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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. The recurring archways in Moroccan architecture give it a distinctive look, one that is easily recognizable, despite the variety of arch shapes used.

Take a look at this image, with three different Moroccan archways shapes amongst four arches, while there is only one Moroccan door along the wall. Add the repetitive pattern in the tiles and the solid colour textured wall and the look is inarguably Moorish.

Moroccan Doorways

Moroccan doors in Meknes

Beautiful wooden Moroccan arched doorways in Fes Morocco

Wooden Moroccan doors set in beautifully tiled arched doors

Local life in Meknes Morocco
A look at local life through an arched doorway.
The Blue Gate in Fes Morocco
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 Morocco
A closed gate along the Medina wall in Meknes.
Colourful door to a Koranic school in Meknes
A 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 Morocco
An open archway in the gate to the old city of Meknes.
Beautiful arched doorway of the Societe Generale, the bank in Fes Morocco
The bank, sitting just outside the Blue Gate in Fes.
arched doorways and Moroccan doors
Many Moroccan doors or surrounding arched doorways feature intricate tile work.
Massive Moroccan doors at the tourist office in Meknes Morocco.
Our girls give a bit of perspective to the size of these massive Moroccan doors at the tourist office in Meknes.
Looking into a Mosque in Fes Morocco
The call to prayer resonates off the walls, and the door to the mosque is open.
Street vendors in Fes Morocco
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.)

Features of Moroccan Doors

  • Moroccan doors are often oversized and intricately patterned.
  • Blue colours are commonly used on doors as represent the sky, heaven, water and the planet Mercury. Blues range from a greenish turquoise to dark indigo.

Features of Moroccan Arches

  • Originally designed for stability and structure, Moroccan arches are now more commonly decor.
  • The horseshoe arch, also called keyhole arch, is one of the most commonly used shapes in Moroccan architecture.
  • Arches are used in nearly all Moroccan homes.

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 seemed to be standard when we visited).
  • 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, 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 Lonely Planet’s Morocco Travel Guide. It won’t help you find Moroccan doors, but it will come in handy for the rest of your travels.

If you enjoyed these images of arched doorways, city gates, and Moroccan doors, please Pin it on Pinterest:

A collection of images of Moroccan doors set in arched doorways and surrounded by intricate tile work offer an insight into another world, a fascinating reflection of craftsmanship.

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

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Comments

  1. Great tips! I have an Olympus Tough camera and I love it. It’s a great little camera I can hide away in my pocket when I’m not snapping pics. Thanks for sharing your photos. I’m a huge architecture nerd and I really enjoyed looking at all of the details. #WeekendWanderlust

    Reply

  2. We do love Moroccan architecture, and the doors and arches are a big part of that. They are truly iconic, but from what we’ve seen, the whole country seems to be super photogenic. Can’t wait to visit ourselves! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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  6. You want to believe all these beautiful doors hold something mysterious and exotic behind them. Though they probably just hide normal homes and businesses. i can see why you took so many photos.

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  7. Lovely photos, and great tips about where and when it’s okay to take photos! It’s so important to make sure you’re not offending anyone when taking photos, especially when traveling in a new place. #theweeklypostcard

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  9. Nice pictures! We’ve never been to Morocco (despite we live in Barcelona… really close!) but is high in our bucket list. Hope that we can manage to visit this beautiful country soon. In the meantime we can have a look to your amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing in #TheWeeklyPostcard.

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  14. What a great collection of doors, Rhonda. I am a great fan of Moorish architecture and Morocco seems to be quite the place to see that. Your photos are spectacular!

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  18. I always love unique door shots and Morocco sure does have some gorgeous doors! Great tips about taking photos, I’m currently searching for a camera and may try the Olympus.

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  20. Hi Rhonda. What a wonderful collection of Moroccan Doors and Doorways. They are all beautiful but I think the most alluring is the half vision of a BBQ through the last gate with the atmospheric smoke. It makes me wish I was there.

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  21. I enjoy taking pictures of doors and windows when I travel. However, I guess Morocco needs to win a prize for its wonderful doors and arches. I like that some of your photos show different layers. There is a door and thru it you can see an arch and in some cases another arch. It is like it keep going and going and you ar enot sure what you are going to find in the next area. Feel awesome! #TPThursday #wkendtravelinspiration

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  23. I’m a huge fan of Arabic styled doors and windows. They always make for the perfect photo op. This post makes me want to go back to look at all the window and door shots I took at the Alhambra in Granada a few years ago.

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  25. I find the contrast between the rich architecture and the people lying in doorways very striking. I wouldn’t want to make assumptions, but the people do seem weary and look as if they are taking shelter – perhaps because they have nowhere else to go.

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  26. Oh, I love Arabic doors… I’ve been in few Muslim countries such as Algeria, Oman or Zanzibar, but I haven’t ever seen so nice… So beautiful photos 🙂 #wkendtravelinspiration

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  27. I love these doorways!! Your pictures of Morocco make me want to go there. The little one loves reading Aladin, so I guess can tell him we are going to Aladin’s home.

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  32. This is such a wonderful post. Those beautiful doors and archways are exactly the reason I would love to travel to Morocco. So many photo opportunities. You also gave some great photography tips, which I will share with my sister who is travelling there soon.

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  37. So many cool looking doors! I too find doors to be very interesting. My favorite is the one with the person sitting in the doorway, although the one with what looks like a smaller door in the large door is intriguing as well.

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  41. Doors and archways really are interesting subjects, aren’t they? Those are all amazing shots! 🙂

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  42. I feel so much better about all the time I have spent on Pinterest looking at interesting doors! I don’t know what it is – but I do find it so interesting and fascinating. It’s the combination of the actual “look” of the door — plus the whole idea of like you say – entering or opening up to something else. The mystery behind the door. it’s intriguing.

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  43. I would loveeee to visit Moroccio sometime. I think these pictures are awesome!!!!
    :))
    I think eveery door is distinct, so cannot chose!

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  44. I loved the doors to the Pantheon. I also loved the doors to the US Supreme Court building.

    I know they look similar and are not related, lol.

    You have the most amazing travels. I hope you print your pictures out and save them, it must be an extensively wonderful collection to peruse from time to time, if you do. 🙂

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  49. We have that in common, my mom is fascinated with doors as well and I love architectural photos anyway, we have a lot of door photos too! I had no idea we had that in common! GREAT shots! I can’t wait to visit Morocco!

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  51. Honestly, I feel a little bit jealous now:) I am an architect and this way a huge fan of the islamic architecture, I somehow feel some love about those geometric patterns and curves. The islamic ornamental design is pure math art; actually that’s what I research in my studio now. I wish I could visit these gorgeous doors as well! I really would like to sketch ’em all:)

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  63. These are fabulous. It’s a toss up between the door that’s green and blue or the one with the fine details carved into the brick. All are cool.

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  65. Hari OM
    Yes, I like doors!! Have a habit of photographing them also. I agree that there is invitation, curiosity, mystique…

    Photo number four holds all of that and the busy street actually adds to a kind of tension which is relieved by letting the eye and mind wander inwards – a sublime rendition of spiritual purpose!!

    Blessings, YAM xx

    Reply

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