Morocco is a really easy trip if you’re visiting Europe, especially if you’re in Spain! A souq or souk is a marketplace. Souk Smata is the main area to find babouches, also known as the slippers souk. At its heart is the medina, the original walled settlement around which the rest of the city was built. They were originally developed in cities that acquired enough political and economic strength to become essential centers and hubs for national, continental; and transcontinental trade. Just four years into independence, the earthquake was an especially traumatic event, but its reconstruction showed modern Morocco at its best, and half a century on, the result is quite impressive. Never offer a price you are not willing to pay – that’s bad manners! Marrakech’s splendid Olive Souk. They have less motivation to leave their shop and more incentive to point you in the right direction. Morocco’s Marrakech souks and markets are a marvel to explore – brightly coloured spices, terracotta narrow streets and an aladdin’s cave of street traders, vendors and artists await. Souk de Bijouters is the jewelry souk, marked by a sign that says Bijouterie Tegmoutiene. Souk el Arba or the Wednesday Market fills the streets with a variety of goods and souvenirs that you cannot resist buying. Make sure the guide is licensed. […] souks, it’s usually quite affordable and you will inevitably get lost without one. AGADIR was, by all accounts, a characterful port, prior to the terrible earthquake of 1960 that completely destroyed it. Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on future travel resources & access to a growing library of free travel goods! The prices are set maybe 35% higher than what you would pay in the souk after haggling, but the goods are extremely high quality. Getting lost is generally part of the fun of exploring the energetic souks. Local artisans and craftsmen often lived and worked close to others in the same trade. I loved exploring the smaller town of Chefchaouen, but wanted to see some of the surrounding areas as well. The medina’s large gates opened early in the morning and closed every evening. May 13, 2014 - In Morocco, and the Arabic speaking world in general, towns and cities are filled with souks, a large outdoor market. Have any stories to share about your visit to Marrakech? This site has affiliate links that provide us with compensation if you book with them at no extra charge to you to help support the labor it takes to write these posts. Alternatively, use GPS on your mobile devices. You'll see herbalists, spice sellers, … Souks are a major feature of Moroccan life and are beamed as the greatest attraction for the travelers. The souks were originally known as an open-air marketplace. I wrote all about it in this post. Thus, the convenience also increased the number of items being bought. Merchants who arrived late had to spend the night outside of the protective walls. Marrakech’s souks have clothes in all shapes, sizes and colours – from T-shirts, shorts and jeans through to the traditional kaftans and djellabas (a kind of robe). A souk is an open-air market. Most major streets have signs for their names. Spoilt for choice in Marrakech’s Olive Souk. Vibrantly coloured aromatic spices are often among the first things people think of when imagining the souks of Marrakech. Shop owners generally can’t leave their premises and are less likely to try and lead you in exchange for payment. Traditional woven Moroccan carpets and handmade Berber boucherouite (rugs) are proudly displayed at numerous stalls. Head to the comments and post it up! The tourist souks where you’ll find a variety of treasures are generally inside of the old city walls. Many are covered too, making it even more difficult to get a good idea of where you are. Souk Semmarine is probably the first souk you will encounter as you enter the maze, framed by a large iron trellis and filled with tourist oriented souvenirs. Islamic items of clothing are also found in abundance, such as abayas (a robe-like dress) and head coverings. Of course, you could also ask somebody to call your accommodation to come and collect you if you’re in a real muddle. A small open-air souk just outside the main heart of the city, Souk Sehb Mabrouka has a large selection of second-hand clothing and other used goods. Souks are not only markets. The souks are organized by the items sold, and are each named for a specific product type you can find there. Fasten bags and keep a tight grip. Marrakech’s strategic location at the heart of Morocco, however, meant that many traders came through the city every day. Medinas are full of souks and many of them specialize in one type of goods. Souk Haddadine is the blacksmithing souk, with craftsmen clanging away. Another option is to go into a small shop and ask for help. souk asni ⵙⵙⵓⵇ ⵏ ⴰⵙⵏⵉ is situated nearby to Irz. If road signs and landmarks, such as mosques and monuments, can’t easily be spotted, walk through busier areas until you find a sign or landmark. Merchants often travelled by camel or donkey, usually with a heavily laden caravan. Leather goods are often popular with visitors, especially wallets, belts, bags, shoes and other items that are handmade in the city. Map courtesy of http://www.yourmarrakechguide.com (Link in Japanese). It is in these ancient marketplaces where you will find the business end of Marrakech. Head to Marrakech’s tanneries to see how leather is worked before being crafted into the items you see for sale in the souks. Although this might seem like a blessing, it often ends with you paying a substantial ‘tip’, possibly having also been carted to several stalls, from where the ‘helpful’ stranger is trying to score commission on a sale, on the way. Many souks expanded so much that they merged with nearby souks. Many are quite affordable. The Marrakech medina is famous for its souks and some tour agencies even offer tours focused on seeing all the various souks! Your email address will not be published. Learn how your comment data is processed. They can be found all over Northern