Shopping in Marrakech

Below in our Marrakech Shopping Guide we tell you how to get the best deals and the best places to shop in Marrakech. Exploring the souks is a wonderful experience but the heat, noise, and hawkers can all take their toll, so make sure you take a break and relax in one of the great local Marrakech restaurants. For more general information on what to buy on your Morocco holiday, check out our Morocco Shopping Guide.

Marrakech Shopping Guide

In addition to the main souk area near the Jemaa el Fna, there are dozens of smaller markets scattered across the city. These are a great place to try your bargaining skills. Pick up hand made products, lanterns or some exotic spices. The choice is mind boggling. The local slippers are a fun souvenir at 30 Dirhams while the embroidered gowns called the jellabas are more expensive at 100 Dirhams but are equally unique. The brass platters can double up as table tops or trays and make a nice gift.

The Kissaria has narrow alleys where shopkeepers sell blankets, kaftans, cotton garments and other clothing. The old slave market or the Criée Berbère is a series of dark, covered passages that today houses a carpet trading market. The dyer's souk or the Souk des Teinturiers is a photographer's delight, with multi-hued wool drying in bundles suspended from the roof. There are also shops close by that sell lanterns, metalwork and pottery.

Craftwork has been significant since the 1990s when ceramic, metal, wood and leather work became popular. Today, the work is influenced by local tradition as well as international trends. The area in Bab Doukkala near Dar El Pacha is known for its antique dealers while the new, trendy and unusual boutiques are to be found in Gueliz.

Tanning is a key industry here and leather goods from Marrakech are of excellent standards. Great prices mean that every visitor can afford to pick up some of the local leather in the form of bags, jackets and other accessories.

The locally manufactured ‘cactus silk' is another popular buy on shoppers' lists. This rayon is made from the cellulose of plants and usually comes in a variety of bright and dramatic colours. You can pick up linen, bags, scarves and garments made from this material. It isn't expensive to manufacture, so be sure you aren't overcharged.

Also worth exploring is the pottery market where you can buy a tagine, a platter or a set of ceramic bowls decorated with some beautiful and typically Moroccan designs. You could also buy a cashmere shawl or two for under a fiver each. Or perhaps some silverware, implements made from copper, wooden items, jewellery or garments.

If it is carpets you are looking for, then the best place to do your shopping is the Bazaar Chichoua at 5 Souk des Ksous.

If you'd like to visit the souks but want to beat the crowds, head there when the Friday prayers are on and most locals are praying. Some shops may be closed but the ones that are open will be much quieter.

Bargaining

Part of the shopping experience in Marrakech is the opportunity to bargain. Shopkeepers are friendly and engage in some bargaining to amuse themselves and the tourist alike. Keeping this in mind, remember the first price quoted to you by the seller is likely to be as much as twice the actual rate at which he or she is willing to sell it to you. Prices may change depending on the time of day you visit the market, with peak tourist hours marking the highest asking prices as well!

The stores in Gueliz tend to be more upmarket and therefore more expensive. Quite often, though, if you are visiting the medina with a guide, he may be earning a commission on anything you buy at the stores to which he takes you. And this cost is built into the price the seller charges you. So you may end up paying more! If bargaining is not your cup of tea, head to the government run fixed price handicraft shops. Other fixed price options are the boutiques d'artisans like the ones at the Jemaa el Fna or Ville Nouvelle.

Regional Markets

The souks in the area around the medina are the best places to get a feel of how the locals shop and also the best places to pick up some truly Moroccan souvenirs. However, for even better deals, head out to the weekly regional markets in the small towns and villages outside Marrakech.

Shopping Hours

Shops in Marrakech usually open at about 9 am and close between 12.30 or 1 pm and 2.30 or 3 pm for an extended lunch hour. However, not all stores stick strictly to these timings.

Small shops in the medina area tend to stay closed on Friday afternoon all afternoon long, right from 11.30 in the morning. This is the case on most Sundays too. Touristy places tend to stay open all days of the week and have shorter lunch hours.

Morocco does not have a facility to refund sales taxes or VAT to tourists on purchases made in the country. However, some shopkeepers won't give you a bill or receipt to avoid paying these taxes.