Wandering through the souks of Marrakech is an unforgettable adventure. The vibrant blend of colors, the scent of spices, the calls of vendors, and the lively crowd overwhelm your senses, leaving you wondering, “Where do I even start?”
Exploring the Marrakech souks is a must-do on any visit to Morocco. You’ll discover an array of bargains and unique keepsakes, along with street food, spices, herbal remedies, and more. The true charm of the souks lies in their vibrant energy and busy atmosphere. To help you navigate and find exactly what you’re looking for, here’s our guide to shopping in Marrakech’s souks…
Navigating the Souks
First, it’s important to understand the basics. In Marrakech, the souk is a sprawling, maze-like network of vendors and stalls that extends from the central Jemaa el-Fna square all the way to the Musée de Marrakech. There are several entrances and exits to the souks, with the most prominent being directly behind the square.
The souks are generally open from about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, though hours may vary during religious festivals like Ramadan.
Every tour organized by Riad Hikaya includes a guided visit to the souks, led by a local expert to help you find exactly what you’re looking for and make sure you don’t get lost! However, if you decide to explore on your own, here are some helpful tips on what to look for and where to find it.
Sections of the Souks
The main area is known as Souk Semmarine. This broad alley features a variety of souks where you can find everything from pastries and pottery to textiles. About halfway down the alley, you’ll come to a fork: take the right-hand fork to reach the spice square, or the left-hand fork to arrive at Souk el Attarine, which is filled with traditional ornaments like lanterns, teapots, and lamps.
Continuing through Souk el Attarine, you’ll pass by Souk el Kebir and Souk Cherratin, which specialize in leather goods. You’ll also see various tanneries at work. To the left of Souk el Kebir, you’ll find the kissarias, covered souks offering clothing and textiles, while to the right is Souk des Bijoutiers, where you can buy jewelry.
Toward the northern edge of the souks, you’ll discover Souk Chouari and Souk Haddadine, where carpenters and blacksmiths work in the streets. Southwest from here is Souk Sebbaghine, where clothmakers dye their fabrics. Nearby, Souk Kimakhine offers traditional Moroccan and Gnaoua musical instruments.
Navigating the souks can be challenging, especially on your first visit to Marrakech, as they tend to blend together. It’s best to allow yourself plenty of time to explore and enjoy the experience.
If you’re trying to locate a specific place, consider picking up a tourist map and using it alongside your phone’s GPS. You can also ask locals for directions, but be aware they might expect a tip and may take you to additional stalls along the way. Alternatively, use the minaret of Koutoubia Mosque as a reference point to help orient yourself.
What to buy in the Marrakech souks
You can find just about anything you can imagine in the souks of Marrakech. Whether you’re searching for spices, souvenirs, clothing, or carpets, there’s an abundance of options to explore.
The selection of items in the souks is so extensive that it’s hard to list everything, but here are a few popular items to look out for during your visit:
1. Lanterns and lamps
The lanterns in the Marrakech souks are truly iconic. You’ll find hundreds of these beautifully intricate lanterns adorning doors and rafters in the souvenir markets, sparkling in the sunlight or glowing at night. They make for an excellent keepsake and a lovely memento of your visit.
2. Teapots
Moroccan teapots are equally renowned. These silver teapots are traditionally used to pour steaming hot mint tea from a height into the cup, and they make a charming souvenir to bring back home. They come in various sizes and materials, ranging from affordable metals to genuine silver.
3. Tagine pots and ceramics
You won’t find a better place to buy a tagine pot than Marrakech. The souks are filled with hundreds of vibrant, hand-painted tagine pots, so it’s worth exploring a bit before making a decision. If you’re after a smaller, budget-friendly keepsake, you can also find miniature tagine-style pots for condiments—typically used for salt and cumin in Morocco—that fit perfectly into the corners of your luggage!
4. Carpets and rugs
One of Morocco’s standout offerings is its carpets. These are some of the priciest items in the souks and represent a significant commitment in terms of both cost and practicality, given their size! When you visit a carpet souk, you can expect to be welcomed with mint tea and then shown a range of options, as the sales process tends to be quite engaging. If you’re in search of a beautiful, handmade Berber carpet or a boucherouite rug, this is an excellent place to find one.
5. Clothing
In Marrakech’s souks, you’ll find a wide range of clothing options. While many visitors seek traditional Moroccan scarves, pashminas, kaftans, and patterned trousers, you can also shop for t-shirts and jeans. The variety is extensive, with endless choices in colors, styles, and fabrics.
6. Slippers
Local slippers are among the most popular items for visitors to Morocco. These vibrant, embroidered slippers are truly eye-catching. Locally, they are known as Balgha, while the versions that resemble pump-style outdoor shoes are called Mojris. Both types can be found throughout the souks.
7. Spices
You’ll likely catch the aroma of the spice souks before you even see them, but once you do, the sight is impressive! The stalls are filled with spices in every vibrant color imaginable, arranged in mounds, from cooking spices to dried flowers and beyond.
