atmosphere contribute to the ambience of this traditional riad. It is where I will stay on any visit to Fes. Booking.com 

  
  

• If you are headed to Fes, Meknes, or anywhere in Morocco, don’t forget to pick up a copy of . It won’t help you find Moroccan doors, but it will come in handy for the rest of your travels.

This is another post in my throwback series encouraged by moving all my photos to Lightroom. We visited Morocco in 2012. If you enjoyed these images of arched doorways, city gates, and Moroccan doors, please Pin it on Pinterest:

Are you a fan of Moorish architecture and Moroccan doors? Do you photograph arched doorways?