When you jet off on a trip, one of the main attractions is seeing and experiencing different things as you travel. If you’ve got your sights set on Morocco as a potential destination, don’t miss out on exploring its incredible souks.
These vibrant street markets (or souks as they are known locally) have been the heart and soul of Morocco’s cities for centuries and we’re going to take a look at a few of the main ones to discover in Marrakech. It’s worth pointing out that there often aren’t clear distinctions between where one souk begins and another ends – the best way to tell is from the goods on sale.
It’s great fun discovering Marrakech’s souks and most of the city’s most famous markets are found around Djemma el Fna square – there are also plenty of affordable hotels in this area of Marrakech, so you can stay in the centre of the action.
Check out my list of the must visit souks you have to visit in Marrakech.
1. Souk Semmarine
This is a wonderful place to begin your exploration of Marrakech’s markets as it’s the main strip that leads on to many of the other specialised souks. As you walk down this stretch, you’ll see a vast array of beautiful and carefully crafted goods on display, including ceramics, carpets and textiles.
Wander slowly and don’t feel as though you need to rush. At the point where Souk Semmarine splits, you can choose to visit the heady environment of the spice souk or the dazzling lights of Souk el Attarine, which sells lanterns, mirrors and a selection of copper, brass and silver items.
2. Souk Kimakhine
This is the marketplace for musical instruments, where you will find tambourines and drums lined up alongside guitars and unique Moroccan instruments, such as guembris and darboukas.
Take a close look at the intricate detail on some of these instruments, which have been created with a lot of love (as have many of the items on sale in Morroco’s markets) – it’s a great place to get to grips with the sounds of the city.
3. Souk Sebbaghine
Souk Sebbaghine is the dyer’s souk, which means it’s one of the most vibrant in Marrakech. This is where you’ll see bundles of wool and silk in all the colours of the rainbow and plenty more besides. Many of these materials are dyed using natural pigments – such as saffron, rose and indigo – and you can see the freshly-dyed wool that’s spread out and left to dry in the sun littering the streets as you wander.
4. Souk Smata
In this souk, you will see rows upon rows of pairs of beautiful Moroccan slippers – or babouches. These are decorated in all manner of colours and with varied designs, some of which are simple and others that are ornate, and feature bright sequins and beads.
You can watch the craftsmen here going about their work as they make more pairs of shoes to add to the seemingly endless collection on display – a fascinating break amid the hustle and bustle.
Tips for Visiting Marrakech’s Souks
Whether you’re heading into Marrakech’s markets with the intention of making purchases, or you simply want to see the varied stalls for yourself, there are a few things to bear in mind. Firstly, always ask permission of the craftsmen if you want to take their photo – even though most of them are used to curious tourists, it’s best to be polite.
Secondly, be ready to haggle – and also to say no. Be firm if you’re really not interested in someone’s goods, but if you’d like to buy play the bartering game to get the best price. Relax and enjoy the banter with the stallholder – set yourself an upper limit before you start though, to make sure you don’t spend all your cash in one go.
View more of my Morocco travel tips.
