One of the best ways to experience Marrakech, or any destination for that matter, is just to walk. Some of my favorite travel moments are getting the opportunity to witness daily lives that are different than my own and it’s easy to get a big picture of that within the medina in Marrakech. It’s busy and easy to get lost in, but that’s also where you see the most interesting sights. This photo walk was simply me wandering and documenting what I saw.

Location: Marrakech Medina

Time of year: March

Time needed: 2–3 hours of walking

Camera: Sony a7iii

Lens: Sony E PZ 18-105mm and Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

Would I recommend it: Yes, especially in the morning when vendor stalls first open or late afternoon just before rush hour

The Doors

One of the first things most people notice in Marrakech is the doors. Some are large and ornate, others are small and worn, and some even have doors within doors, but most, if not all, of them are beautifully detailed and painted in cobalt blues, pistachio greens, and metal grays. To me, as an American, the color choices feel especially intentional and make a striking statement about how you might your business or home to appear even from the place you enter.

The Souks & Markets

As you walk, you’ll eventually find yourself coming across neighborhood markets with fruit, vegetables, meats, eggs, spices, and whatever you think you could need to cook fresh meals daily. In the souks you’ll find a little bit of everything from rugs to light fixtures to shoes and leather bags to skin care and beauty products. What I love most is that everything, no matter what it is, is colorful, detailed, and artistic. In that aspect, Marrakech is one of the most remarkable places I’ve ever been. I can only imagine what it must be like to live every day in what looks like a kaleidoscope.

The Streets

Walking through the medina, you realize the streets are constantly changing. Some are wide and filled with shops and people, and others are narrow and very quiet with just a few doorways and bicycles passing through. Scooters are quickly coming up behind you, strangers are stopping to greet you, and you have the opportunity to experience the sound of everyday life.

The Details

What made Marrakech interesting to me were all the small and intricate details in the tiles, textures, colors, fabrics. Even the way the light hits the buildings at different times of day feels purposeful. It’s a very dynamic and textured city, and there is something to photograph everywhere you look.