The Souks of Marrakesh

Marrakesh is a major city of the kingdom of Morocco and also the fourth largest city in the country. Owing to its fairly central location, the city has long been a significant trade center – a cross-road of various interlinking merchant routes, where craftsmen from far and wide would gather to exchange goods. It has the largest traditional Berber market (souk) in Morocco. There are about 18 souks in Marrakesh employing over 40,000 people in pottery, copperware, leather and other crafts. It’s amazing to think that for a thousand years the district has acted as a thriving central hub for trade and commerce without very little changing at all. Though allowances have been made for modern tastes, many of the traditional commodities can still easily be bought from the winding alleys of the souks.

Marrakesh has retained its status as Morocco’s cultural and economic hub, and is today considered the nation’s bustling metropolis. Jemaa el-Fna sits at the very heart of the city’s medina and has become perhaps the most iconic image of the country itself. A sprawling, terracotta-hued square overlooked by the Koutoubia mosque tower, Jemaa el-Fna is sprinkled with colorful food stalls, henna artists, snake-charmers, monkey-handlers and bell-clad. Narrow and inconspicuous, the various entrances to the souks themselves are tucked behind the restaurants and cafés that border the square – gloomy mouths to the Aladdin’s cave that lies within. The souks are a maze-like network of dim alleyways and small streets, sheltered by straw canopies through which rays of brilliant sunlight radiate off the scintillating treasures below.

   
Souks in Marrakesh include: Souk Cherratin, Souk Smata, Souk Btana, Souk Chouari, Souk Haddadine, Souk des Chaudronniers, Souk Kimakhine, Souk des Teinturiers.

Jewelry and kaftans, lanterns and carpets, dates and figs, perfumes and tea. Brass goods, antiques, spices, and leather, the souks are absolutely a must-add to any bucket list.

From iron-workers, to leather-makers, farmers to apothecaries, an array of vendors have established their workshops in the back-streets of Marrakech, making the souks one of the most vibrant and animated places on the planet.

Trips to the Souk district will be one of the highlights of your adventure in Marrakesh. They stay open from 9am to 9pm so it’s advisable to visit in the cool of the morning or as the sun starts to set if you are finding it hard to acclimatise to the high temperatures of Morocco. Finally, remember haggling is key! The art of haggling is integral to the culture of transactions that take place in the Souks and stall owners will be disappointed if you don’t try!