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Hone Your Bartering Skills in the Souk Bazaars of Marrakech
Published by Emmanuelle Fontaine, Writer
Country: Morocco 
The Experience
No trip to Morocco is complete without a visit to the souks; especially the Marrakech souks.
On your first visit to the Marrakesh souks, you may feel somewhat intimidated due to the invasive and pushy behaviour of vendors, although if you are familiar with markets in developing countries, the Marrakech souks will make you feel right at home. In either case, a visit to the Marrakech souks is an authentic Moroccan pleasure not to be missed. The Marrakech souks are located between Africa and Europe, housing treasures uniquely influenced by both continents such as herbal medicines, brass and silver handicrafts, hand-woven rugs and richly embellished clothes.
Walking through a labyrinth of crowded, narrow passageways with small shops and stalls squeezed on both sides, the vendors hail “Come and look, just for the pleasure of the eyes,” waving a pair of babouches (pointy Moroccan slippers) or a silver teapot to attract your attention. Your senses will be overwhelmed by the noises, the calls, people pushing to get through, and the shear amount of products on display. With all this to bear you might be tempted to give up and head back to the tranquility and safety of your riad (guest house), but what fun would that be? Then you remember that you haven’t bought any souvenirs yet and your sister would never forgive you if you come back without one of the popular leather lamps hand-painted with henna.
As chance would have it, you are standing just outside a store selling lanterns, and decide to give it a try. You step in and look around for something pretty that would fit in your suitcase, while the vendor encourages you with their sales banter: “Not expensive. I give you a good price,” and brings different models for you to choose from. By then, a small crowd has gathered outside the store comprised of tourists attracted by the haggling and locals curious to see how badly the tourist is going to be ripped off. Other vendors are now eager to sell to all the tourists now assembled there. After selecting two lamps, the pressure is almost unbearable as the final act is about to begin.
“How much?” you ask in order to save some time, but you know this is useless and that you will have to make an offer first. “How much you want to pay for it?” is the inevitable answer.
The problem is that prices are not displayed anywhere. Unless you have some experience, it is complete guesswork. So, you start with a low bid of 50 dirhams and the tourists in the crowd nod their approval. The vendor, now with an offended look distorting his face, screams that his products are the best quality and that he has five kids to feed plus his old aunt who needs medication, and how heartless of you to try to rip him off! He states his price: “400 dirhams.” This is his final answer. You quickly convert that it would cost about C$60, and that it does not look like a bargain at all. Once again, you’re about to turn around and leave, but there is no exit. The passersby are blocking the lane and the vendor and all the lamp stands block your exit on the other side. You are torn: You don’t want to be ripped off in front of your audience but you don’t want to hurt the vendor’s feelings either. Pointing at any imperfections, you say “100! There are dents on the wrought iron, and the henna is crumbling!”
A few minutes later, you emerge from the shop proudly carrying your trophy: A grey plastic bag with two leather lamps that you ended up paying 200 dirhams. You will learn later that your French friends at the hotel bought them for 100 dirhams.
Your first bartering joust in the Marrakesh souks can leave you exhausted and with mixed feelings. As you gain experience, it gets easier and becomes a lot of fun. You might even be invited to take a seat and negotiate the price of a rug around a cup of mint tea. You will also notice that as you start to know your way in the bazaar, and walk with more confidence, vendors and kids won’t harass you as much; and if they do, a couple of “La shukrans” (no thank you, in Arabic) will usually do the trick.
If haggling is not your cup of (mint) tea, the Marrakech souks are still a unique place to wander around and soak up the bustling atmosphere of a typical North African market. It is an experience for all the senses. From the kaleidoscopic Souk Rahba Qdima with its carpets and rugs, to the vivid colours of skins and wools hung out to dry in the wool dyers market. From the deafening sound of hammers against metal in the Souk Hadadine, to the patter of the vendors. From the pungent smell of the leather bags in Souk Charratin, to the fragrant pyramids of spices and teas–—the Marrakech souks will never leave you feeling indifferent.
On your first visit to the Marrakesh souks, you may feel somewhat intimidated due to the invasive and pushy behaviour of vendors, although if you are familiar with markets in developing countries, the Marrakech souks will make you feel right at home. In either case, a visit to the Marrakech souks is an authentic Moroccan pleasure not to be missed. The Marrakech souks are located between Africa and Europe, housing treasures uniquely influenced by both continents such as herbal medicines, brass and silver handicrafts, hand-woven rugs and richly embellished clothes.
Walking through a labyrinth of crowded, narrow passageways with small shops and stalls squeezed on both sides, the vendors hail “Come and look, just for the pleasure of the eyes,” waving a pair of babouches (pointy Moroccan slippers) or a silver teapot to attract your attention. Your senses will be overwhelmed by the noises, the calls, people pushing to get through, and the shear amount of products on display. With all this to bear you might be tempted to give up and head back to the tranquility and safety of your riad (guest house), but what fun would that be? Then you remember that you haven’t bought any souvenirs yet and your sister would never forgive you if you come back without one of the popular leather lamps hand-painted with henna.
