Timing and Location
The souks of Marrakech are located north of Jemaa el Fna Square, and the main square has three entrances. The souks are a vibrant and fragrant labyrinth, stretching as far as the Musee de Marrakech and are open from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM. The best time to visit the souks is in the morning or when the weather is cool.Souks of Marrakech
1. Souk Semmarine
2. Souk Ableuh
3. Souk Smata
4. Souk Nejjarine
5. Rahba Kedima
6. Souk Kchacha
7. Souk Larzal
8. Souk Btana
9. Souk Cherratin and Souk El Kebir
10. Kissarias
11. Souk Zrabia
12. Souk des Teinturiers or Souk Sebbaghine
13. Souk des Bijoutiers
14. Souk des Chaudronniers
15. Souk Kimakhnine
16. Souk Harrarine
17. Souk Haddadine
18. Souk Chouari
19. Souk el Attarine
What to Buy from Souks in Marrakech
1. Babouches: One of the best things to buy in Marrakech are these well-known handmade leather slippers, which come in a wide range of colours. Just be sure to buy genuine leather babouches rather than polyester ones. For outdoor ones, plan to spend around 90 MAD, and for embroidered ones, 150 MAD.
2. Scarves: These indigo-dyed cotton products are frequently imported from India and are pretty reasonably priced. The price of scarves is 50–100 MAD.
3. Lanterns: Lanterns are a popular item to buy in Marrakech's souks and make wonderful accents for any home. Small aluminium lanterns cost between 100 and 250 MAD, while higher-end brass lanterns cost between 500 and 1500 MAD.
4. Ceramics: Decorative bowls and plates, mostly from Fez and Safi, range in price from 40 MAD (a small bowl or plate) to 300 MAD (a large plate or bowl).
5. Rugs and Carpets: Marrakech is an excellent spot to get Berber rugs and carpets. Carpets measuring 3 x 4 metres normally cost between 1500 and 3500 MAD, although more elaborate carpets from places like Tazenakht, Taliouin, and Rabat can sell for up to four times as much. Carpet vendors are renowned for being the plushiest and devious of all the souk vendors.
6. Pouffes: Prices for these simple, leather-cushioned footstools run from 150 to 200 MAD, while more elaborate designs cost 300 to 350 MAD.
7. Argan Oil: This Moroccan-native plant oil is used in cooking and as a cure-all for various physical ills. It is famous for its anti-ageing and moisturising qualities. Argan oil is commonly available in the souks of Marrakech, but to ensure you acquire high-quality products, get it from a trustworthy vendor. A small bottle of Argan cooking oil (150 ml) can cost up to 150 MAD, while a small bottle of Argan cosmetic oil (150 ml) can cost up to 220 MAD.
8. Leather Goods: Due to their strength and high quality, Moroccan leather goods are highly sought-after commodities. They are created from the skins of sheep, goats, cows, and camels. According to the material, you can find leather in a range of qualities. Medium-sized leather bags can cost you between 250 and 500 MAD, while leather jackets can cost you between 700 and 2000 MAD.
9. Teapots: A necessary piece of equipment for preparing Moroccan mint tea is the squat teapot with a tapering snout made of stainless steel or silver. Prices for teapots range from 150 to 300 MAD, depending on size.
10. Tajines: A tagine pot is a great item to buy in the souks of Marrakech if you have fallen in love with Moroccan cuisine and want to recreate the flavours at home. However, keep in mind that transporting them can be difficult due to their weight. Depending on size and quality, prices range from 25 to 250 MAD.
11. Olives: The Moroccan souks are famous for the range of olives that are available here. A big tub of olives can cost you around 30 to 50 MAD, and a small tub around 10 to 20 MAD.
Bargaining in the Souks of Marrakech
In Marrakech, haggling is not so much a custom as it is a duty. It is an integral part of the local culture. Many souk stores have no pricing posted because the owners feel it is only right for customers to haggle over the cost of the goods. Your ability to bargain will ultimately determine the prices you pay in the souks. You'll either love haggling as a tourist or hate it.- When you express interest in purchasing something, the shopkeeper will quote an outrageously high price that has nothing to do with the actual cost of the item in question and is only intended to gauge how open you are to making a counteroffer.
- You must have a general idea of the approximate cost of the item you want to buy in order to haggle successfully. Decide on a maximum price as well, beyond which you will not buy the item.
- Start your first offer at roughly one-fourth of the amount that has been quoted, then move up. The goal is to negotiate a price that benefits both the buyer and the seller.
