A must in Marrakech: stroll in the heart of the souks of the Medina

In the narrow streets of the Medina stands all the richness of Moroccan craftsmanship. Formerly favoured by caravanners who exchanged their goods before travelling in the desert, the souks begin north of the famous Jemaa el-Fna Square and extend through a labyrinth of a thousand and one colours to the Marrakech Museum. Open from 9am to 9pm, it is best to visit the souks in the morning or in the evening when the sun isn't as harsh.

A real shopping experience, you will find good deals and items to bring back to your friends and family. Symbols of the Arab countries, they are made up of more than 10,000 Moroccan craftsmen grouped into guilds, each following regulations and a strict hierarchy by trade. Indeed, a leader is at the head of each of them to manage conflicts between members of the corporation or between suppliers and customers. 

=> All our riads in the medina of Marrakech

In this display of Moroccan craftsmanship, you will find pottery, fabrics, perfumes, slippers and other objects. In the main street, the Semmarine souk offers pottery, pastries and tourist emporiums filled with antiques as well as high quality fabrics and textiles such as kaftans. Looking for typical slippers? The Smata souk is a small bazaar of colourful slippers . Further away, the El Kebir and Cherratin souks offer beautiful leather goods; the perfect place to buy belts, wallets and bags. In the surrounding area, the covered souks, called kissarias, sell clothes and fabrics near the jewellers' souk.

Do you want to bring back little Moroccan wonders? You will find nowhere better than the carpenters' and blacksmiths' souks in Chouari and Haddadine. And, nearby is the Sennaghine and Dyer's souks, where you can discover beautiful mixtures of naturally pigmented Moroccan dyes. The show is absolutely exquisite with rich iridescent hanks of wool and silk coloured with indigo, saffron, mint or rose. Those who enjoy a little music should explore the Kimakhine souk with its traditional Moroccan instruments and gnaouas. 

Strolling and getting lost in the souks is an unforgettable experience with their colourful and traditional mosaic streets... And, don't forget to haggle, it's a tradition here!