Marrakech Souks: The Shopping Guide

Souks by corporation

• Souk Semmarine: rugs, kilims, tent fabrics (Babouches at the end)
• Dyers' Souk: fabrics, clothing, scarves
• Babouche Souk: leather slippers (from 50 MAD)
• Cheritine Souk: leather goods, bags, belts (watch for counterfeits)
• Haddadine Souk: ironwork, lanterns, teapots
• Smata Souk: olives, spices (the most sensory!)
• Chouari Souk: wood, sculptures
• Kissaria Souk: fabric by the meter
• Sebbaghine Souk: dyers (colorants, dye baths)

The art of haggling

Haggling is the norm in the souks. Here are the rules:

1. Ask the price, and offer 30-40% of the asked price. Moroccans expect that.
2. Negotiate with a smile, never aggressively
3. Don't show too much interest in an item if you're not ready to buy
4. Compare 2-3 shops before buying (especially for rugs and jewelry)
5. Set a price and stick to it: walk away if refused (you'll often be called back)
6. Cash is king: paying cash gives more margin
7. The mint tea: if invited to drink, it's a good sign, but it doesn't mean you have to buy
8. Don't haggle for babouches or food: the price is fixed

Realistic price range (after haggling):

• Babouches: 50-150 MAD
• Leather bag: 200-500 MAD
• Silk scarf: 50-200 MAD
• Rug (small): 500-2000 MAD
• Rug (large, Berber): 3000-15000 MAD
• Metal lamp: 150-600 MAD
• Tajine: 80-300 MAD
• Spices (bag): 20-50 MAD
• Argan oil: 80-200 MAD
• Leather clothing: 400-1500 MAD
• Embroidered kaftan: 1000-5000 MAD
• Embroidered slippers: 100-300 MAD

The traps to avoid

• "It's free, come see!": often the start of a scam (forced sale, poor quality)
• "Where are you from? Good, I'll give you a friend's price": friend's price = 2-3x the right price
• The "spontaneous guide": he takes you to shops where he has a commission
• Street money exchange: scam guaranteed
• "Genuine leather" bags at 50 MAD: it's synthetic
• "Free henna": pressure to give a disproportionate tip

Where to buy what

• Authentic rugs: go to Nainain, Kechkal or Yassin (recommended by Lonely Planet, guaranteed quality, fair price). Avoid vendors who approach you in the street.
• Silver jewelry: jewelers' quarter, just west of Place des Ferblantiers. Compare prices (silver is by weight, ask for the hallmark). Avoid gold, often overpriced or dubious quality.
• Fine groceries: Spice Souk (Place des Ferblantiers). The Mabrouka grocery store (behind the square) is recommended.
• Natural cosmetics: black soap, ghassoul, argan oil: buy at the Herbier de l'Atlas (Marrakech) or at Arganier (Women's Cooperative).
• Leather: Bab Debbagh quarter (the tanneries). Leather cooperatives sell finished products.

How to pay

• Cash (dirhams): the norm, especially in the souks
• Credit card: increasingly accepted in "serious" shops
• Mobile money (Cash Plus, Wafacash): works
• Foreign currency: no, except in rare cases

When to go to the souks

• Morning (9am-12pm): less crowded, more choice, fresh merchants
• Afternoon (2-5pm): heat drops, ambiance at its peak
• Friday morning: calm (prayer day, some shops closed)
• Ramadan: shifted hours, but magical atmosphere in the evening

In the evening

When shops close around 7pm, Jemaa el-Fnaa square comes alive: food stalls, storytellers, snake charmers, musicians. It's free (you only pay for what you consume). The world's largest open-air food court.

Happy shopping!