After spending a few days in Marrakech, we were very excited to explore a different part of Morocco. While Marrakech is fantastic, it is a chaotic city with constant activity. We were looking forward to exploring the Berber area of the Atlas Mountains.

The drive to the Atlas Mountains takes about 1 hour, and it is magnificent. You will quickly gain elevation once you leave Marrakech, and the views are breathtaking. The Atlas Mountains, with their snow-capped peaks, were much larger and more beautiful than we had imagined.

You will pass by small villages as you ascend into the mountains. This part of Morocco is home to the Berber community. The Berbers have their own culture, food, and traditions. We were looking forward to learning more about the Berbers.

We loved our visit, and I will go over a few suggestions for photography locations in this mini-guide.

WHERE ARE THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS?

The Atlas Mountains are a series of mountain ranges extending almost 2,500 kilometers (1,600 miles) across North Africa. They pass through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, separating the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean Sea. This is where you'll find snow-capped Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, that rises to 4,167 meters (about 12,000 feet).

Where to Stay

We stayed in an incredible Riad called Kasbah Tamadot. Sir Richard Branson owns the hotel. This is truly a magnificent location and hotel.

Kasbah Tamadot is located near Asni, a small Berber village and bustling marketplace in the foothills of Morocco’s spectacular Atlas Mountains.

The meaning of Tamadot is ‘soft breeze’ in Berber. The hotel sits at the top of a valley with views of majestic Mount Toubkal. Here are a few photos of the hotel.

The rooms are simply fantastic and are decorated with very unique antique pieces from all over the world. The service was extremely kind and friendly.

The entire staff is from the local area and are proud to show you their traditions. You can take cooking classes, hike with local guides into the mountains, or relax in this beautiful relaxing hotel. It is definitely a place to slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature.

The Asni Valley

Nestled in the heart of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, Asni Valley is a hidden gem that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Asni Valley is breathtakingly beautiful, with lush green hills and snow-capped mountains creating a picturesque landscape. The valley is home to many traditional Berber villages, where you can experience a way of life that has remained unchanged for centuries.

Asni Valley is famous for its weekly souk, where locals gather to buy and sell goods. The souk is vibrant, with vendors selling everything from spices, textiles, and handicrafts to livestock and produce. You can wander through the souk and immerse yourself in the local culture while bargaining for all sorts of traditional crafts.

Photography Locations

There are a lot of beautiful locations in the area to photograph. Here are a few of my recommendations

Views from Kasbah Tamadot

The views from the hotel are stunning. There is plenty to photography in the surrounding mountains and villages.

Visiting the Village of Asni

I would highly recommend visiting the Asni Market on Saturdays. The hotel provided us a guide to walk through the market and explain the traditions, foods and crafts in the market. It was a truly fantastic experience.

I could watch the people in the vilage for hours

We found so many local foods and produce in the market. The locals were very friendly and encouraged us to try regional specialties.

There is an interesting custom —when someone has purchased a Tangine the restaurant places a tomato on the top to show that this one has been sold.

The market itself is huge, and there are so many things to look at, from spices, nuts, fruits & vegetables. clothing, jewelry, the locals bartering, carpets, and so much more.

Berber families move down from the mountains by donkeys and mules to the market.

Visiting a Berber Carpet Shop

We also visited and purchased some carpets in Asni from the gentleman below. There is so much variety, colors, sizes, and different qualities to choose from. .

Driving Through the Mountains

We took a drive through the mountains surrounding the hotel. In a word, the views are breathtaking. You will see farmers tending sheep, paragliders, and snow-capped mountains.

I hope you have enjoyed this mini Travel & Photography Guide to the Atlas Mountains. If you enjoyed this guide, I have many more guides at this link.