As chance would have it, you are standing just outside a store selling lanterns, and decide to give it a try. You step in and look around for something pretty that would fit in your suitcase, while the vendor encourages you with their sales banter: “Not expensive. I give you a good price,” and brings different models for you to choose from. By then, a small crowd has gathered outside the store comprised of tourists attracted by the haggling and locals curious to see how badly the tourist is going to be ripped off. Other vendors are now eager to sell to all the tourists now assembled there. After selecting two lamps, the pressure is almost unbearable as the final act is about to begin.
“How much?” you ask in order to save some time, but you know this is useless and that you will have to make an offer first. “How much you want to pay for it?” is the inevitable answer.
The problem is that prices are not displayed anywhere. Unless you have some experience, it is complete guesswork. So, you start with a low bid of 50 dirhams and the tourists in the crowd nod their approval. The vendor, now with an offended look distorting his face, screams that his products are the best quality and that he has five kids to feed plus his old aunt who needs medication, and how heartless of you to try to rip him off! He states his price: “400 dirhams.” This is his final answer. You quickly convert that it would cost about C$60, and that it does not look like a bargain at all. Once again, you’re about to turn around and leave, but there is no exit. The passersby are blocking the lane and the vendor and all the lamp stands block your exit on the other side. You are torn: You don’t want to be ripped off in front of your audience but you don’t want to hurt the vendor’s feelings either. Pointing at any imperfections, you say “100! There are dents on the wrought iron, and the henna is crumbling!”
A few minutes later, you emerge from the shop proudly carrying your trophy: A grey plastic bag with two leather lamps that you ended up paying 200 dirhams. You will learn later that your French friends at the hotel bought them for 100 dirhams.
Your first bartering joust in the Marrakesh souks can leave you exhausted and with mixed feelings. As you gain experience, it gets easier and becomes a lot of fun. You might even be invited to take a seat and negotiate the price of a rug around a cup of mint tea. You will also notice that as you start to know your way in the bazaar, and walk with more confidence, vendors and kids won’t harass you as much; and if they do, a couple of “La shukrans” (no thank you, in Arabic) will usually do the trick.
If haggling is not your cup of (mint) tea, the Marrakech souks are still a unique place to wander around and soak up the bustling atmosphere of a typical North African market. It is an experience for all the senses. From the kaleidoscopic Souk Rahba Qdima with its carpets and rugs, to the vivid colours of skins and wools hung out to dry in the wool dyers market. From the deafening sound of hammers against metal in the Souk Hadadine, to the patter of the vendors. From the pungent smell of the leather bags in Souk Charratin, to the fragrant pyramids of spices and teas–—the Marrakech souks will never leave you feeling indifferent.
When to Go to Marrakech Souk
The best time to visit the Marrakech souks is in the spring or fall. It gets very hot in July and August and might be cool in the winter.
Whether you like bartering or not, visiting the Marrakech souks is an experience not to be missed. This is the best place to purchase handicrafts and souvenirs and to watch Moroccans live and work. Some parts are busy, colourful and quite clean; others are poor with crumbling buildings and dirty children playing in the dust. You will see men carving wood, assembling beautiful mosaics, sawing leather, and dying wool. Other men are selling the final products. You will see veiled women doing their shopping and kids will follow you around asking for a few coins or candies.
Whether you like bartering or not, visiting the Marrakech souks is an experience not to be missed. This is the best place to purchase handicrafts and souvenirs and to watch Moroccans live and work. Some parts are busy, colourful and quite clean; others are poor with crumbling buildings and dirty children playing in the dust. You will see men carving wood, assembling beautiful mosaics, sawing leather, and dying wool. Other men are selling the final products. You will see veiled women doing their shopping and kids will follow you around asking for a few coins or candies.
Odds n' Ends
Even with the aid of a map it is hard to find your way in the Marrakech souks. You will most likely get lost, but it is also part of the experience. You can try to remember the turns you made and the shops you saw, but the Marrakech souks are a real maze of alleyways and nothing looks more like a babouche (Moroccan slipper) stall than another babouche stall. Even if some vendors are a little aggressive, the place is safe and the local kids will be happy to show you the way back to your hotel for a few dirhams. Bring a lot of water as the temperatures can reach 40°C (105°F) in the summer months.
The best way to enter the Marrakech souks is from Djema El Fna, the main square in Marrakech and a highly recognizable landmark. You can access it from the different babs (doors) along the fortification wall north of the medina.
When you start negotiating prices, keep in mind that you can generally offer one third of the “good price” the vendor gives you. Also, don’t forget that Morocco is an Islamic country and women travelling there should wear conservative clothes.
The best way to enter the Marrakech souks is from Djema El Fna, the main square in Marrakech and a highly recognizable landmark. You can access it from the different babs (doors) along the fortification wall north of the medina.
When you start negotiating prices, keep in mind that you can generally offer one third of the “good price” the vendor gives you. Also, don’t forget that Morocco is an Islamic country and women travelling there should wear conservative clothes.
Want a Guide?
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