Spice Markets and other Marrakesh, Morocco Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: Spice Markets

Make sure you find the time to explore some of the spice markets. Not only are they really interesting, but they make a great place to take some photos! In some of the markets the colourful spices are displayed in cone-shaped piles at the front to the shops, attracting the shopper with their aroma and colour.

If you are interested (or even if you're not!), the spice sellers will spend lots of time showing you each spice and explaining what they are used for, wanting you to smell different ones. You may actually learn something!

What To Buy: The best spice markets we visited were in the heart of the Mellah (Jewish quarter), where we spent ages chatting to one of the vendors and learning all about his wares. We explored some spice markets just off Place Rabha Kdima as well.

Just be warned that I have read reports of fake spices being sold. At one stall we visited we were looking at some saffron and Alison was convinced it was fake so we didn't buy any.


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Theme: Food and Drink

Name of Shop: Sagha - Grand Bijouterie

Located in the Mellah (Jewish quarter) you will find the Sagha or Grand Bijouterie, which is the old jewellery market. Look for the lovely old 'Grand Bijouterie' sign and here you will find the small covered arcades filled with shiny treasures.

The shops are tiny, and sell a range of gold and silver jewellery, gemstones, decorated boxes and belts. Originally, all the shops were owned by Jewish jewellers, but these days only a couple the Israelite dealers still remain.

What To Buy: Much of the jewellery here is sold by weight, so make sure you know what the going rate is for gold & silver before you attempt to buy anything. Even if you are not shopping, it is an interesting place for a window shop if you are in the area.

Open daily from 9am till 8pm


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Theme: Jewelry
Address: Rue Bab Mellah, just opposite the Palais Bahia
Directions: In the Mellah district of the Medina

Name of Shop: Food Markets

We visited a few different food markets during our stay in Marrakech. Probably the most interesting was a large covered market - Souq el Kheir, which is located on Avenue Houmman el Fetouaki, close to Qzadria Square. There were some unusual foods on offer here, and the market was filled with local women doing their daily/weekly shop. The meat at the butchers looked particularly good here.

We also had a wander through the Bab Doukkala food souq, which not only has food stalls but shops selling attractive cooking pots so you can make your own tajine back home.

We stumbled across a large (possibly wholesale) fruit & vegetable market which was located just off Boulevard Allal al Fassi, between the Jardin Majorelle and the bus station. We had a look around there for a while, but we soon became unpopular for taking photos so we quickly moved on.

What To Buy: Also, at the start of the Medina souqs, close to Djemaa el-Fna, there are some interesting food stalls with jars of colourful olives and preserved vegetables. And don't miss the stalls selling big bags of mint - perfect for a nice afternoon cup of mint tea


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Theme: Food and Drink
Directions: In the Medina