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 | Marrakesh Shopping | Tips 1 - 10 of 98 |  |
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.
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 Leave a Comment Theme: Food and DrinkDirections: In the Medina |
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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.
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 Leave a Comment Theme: JewelryAddress: Rue Bab Mellah, just opposite the Palais BahiaDirections: In the Mellah district of the Medina |
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!
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. Leave a Comment Theme: Food and Drink |
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After visiting Dar Si Said and the Tiskiwin museum, I passed by this shop. Mr Mohamed was sat in the doorway, sewing a piece of leather. He showed me the special way that he sewed the leather pieces, by using a series of needles and twisting the thread over and around the needles to produce an attractive and very secure seam. I noticed that he had a wide selection of babouches of all colours, handbags and belts. I asked if he'd made all of these, which he had, he showed me his certificate too, which showed that he was highly skilled.
This gentle modest man didn't attempt to ask me to buy anything. I wasn't shopping that day, but asked for his business card, as I intended to return to buy a pair of fuscia pink babouches that were a 'must have'!!
When I returned a few days later, he proudly showed me the completed pouffe that he'd been working on.
Besides the babouches (175dh) I bought 3 leather bags . My bill was a total of 700dh (£45)
These are fixed prices, I was very pleased with my purchases, high quality hand crafted goods, with a pleasant shopping experience!
Babouches..beautiful colours, the softest leather,and hand sewn.
Mr Mohamed had a wide selection of colours and styles. Plain or decorated with tassels etc. 'snakeskin' and other designs.
Leather bags, shoulder bags or hand bag style.
Belts with buckles
Leather pouffes (cushions for sitting on)
Babouches 175 dh
I think bags started at 145 dh
Fixed prices. Though if purchasing multiple items, You might get a discount Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftAddress: Riad Zitoun El Jadid, Rue Dar Si Said N -20Phone: 066 59 13 37Directions: From Palace Bahia, head for Dar Si Said. Along this road on the right hand side is Mr Mohameds shop. If he's not there someone nearby will know his whereabouts. He was at lunch and then the mosque when I tried to find him |
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As in my previous tips, This shop was a highlight of my holiday.
Mr Doudi Mohamed, is a Master Craftsman- his craft work is of high quality, reasonably (fixed)priced.
When I next visit Marrakesh, I'll definitely call here again to purchase more goods.
Babouches- a wide range of styles/ colours to chose from
Handbags- various styles/sizes and colours- I was spoilt for choice, but eventually settled on 3- 2 to keep (as in the picture) and a red bag, like the black one in the picture for my Mother.
I use the 'yellow' one every day now, and it's very handy- plus it still smells wonderful- a reminder of my holiday every day!!
I paid about £45 for all of these 3 handcrafted bags- A Bargain!! Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftAddress: Riad Zitoun El Jadid, Rue Dar Si Said N -20Phone: 066 59 13 37Directions: See above tip |
You'll find people selling assorted incense and such both on Djemma el Fna and within the spice/natural remedies areas of the souks. I've only smelled things this intense in Catholic church services ;-) In Marrakesh they burn a small amount of the granules at a time in little terra cotta structures, the fragrance evokes an exotic feel, we brought tons home.
There are several varieties, and the person selling it will let you smell each and every until you find the one you like best. Often they'll be selling dried rose buds, strands of sandlewood beeds, rose and orange water as well. All lovely.
Sold in rock-like granules, sellers of this potently exotic stuff will grasp a handful and holded it up to your nose and even without being burned the scent is heady. They'll weigh it and give it to you in a little plastic bag and we had no problem bringing it back to the states.
50-100 dirhams for 100 grams Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: On Djemma el fna and throughout some souks |
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You'll find several ATMs (cash machines) located around Djemme el Fna in the direction of Mohammed V blvd/Koutoubia (away from the souks). And you'll find yourself returning to them again and again if you develop a souk shopping habit like we did. It is rare to find a shop in the medina of Marrakesh that accepts credit cards so stocking up on dirhams is essential. And remember, you get the best exchange rate at an ATM.
Note: There's a chance someone will be there waiting for you to take out cash in hopes that you'll share the wealth (often small children or women). It's entirely up to you what to do in such a situation. Tim often felt compelled to give them money even though some advise not to.
You'll need cash for nearly everything you'll want to purchase while here unless you're in Ville Nouveau. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: all around the outskirts of Djemma el Fna |
Whenever I travel, I like to listen to the local music. I usually return from my holidays with a few cd's.
Morocco has a variety of styles - Arabic, Arabic-Andalucian, Berber, Gnawa or Gnaoua(a blend of Arab/Berber), Rai, Arabic/belly dance, contempory, and fusions of these including rap/hip hop/dance beats.
The Lonely Planet Guide lists some popular cd's and artistes, so armed with this list I set out to find a cd stall.
I found one in the souk, and spent quite an amusing time with the stall holder finding a suitable selection. However, I needed to exchange some money, so explained I'd return next day to collect them and pay. Despite making a careful note of the stalls location, I couldn't find it .
This stall in Djemma el Fnaa managed to find me a similar selection. The stall holders were very helpful and friendly, playing selections from discs for me to listen to.
I purchased cd's by Hassam Hakmoun, Najat Aatabou (2 popular contempory artistes),
Andalucian music, and an Arabic/ Belly Dancing disc by Rafat Misso and Hossam Ramzy
15 -20dh try to haggle if buying a few (tho' this didn't work for me!) Leave a Comment Theme: MusicAddress: Djemma el FnaaDirections: Towards the edge of the square, near the nut/dried fruit sellers. Also souks and shops around the square. |
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During my stay in Marrakesh, I'd seen many locals wearing jellabas and kaftans, of various designs and weights. Some plain, some highly decorated, some light weight, some a thick wool or felt.
I'd wanted a kaftan for a while to wear on beach holidays over my swim wear, but I was tempted by the heavier winter weights to snuggle up in on a winters evening- so off to the souks I headed.
I'd surrepticiously glanced at jellabas as I'd wandered through the souks, and had seen some quite decorative styles, but decided I'd be more likely to wear a plainer version.
I found a stall in the souk, and settled down to purchasing a jellabah. I eventually settled on a black silk with a black embroidered trim to the neckline. I've worn it a couple of times so far, once in Marrakesh at night for extra warmth, and once at night over jeans with a belt. My next visit I'll probably buy a winter weight jellaba.
Jellabas and kaftans- great for 'fat' days, or as beach cover ups, could be worn as night wear too, or just for lounging around in!
I paid 180 dh, (after haggling, the original price asked was 500 dh) I was told by the bar man in my hotel that I'd got a good price, he guessed I'd paid 300dh. Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftAddress: Souk, MarrakeshDirections: Sorry, no idea where this shop was, except it was in the souk! |
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Before going to the desert, don't forget to buy a cheich, it can be very useful. It protects again the sun, the sand storms, the cold and the rain. Indeed, it sometimes rains in the desert ! I would have never thought. But we got the proof of it when we were in Merzouga ;-)
About 20-25 dh Leave a Comment Theme: Other |
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