Photographing people: ask first
The British Foreign Office recommends always asking permission before taking pictures of people, especially children. In Marrakech this matters most for women and older people, who often decline: a refusal must be respected, without insisting or shooting from a distance. Traders in the souks often agree to a photo of their stall if you ask politely, especially after a purchase. Places of worship have their own limits, detailed in our guide to mosques and places of worship.
Jemaa el-Fna: photos that cost money
On Jemaa el-Fna square, snake charmers, monkey handlers and costumed water sellers ask for money as soon as the lens turns toward them, sometimes a large sum. Agree the price before the photo, or refrain. Photographing the crowd and the stalls from a distance is not a problem. The square's other traps are covered in our scams to avoid guide; for the right change to hand over, see money and tipping.
Sensitive sites: do not photograph
The Foreign Office says it is illegal to take photographs near sensitive political or military sites. In practice, do not photograph police officers, soldiers or official and security buildings, and delete the image if an officer asks you to.
Paid sites: personal photos
In paid gardens and museums, such as the Majorelle Garden or the Ben Youssef Madrasa, personal photography is generally allowed. Professional shoots (wedding, fashion, filming) need prior permission: check with the site before arriving with equipment.
Drones: permission required
The Foreign Office states that to fly a drone in Morocco you need permission from the Directorate General for Civil Aviation, otherwise you risk fines and confiscation of your equipment. Travellers report that drones found in luggage are held by customs on arrival. As permission is in practice reserved for professional uses, the simplest course is to leave the drone at home.
At a glance
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Portrait of a local | Ask first, accept a refusal |
| Children | Ask the accompanying adult |
| Snake charmers, monkeys, water sellers (Jemaa el-Fna) | Paid photo, agree the price first |
| Police, soldiers, sensitive sites | Forbidden |
| Personal photo in a paid site | Generally allowed |
| Drone | Civil aviation permission mandatory |
Rules observed in October 2026 from the British Foreign Office.
Further reading
All the behaviour rules are gathered in our rules and etiquette in Marrakech guide.