Africa and even Western Asia. When visiting Morocco, one of the most exciting and enjoyable cultural activities is shopping in the souk (market). souk asni ⵙⵙⵓⵇ ⵏ ⴰⵙⵏⵉ is a marketplace in Morocco. It’s easy to get lost in the winding old city streets, as they are poorly marked. Each quartier has a mosque, a hammam (bathhouse), a communal bread oven, a madrasa (educational institution) and a water fountain, which all serve the local community.Souks are the traditional marketplaces and are often divided into sections for the various trades. I fell in love with the country and its people & I want to visit them again. Locals try to be helpful for the most part, but some less than scrupulous “guides” may try to get you disoriented even further so they can pick up a tip for taking you back to the main square, Jemaa el Fna. This artisan market is a good option if you are intimidated by haggling and still want fine crafted good. Required fields are marked *. The smaller neighbourhood souks gradually grew, as more traders saw the opportunity to increase sales. A “souq” or “souk” is the name given to the markets in Morocco. The souk – The quality may not be as good but you can find some decent options for things like onesies and blankets. Thousands of artisans and … Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Jewelled glassware and ornate tea pots can make a pretty addition to a dining room back home. Merchants will always give you a ridiculous first offer and will expect you to bring it down. At the time of writing (March of 2018) the … Many travelers tend to associate “souk” with the winding alleyways of the expansive and historic medinas in Fes and Marrakesh. As the local population grew, vendors started to hold smaller souks close to main communities. People sold their wares from or near their workshops. Souk Cherratin specializes in leather goods, including traditional Moroccan babouches (slippers), bags, belts, purses, wallets, and anything else made with leather. For services such as guides and cabs, try to agree to a price beforehand and stick to it. Looking for a few new pieces to add to your wardrobe? Cabs in particular will often try to revise the price at the destination, so just pay and leave. Full of carpets, brass goods, antiques, spices, and leather, the souks are absolutely a must-add to any bucket list. However, don’t agree on a price and then not go through with the sale. They are extremely cheap by US standards and will make sure you don’t get lost or scammed. Ancien Souk Tlat from Mapcarta, the free map. You can always take a tour to make traveling easier (and to free up some mental energy for haggling). Haggling is an essential part of shopping in the souks. Ancien Souk Tlat is situated in Douar Qachla. As with most places where a lot of people congregate, pickpocketing and bag snatching can be a problem. Early history of souks in Marrakech A souk is the name given to an Arab market. In general a souk is synonymous with a bazaar or marketplace, and the term souk is used in Arabic-speaking countries. Souk Kimakhine is where Moroccan and Gnaoua instruments are sold. The huge variety of items on sale in the souks of Marrakech makes some people travel with an empty suitcase, ready to load up with goodies to take home. Your nose will tell you when you get close to the tanneries, and the proprietors offer fresh mint for you to breathe from as you walk through the tanning vats. Traditionally an open-air market that locals relied on for their essential items, a souk would have travelling merchants passing through them once a week, once a month or at other infrequent periods. Try to aim for 25%–30% of their first offer. The Souk Of Morocco. The souks run like tentacles from the central madness of Jemaa el-Fna Plaza. In Morocco, the souk is a marketplace: both a social one and a physical goods one.It’s pretty much where most business happens, and once you’ve seen one, you’ll realise that it’s hard to describe all of the commotion inside a busy souk. Another option is to look for official signs. This is why today’s visitors will still find separate areas in some souks – for example in the Carpet Souk close to Rahba Lakdima. Souk Semmarine is the largest souk district in the whole of Morocco, and it astonishing to think that traders and merchants have been trading and … Popular with locals looking for lower-priced items, the souk sees few tourists. The souks, or open air markets, of Marrakech are the largest in the country of Morocco, and one of the most fascinating places in the world to shop. Full of carpets, brass goods, antiques, spices, and leather, the souks are absolutely a must-add to any bucket list. Check flights on Kiwi and see if you can snag a cheap one and hop over. Souk Chouari is the main carpentry souk, primarily with goods made of fragrant cedar wood. Absolutely worth it! One week ago, I returned from a trip to Casablanca & Marrakech in Morocco. Those who arrived in time typically slept in mosques, or fondouqs – accommodation for merchants and their animals. I highly recommend staying in a local riad if you are in Marrakech. souk asni ⵙⵙⵓⵇ ⵏ ⴰⵙⵏⵉ from Mapcarta, the free map. Located within the medina of Marrakech, the souk is a must-visit place where you can explore Morocco’s market and the different original handmade products sold in local shops. Moroccan souks began as small gatherings outside city areas where merchants would come to sell their goods. You can easily do it yourself, though. Souk definition at Dictionary.com, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. Le Souk: Best Souks in Morocco - See 210 traveler reviews, 408 candid photos, and great deals for Essaouira, Morocco, at Tripadvisor. But you will be able to smell … Wandering the souks with a local guide is the best way to explore if you’re concerned about getting lost, especially if time is short. Take a break and head to a café for a breather. A souk is the name given to an Arab market. Neighbourhood souks originally mainly sold everyday essentials. 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