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From the Shining Seas to the Sandy Sahara, These 15 Photographs Showcase the Sensational Scenery of Morocco

This selection of Smithsonian Photo Contest submissions amount to a stunning virtual tour of the Mediterranean nation that includes camels and cats, medina markets and mosques

Blue Town
Blue Town
The city of Chefchaouen is known for the brilliant blue hue covers the walls of buildings throughout the city. Midori Chan, 2019

From the Shining Seas to the Sandy Sahara, These 15 Photographs Showcase the Sensational Scenery of Morocco

This selection of Smithsonian Photo Contest submissions amount to a stunning virtual tour of the Mediterranean nation that includes camels and cats, medina markets and mosques

Photographs selected by Quentin Nardi

Blue Town
The city of Chefchaouen is known for the brilliant blue hue covers the walls of buildings throughout the city. Midori Chan, 2019

Situated in northwestern Africa, Morocco’s landscape features a stunning range that includes coasts on the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea on one end of the spectrum and the golden dunes of the Sahara, on the other. Between those geographical landmarks are several cities and medinas where Arab, Berber and European cultures merge, offering a glimpse at the area’s history. Nearly 20 million travelers visited the country in 2025, many to visit the country’s nine UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the medieval town Medina of Fez.  

With its brightly colored towns, ancient architecture and scenic landscapes, Morocco is a photographer’s dream. Take a look.   

man in red
The Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss II—which contains the tomb of Idriss II, who founded the city of Fez and ruled Morocco in the ninth century—is considered the holiest shrine in the country. Casper Sørensen, 2024
Goats in Trees
Who needs grass? Tree-climbing goats, abundant in arid areas such as southwestern Morocco, balance on branches as they chomp on leaves. Luis Maria Barrio, 2018
Shoe Shop
Wall-to-wall shoes in a kaleidoscope of colors surround a shop owner in Medina of Fez. Casper Sørensen, 2023
Berbering
Traditional Berber clothing is known for its geometric embroidery and symbolic tribal patterns. Here, tourists dressed for the role stop to take selfies. Apolo Sales, 2025
Seaside Comp
A young woman looks out at the ocean as silhouetted passersby move around nearby on a beautiful afternoon in Asilah. Dan Fenstermacher, 2019
Spices
Spices in a variety of colors and textures fill the shelves of a quaint shop in Marrakech. Michael Biggs, 2020
Night Food Stand
One of the biggest attractions in Morocco, this square in Marrakech is teeming with people, shops and life in the evening. Vladimir Karamazov, 2019
Mosque
The mosque in the Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum in Rissani serves as a quiet place for worship for many. Arthur Beesley, 2023
Leather Tanning
Colorful dyes in large vats fill a factory floor where a worker colors leather and other goods. Casper Sørensen, 2024
cat
Morocco is known for areas with large populations of street cats. Rajani Ramanathan, 2018
Desert Sunrise
A man watches as the sun rises over an ocean of sand dunes. Vikas Lonakadi, 2021
Night time Camel
Before settling in for a night’s rest in Merzouga, a camel looks up toward the star-filled sky, seemingly enjoying the view. Tyler Stallings, 2019
Hot Airl Balloons
From the basket of a hot-air balloon, a tourist captures a photo of other balloons floating near Marrakech. Dominic LeRose, 2024

Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

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