Moroccan doors set in Moorish arches and surrounded by intricate tile work offer an insight into another world.
They are a fascinating reflection of impeccable craftsmanship. The recurring archways in Moroccan architecture give it a distinctive look, one that is easily recognizable, despite the variety of exact arch shapes used.
Take a look at this photo I took in Meknes, with three different Moroccan archway shapes amongst four arches, while there is only one Moroccan door along the wall. Add the repetitive pattern in the tiles and the solid colour textured wall, and the look is inarguably Moorish.
Features of Moorish Arches
After spending a month in Morocco, we saw hundreds of different Moroccan doors, often set into a variety of subtly different shapes.
Yet, despite the differences, there is something unique about the general style. When we visited places in Spain like Alhambra in Granada or the Alcazar in Seville, their similar archways instantly conjured up images of Morocco in my head.
The key features are:
- Originally designed for stability and structure, today, Moroccan arches are often just for decoration.
- The horseshoe arch (also called the keyhole arch, Moroccan arch, or Moorish arch) is one of the most common shapes in Moroccan architecture. It’s emblematic of Islamic architecture.
- The arch itself forms more than just a semicircle, with a rounded, pointed or lobed top portion.
- Expertly crafted with precision and detail.
- We saw arches in nearly every Moroccan mosque, home, gate, and other buildings.
The Moussem of Moulay Idriss II Festival is featured in the lower photo.
Features of Moroccan doors
- Moroccan doors are often oversized and intricately patterned.
- Often made with expert craftmanship skills passed down through the generations.
- Blue colours commonly used on doors represent the sky, heaven, water and the planet Mercury. Blues range from greenish turquoise to dark indigo.
- Walking the streets of both the medinas and modern areas of town, one can see an eclectic mix of newer doors and century-old masterpieces.
- Often the patterns tell a story, frequently defining heritage or culture.
Moroccan doors on this page
Although we travelled throughout much of the country, the Moroccan doors on this page are in Fes and Meknes.
Save on your trip with these resources
These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Motorcycles: we have heard good things about BikesBooking.
- Private guides: we often find the best option is to work with a private guide from Viator.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
Save for later
If you enjoyed this article, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.
Obligatory Traveler
Thanks for sharing your photos. I’m a huge architecture nerd and I really enjoyed looking at all of the details.
Rob+Ann
We do love Moroccan architecture, and the doors and arches are a big part of that. They are truly iconic, but from what we’ve seen, the whole country seems to be super photogenic. Can’t wait to visit ourselves!
Molly
These remind me of our trip to Tunisia
Mollyx
Michelle | michwanderlust
Hmmm the style reminds me of some of the architecture I saw in Seville, I guess that’s the Moorish influence? I’d love to visit Morocco someday!
Patrick Weseman
Very beautiful. What a wonderful place.
eileen g
You want to believe all these beautiful doors hold something mysterious and exotic behind them. Though they probably just hide normal homes and businesses. i can see why you took so many photos.
Hilary
Lovely photos, and great tips about where and when it’s okay to take photos! It’s so important to make sure you’re not offending anyone when taking photos, especially when traveling in a new place.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
They are all beautiful, of course, but my favorite is the one with the barbecue. The light on the smoke is perfect.
Mapping The Map
Nice pictures! We’ve never been to Morocco (despite we live in Barcelona… really close!) but is high in our bucket list. Hope that we can manage to visit this beautiful country soon. In the meantime we can have a look to your amazing pictures.
Leanne
They have a very distinct shape! Very “Moroccan”.
Jackie Smith
Love the doors and am glad I found another shutter-bug who takes as many photos of them as I do. Fabulous post. I could almost smell the food being bbq-ed in that last photo!!
Lisa
Absolutely beautiful! Such amazing shapes and colours… though it does sound like it might be a little intimidating to take photos.
Kim Marie
I always thought they looked like Keyholes in a giants house what about you?
Rhonda Albom
I never thought of it that way, but I see it now.
Anda
What a great collection of doors, Rhonda. I am a great fan of Moorish architecture and Morocco seems to be quite the place to see that. Your photos are spectacular!
Lessandra Grimley
Beautiful Moroccan architecture and doorways! Thanks!
Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski
You could say I’m obsessed with old doors of all kinds.
Trekking with Becky
This is AWESOME! I love the theme since I have a weird obsession with doors, gates, entrances, etc. because they tell you soooooo much.
Jenn
I always love unique door shots and Morocco sure does have some gorgeous doors! Great tips about taking photos, I’m currently searching for a camera and may try the Olympus.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda – stunning aren’t they … love seeing the vistas you create … it just must be beautiful to see – cheers Hilary
budget jan
Hi Rhonda. What a wonderful collection of Moroccan Doors and Doorways. They are all beautiful but I think the most alluring is the half vision of a BBQ through the last gate with the atmospheric smoke. It makes me wish I was there.
Ruth
I enjoy taking pictures of doors and windows when I travel. However, I guess Morocco needs to win a prize for its wonderful doors and arches. I like that some of your photos show different layers. There is a door and thru it you can see an arch and in some cases another arch. It is like it keep going and going and you ar enot sure what you are going to find in the next area. Feel awesome! #TPThursday #wkendtravelinspiration
Amanda - EatWorkTravel
What a great round-up of doors! So interesting with the unique arch. Interesting fact that some people make their living posing for photos, I had no idea.
