Shopping in Marrakesh: A Guide to the Souks

The dazzling souks of Marrakesh are teeming with beautiful objects to be taken home; colourful spices, walls of brightly lit lanterns, and radiantly patterned ceramics, to name a few. These simple haggling tips will help you secure a fair price while making unique purchases. Just remember to leave space in your suitcase.

What to Know Before You Start Shopping

Marrakesh is the beating heart of Morocco; traders come from all over the country, many of them with workshops in their hometowns. Different souks will specialize in various products; for example, in the Souq Haddadine, you’ll be able to see blacksmiths at work and buy directly from them. Marrakesh is particularly known for its locally produced spices sold by the bag. The Berber influence is also prevalent in these markets, showcasing craftsmanship and design in colorful bread baskets, hand-woven rugs, and intricate silver jewelry.

A word of warning about the main tourist souks outside the Djemaa El Fna. They can feel overwhelming and claustrophobic; although the stalls are considered “outside,” the pathways between them are covered. GPS doesn’t function particularly well here, so when guides suggest “getting lost in the souks,” it’s a very literal suggestion. Expect intense smells, vivid colors, narrow winding lanes, and perhaps most surprisingly, the constant calls of every shopkeeper trying to entice you into their shops.

While it can be frustrating to be continuously approached by peddlers, remaining civil is vital. The intense competition reflects the fact that this is their livelihood. Instead of ignoring the shopkeepers or responding rudely, consider saying:

• “I’ll let you know when I find something.”
• “I need a minute to look around.”
• “Do you mind giving me a few minutes to see the items?”

If you don’t intend to stop, just keep walking while offering a polite smile and a gentle shake of the head. You’ll be surprised at how many shopkeepers will return your smile with a wave!

How to Haggle Effectively

As a beginner in haggling, it’s often beneficial to allow the shopkeeper to initiate the negotiation. After selecting an item you like, they will likely quote an absurdly high price, often in euros. Understand that this is a starting point from which you will eventually negotiate down. Respond with a price that feels excessively low to you; this sets the stage for bargaining.

Typically, you will incrementally increase your offer by €1-2, while the shopkeeper will lower their price by €5-10. The aim is to reach a compromise that is somewhere near the middle after their second counter-offer. For instance, if you see a scarf priced at €40, you might counter with €3, expecting the actual selling price to be between €5-10.

Negotiating is made easier when purchasing multiple items. For instance, you could aim for €7-8 for a single scarf but find it simpler to negotiate down to €5 each when buying four.

Maintain a non-aggressive stance. If the seller isn’t meeting your asking price, try walking away; this often prompts them to offer a more favorable price. Keep in mind that it’s poor etiquette to agree on a price and then have second thoughts about the purchase.

Be discerning about quality; if one shopkeeper offers lanterns at €2 each, yet another refuses to sell for less than €15, take the time to assess quality differences. Generally, the higher-priced lanterns are made from brass instead of tin and will not be painted. Shopkeepers tend to have fixed prices for quality items, and negotiating excessively low prices can be disrespectful to their craft.

Feeling nervous about haggling, especially at first, is perfectly normal. It’s an integral part of Moroccan culture and adds to the overall experience. In less touristy areas, you’ll likely observe locals haggling, too, using French or Arabic, as they shop for everyday items. The types of goods may vary significantly from what you find in the tourist-focused markets.

What to Buy in Marrakesh

Lanterns

Choosing the right lantern can be tricky, so it’s beneficial to examine several options before deciding. Aluminum lanterns are often the cheapest; however, they are fragile and of lower quality. Many are painted to mimic brass or copper, but upon closer inspection, you may notice the paint scraping off a tin base. Authentic brass lanterns will feel heavier, don’t have any painted finishes, and the mechanisms will operate smoothly.

Ceramics

When shopping for ceramics, negotiate the price of the most expensive item, like a salad bowl or dinner plate, and once you’ve settled on that price, consider negotiating for a complete set. Higher-quality ceramics are often crafted in Safi and Fez, characterized by their thickness and durability, whereas lower-quality ceramics tend to be thin and break easily.

Tagine

You cannot leave Marrakesh without experiencing tagine, whether at a restaurant or prepared in your riad. Decorative tagines can be bought for as little as €1, while authentic clay models for cooking typically range from €20.

Scarves

The scarves found in Marrakesh are often mass-produced in India, despite claims of being authentic Berber or made from ‘cactus silk.’ True Berber scarves are typically indigo-dyed cotton, simple and unembellished. In contrast, the vibrant patterned scarves in the marketplace are often imports.

Babouches

These popular leather slippers are widely available in Marrakesh. Ensure you choose genuine leather babouches instead of those made from fabric.

Thuya Wood Items

Crafted from trees in the Southern region, thuya wood items—such as hand-carved chess boards with compartments for the pieces—are a unique souvenir. These wooden chess boards would typically sell for a significant price elsewhere, but in Marrakesh, you can purchase them at a fraction of the cost, often even observing their creation.

Besides these, countless items are for sale, including baskets, silver jewelry, mirrors, and more. A good rule of thumb is to offer about 10% of the shopkeeper’s original asking price, working from there until reaching a fair compromise. Over time, you will develop a keen sense of prices and quality, empowering you to haggle like a local.