Is it legal to photograph government buildings or police in Morocco?

Photography in Morocco is mostly free and joyful — the colours, the architecture, the markets are a photographer’s dream, and snapping away in medinas, gardens, mosaics, landscapes and monuments is completely fine. But there is a clear list of things you should not point a camera at, and getting this wrong can turn a relaxed afternoon into a tense encounter with security, so it is worth knowing in advance.

The off-limits categories are consistent: military installations and personnel, police and gendarmes, government and administrative buildings, royal palaces and anything connected to the King, and border or security infrastructure. Photographing these can be treated as a genuine security matter — officials may demand you delete images, question you, or worse, and "I’m just a tourist" is not always a fast way out. The monarchy in particular is a sensitive subject across the board, so steer well clear of palace gates and royal motorcades with your camera.

The other big one is people. Moroccans are not props, and in many traditional and rural settings photographing someone without permission is genuinely resented — older people, women and Berber communities especially may strongly object. Always catch their eye and ask, with a smile or a gesture, before you shoot. Be aware too that performers, water-sellers in their bright costumes, snake charmers and animal handlers in places like Jemaa el-Fnaa expect to be paid for a photo, and will (reasonably) ask for money afterwards, so agree or decline up front.

My honest rule, which keeps everyone out of trouble: if it involves security, the state or the royal family, do not photograph it; if it involves a person, ask first. When you are unsure whether a building is sensitive, simply lower the camera — no shot is worth a problem. Stick to the markets, monuments, landscapes and the people who happily agree, tip the performers who pose for you, and you will come home with a glorious set of images and zero hassle. The vast majority of Morocco is yours to photograph freely.