Nancie McKinnon
I’m a huge fan of Arabic styled doors and windows. They always make for the perfect photo op. This post makes me want to go back to look at all the window and door shots I took at the Alhambra in Granada a few years ago.
Lydia C. Lee
So ornate, some of them. Beautiful!!
Kyla Matton Osborne
I find the contrast between the rich architecture and the people lying in doorways very striking. I wouldn’t want to make assumptions, but the people do seem weary and look as if they are taking shelter – perhaps because they have nowhere else to go.
Tomas
Oh, I love Arabic doors… I’ve been in few Muslim countries such as Algeria, Oman or Zanzibar, but I haven’t ever seen so nice… So beautiful photos 🙂 #wkendtravelinspiration
shere
I love these doorways!! Your pictures of Morocco make me want to go there. The little one loves reading Aladin, so I guess can tell him we are going to Aladin’s home.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Even the simple ones are quite beautiful.
Sandee
They sure have a lot of rules about things. I’m glad you all had a great time.
Great photography as always.
Have a fabulous day. ☺
beatravelling
Great photos! Love the doors!
Jill
Love the photos and the doors – and the snatches of people in them living everyday life also.
Birgit | Groove Is In The Heart
This is such a wonderful post. Those beautiful doors and archways are exactly the reason I would love to travel to Morocco. So many photo opportunities. You also gave some great photography tips, which I will share with my sister who is travelling there soon.
Lolo
OMG I love all of these Moroccan doors!! One of the many reasons why I want to go there!! #wkendtravelinspiration
Tanja (the Red phone box travels)
beautiful doors!
Patrice
Love that shape!
Cathi
Such interesting photographs! I love to travel and learn of other lands and cultures. Happy WW!
Nita
So many cool looking doors! I too find doors to be very interesting. My favorite is the one with the person sitting in the doorway, although the one with what looks like a smaller door in the large door is intriguing as well.
imaddy
Great pictures. Love the designs of the different doors.
aquariann
Delightful doors!
♥ aquariann
posh
I am always amazed at how many people fit into the streets in these places.
Stacy Uncorked
Doors and archways really are interesting subjects, aren’t they? Those are all amazing shots! 🙂
Rorybore
I feel so much better about all the time I have spent on Pinterest looking at interesting doors! I don’t know what it is – but I do find it so interesting and fascinating. It’s the combination of the actual “look” of the door — plus the whole idea of like you say – entering or opening up to something else. The mystery behind the door. it’s intriguing.
Z @ kickingkilos
I would loveeee to visit Moroccio sometime. I think these pictures are awesome!!!!
:))
I think eveery door is distinct, so cannot chose!
Anonymous
I loved the doors to the Pantheon. I also loved the doors to the US Supreme Court building.
I know they look similar and are not related, lol.
You have the most amazing travels. I hope you print your pictures out and save them, it must be an extensively wonderful collection to peruse from time to time, if you do. 🙂
Erika Price
I find doors and archways fascinating too! They’re all beautiful, but the blue one is my favourite, cos I love anything blue & whte 🙂
Patty
Gorgeous doorways! My obsession is bridges.
Joanne Viola
The 7th one is my favorite. Although these are all beautiful shots! Thank you for sharing them.
Danica Martin
Love the designs! 🙂 Danica
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
We have that in common, my mom is fascinated with doors as well and I love architectural photos anyway, we have a lot of door photos too! I had no idea we had that in common! GREAT shots! I can’t wait to visit Morocco!
Julie
Lots of beautiful photos. Every door is interesting in its own way. Loved your last line, and it really rings true!
bonooobong
Honestly, I feel a little bit jealous now:) I am an architect and this way a huge fan of the islamic architecture, I somehow feel some love about those geometric patterns and curves. The islamic ornamental design is pure math art; actually that’s what I research in my studio now. I wish I could visit these gorgeous doors as well! I really would like to sketch ’em all:)
Heather Walter
Those gates are so neat looking! Love it!
Sofia
I want to visit Morocco!!
Sheryl
Moroccan doorways really are the most beautiful in the world. They are my absolute favorite!
Sukhmandir Kaur
Absolutely fascinating 🙂 My favorite is the door within the door within the door!
Dominique Goh
REally interesting an intricate doors.
Ai Sakura
they are so beautiful!
Ai
Alissa Apel
They do have cool doors!
Renae of Simple Sequins
Those exotic places are so interesting. Thank you for these photos of your adventures.
Danielle Royalegacy
The Blue Gate is beautiful! It would be great to be able to visit Morocco one day.
Danielle
Cafe au lait
Beautiful doors.
Joy
These are fabulous. It’s a toss up between the door that’s green and blue or the one with the fine details carved into the brick. All are cool.
April - My Bizarre Family
I LOVE the pictures! Old buildings like these greatly interest me!
Yamini Ali MacLean
Hari OM
Yes, I like doors!! Have a habit of photographing them also. I agree that there is invitation, curiosity, mystique…
Photo number four holds all of that and the busy street actually adds to a kind of tension which is relieved by letting the eye and mind wander inwards – a sublime rendition of spiritual purpose!!
Blessings, YAM xx
Sandyspider
The first doorway is my favorite. These are all amazing. Wish I was there:)
Andy
They like their rounded doors! Very cool.
steve B
What wonderful photo’s, interesting too 🙂
Chavonne H
Wow very interesting. I like the blue one.
Meryl
Confusing – all those gates…