- This negotiation exercise has no set rules that must be followed. It's crucial to avoid using excessive force. Walk away if the vendor won't accept your desired price. This may motivate them to give you a better offer. Even if they don't, you can shop at lots of other stores.
- Just keep in mind that it is impolite and poor etiquette to agree on a price, then change your mind and decline to buy.
- The most crucial piece of advice for haggling in the souks of Marrakech is to refrain from asking the price unless you're absolutely ready to make a purchase. Asking for something's price in Morocco is the same as agreeing to buy it, and if you try to leave after asking for the price, the seller will do all in their power to close the deal. Avoid wasting your time by asking questions about products you aren't truly interested in because the sellers are incredibly convincing.
Essential Tips for Visiting Souks of Marrakech
Be Prepared To Get Lost: It might be difficult, to say the least, to find your way through the maze of little streets that make up Marrakech's souks. The softly lighted serpentine walkways will make you totally lost no matter how good your sense of direction is. It is simple to become misdirected, and the stalls and streets can rapidly begin to seem the same. Being lost in the souks is part of the pleasure since you never know what might be around the next corner, so it's not always negative.Get a Map: Having a map or keeping your GPS on is the best way to avoid getting totally lost in the souks of Marrakech. Finding a map of the medina with a scale small enough to illustrate all the narrow lanes that run through the souks is difficult, though.
Keep in mind that the medina is surrounded by a wall when a map or GPS fails; by walking straight in any direction, you should eventually reach the medina's wall. To help you get oriented, keep an eye out for the signposts pointing to the Jemaa el Fna or the tall minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque in the souks.
Directions: Avoid asking strangers for directions because they might offer to take you and then demand payment. Instead, always seek help from local authorities, families with young children, or traders in the souks who are unable to quickly abandon their stalls.
Go on a guided tour: It's well worth the money to take a guided souk tour to learn more about the Marrakech souks, walk the main streets, and meet some of the artisans. If you're pressed for time or want to see sights that you would miss on your own, a guided tour is a great option. There are numerous tours available, many of which involve stops at the artists' studios.
Watch out for fake guides: There are a lot of "fake" guides operating in and around the souks who promise to direct tourists to the best stores and assist them in haggling for lower prices. In this scam, the tour guides direct you to stores that give them commission on any purchases you make (typically at their friend's or uncle's store), which will then, of course, be added to your bill.
Keep an eye out for forgeries: Many counterfeit goods sold in Marrakech's souks for exorbitant prices are of questionable quality. The seller may try to convince you otherwise, but these products are clearly counterfeit. If you can't tell the difference between a genuine and a fake, pass on the item and save your money. If an offer seems too good to be true, proceed with due care!
Be cautious when interacting with henna tattoo artists in souks. A typical con involves a woman grabbing your hand and beginning to make a simple design without your permission. She will then attempt to persuade you to purchase a larger design and demand payment for an extra service. Avoiding the henna artisans entirely is advised because they are extremely pushy.
Take a break: Wandering around the souks while being hassled by peddlers can get tiring.In the souks, there is strong competition among the vendors, but you must keep in mind that this is their source of income. You will never have the wonderful experience of the souks in Marrakech if you are too stiff. It's a good idea to take a break occasionally to maintain your energy and keep your head calm. Around the souks, there are a tonne of rooftop cafes and eateries where you can relax with a glass of cooling mint tea and observe the bustling atmosphere from a distance.
Take pictures responsibly: Be mindful of your photographic choices as you wander through Marrakech's souks. Don't just randomly shove your phone or camera into people's faces and assume they'll be amused to have their photos taken, especially women. The majority of Moroccans dislike having their pictures taken and usually express this concern. Always get someone's permission before taking their picture, and be aware that some locals may demand payment in exchange for the perfect picture.
Keep a close eye on your possessions: Once you enter the souks, be sure to keep a close eye on your wallet, camera, and other valuables because they are an obvious target for pickpockets. It is strongly advised to leave behind the usual tourist accessories like watches, jewellery, and belt wallets. Avoid withdrawing large sums of money in public places, and leave your passports in the hotel safe.
Keep your eyes and ears open; the souks' numerous sights, sounds, and fragrances might be distracting. However, it's crucial to maintain concentration in order to be aware of the dangers posed by the numerous motorcycles, bicycles, carts, donkeys, and throngs of people.
Avoid trying to take everything all in at once; while the souks' alluring sounds, aromas, and vibrant sights are appealing, they can become too much after a time. If you are visiting Marrakech for a few days, it is strongly suggested that you go to the souks several times to get the most out of them.