The joy of travelling, for me, has never been limited to discovering new places, sampling unfamiliar cuisines, or immersing myself in different cultures. It also lies in the thrill of finding something that captures the soul of a destination, a piece of craftsmanship, a small collectible, a story I can hold in my hands.
And when it comes to finding those little treasures, Morocco is every traveller and shopaholic’s dream. It is a paradise for collectors and wanderers alike. The souks are like an explosion of colour, scent and sound, where the air is thick with the aroma of spice, hums of haggling voices in a distance, and a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in this beautiful chaos.
During my recent trip to Marrakech, I set out on a mission to uncover the best keepsakes to bring home, some for myself and others for family and friends. This is my guide to navigating Marrakech’s maze-like souks, discovering the most beautiful finds, and collecting stories you can pack in your suitcase.
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Shopping in Marrakech: Helpful Tips
Shopping in Marrakech is an art as it is an adventure. The narrow lanes twist and turn like a maze, sometimes leading you to hidden courtyards filled with carpets, sometimes to stalls that glimmer with brass lamps or smell of freshly ground cumin. It can be overwhelming at first, but once you learn the rhythm of it, it becomes addictive.
Bargaining is a part of the experience
Bargaining is an essential skill to come out of the souks triumphant. It isn’t just expected but also part of the fun. The prices are rarely fixed and mostly quoted based on your appearance.
During my shopping spree, I would always start by quoting half the price I was offered and work my way up from there, always keeping it polite and light-hearted. Most of the shopkeepers met me somewhere in the middle and I even got complimented – “are you a Moroccan because you bargain like one?”
Quote and Walk Away
The best trick to get a good deal is to quote your price and walk away. Simply name your price, smile, and begin to leave. More often than not, the shopkeeper will call you back to agree at your price or reduce his furthermore. And if not, you’ll still walk away with a better sense of what’s fair.
Go Early in the Morning
Many shopkeepers are eager to make their first sale of the day. It’s considered lucky for them and you can walk away with amazing deals. Shopping in the souks early in the morning is calmer, more beautiful and less overwhelming.
Carry Cash (Moroccan Dirhams)
Most of the shop owners accepted cards. However, a few levied an extra 2-3% processing fee. It’s best to carry cash whenever you shop in the souks. Cash transactions also help you get a better price.
Dress Modestly
It’s best to not look like a tourist. You don’t have to dress in djellabas but dressing modestly helps. Although extremely safe, it’s easier to wander in winding lanes when you don’t look like a tourist waiting to be trapped.
Language
The locals in the souks speak two major languages besides Arabic and Berber and if you’re fluent in either French or English, you’ll be good. Always enter the shop with a friendly greeting – Salam alaykum (peace be with you), or reply Wa alaykum salam (and peace to you).
One of our guides in Fes told us that this little phrase is like a key – use it whenever you’d like to take their picture or enter their shops.
Souks of Marrakech
What makes shopping in Marrakech a delight is that it isn’t a single market, but a living network of souks, each with its own rhythm, craft, and scent. As you meander through the medina, you slip almost imperceptibly from one into another, from textiles to spice, the clang of metalwork to hush of leather ateliers.
You can, of course, five in without a plan and it’s half the fun, but knowing the main souks will help you find your treasures faster.
Souk Semmarine
This is the great artery of the medina. Located near the famous Jemaa el-Fnaa, the souk is a vaulted canopy where light filters through reed slats in stripes. You can find everything from the embroidered kaftans and djellabas, leather bags and poufs, to patterned carpets and ceramics stacked in kaleidoscopic towers.
Prices and quality vary widely because it is one of the busiest and most frequented souks. The best is to browse, compare and circle back to what you’d like to buy.
Souk El Attarine
Souk El Attarine is the traditionally the perfumers’ quarter where you’ll find spices, perfumed oils, apothecary jars, and copper or brass lanterns. Spice merchants proudly arrange their wares in pyramids but it mostly looks like coloured conical covers. They follow a common practice to attract customers, which is to ask you to smell the orange-blossom or a black jasmine substance.
It is also acceptable to smell a few herbs and spices, learn their differences and politely walk away with a smile and a ‘shukran’.
Souk Smata
Souk Smata specialised in handmade leather slippers. If you’ve been attracted to buy yourself a pair of traditional babouches, this is the souk to visit. The merchants sell all kinds of babouches, embroidered, pointed, colourful and even the plain ones.
While it may be overwhelming, my best advice would be to look for neat, even stitching and a supple sole, and walk a few steps before you commit.
Souk Chouari
Souk Chouari is the carpenters’ quarter. Artisans shape cedar and thuya wood into carved boxes, chessboards, figurines, ladles, spoons, and even lattice screens. It’s quieter part of the souk and you might spot artisans sitting inside their workshop cum shop working their way on the wood.
Marrakech is quite famous for their woodwork and bringing back a traditional cedar wood carved box could be a great souvenir.
Souk Haddadine
Souk Haddadine or the blacksmith’s souk welcomes you with clang of hammer softening metals. If you’re looking to go back home with some traditional Moroccan lamps and lanterns, this is the souk you’d want to visit. Shopping here would require you to bargain a bit hard.
Rahba Kedima
Rahba Kedima is a small old auction square where stalls brim with cones of cumin and paprika, piles of saffron, jars of preserved lemons, and bundles of dried herbs, and even kohl. You’ll also find merchants selling musical instruments and woven baskets and bags. The famous Cafe des Epices is also in the square.
Where to Shop
We went on a shopping spree in Marrakech and found some of the nicest collectibles to bring back home. We have curated a list of specific shops worth checking out:
– Gadra Shop: visit for unique handmade fans with leather handles, a variety of jewellery and jackets. (I bought a handheld fan for 50 MAD)
– Marie Bastide: visit here for the loveliest silk scarves and unique bag charms (I bought a camel shaped bag charm for 300 MAD)
– Ceramics: this is heaven for ceramics. Visit here for beautiful plates, cups, and ceramic tagine to bring back home. It’s unmarked on the maps but it is the corner shop and near the entry of Souk Semmarine.(I got two ceramic plates for 100 MAD)
– Basket bags: visit here for basked bags in all shapes, sizes and designs. This is also an unmarked shop but near Bougie Flame Marrakech.
– Brass Mirrors: lamps and mirrors are intrinsic to Moroccan interiors and there’s no better place to buy one for your home. The shop is next to Sweet & Sook ice cream shop.
– Chez Ibrahim Le Berbere: visit here to shop leather hobo bags in all sizes and colours.
– Leather boho belts: the famous boho belts are available in abundance in the city. This shop is near BaSidi Shop. (I bought a belt with big round buckle for 100 MAD)
Must-Visit Stores in Marrakech
While shopping in the souks is a fun and playful experience, it can also get exhausting. Besides, if you want assured quality and variety, we have curated a list of stores worth checking out.
- Marwa: this is Morocco’s local women fashion brand and they offer trendy pieces at affordable prices.
- Michèle Baconnier: visit this boutique store for whimsical and unique ballerinas.
- Chabi Chic: visit this store to pick a unique home decor article.
- Al Matjar: if you’re looking to source rugs and carpets this is the store that you need to bookmark.
- Soufiane Zarib – also commonly referred to as the carpet king, it’s worth browsing the store.
- V Barkowski: this is a haven for luxury linens. It’s pricey but the quality is stunning.
Finally, if you would like to browse without getting lost in the winding lanes of the medina, this is the perfect guided tour to embark on the adventure.
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