10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Marrakech

Souk Semmarine is the busy central souk of the Marrakech Medina. Pass through the distinctive stone archway into wide, covered streets where shops sell everything from textiles and antique furniture to hand-painted ceramics. Spend hours exploring colourful handicrafts, snacking on street food and wandering off into the surrounding souks.

Many of the shops here sell traditional clothing and textiles made of high-quality fabrics, such as kaftans and babouches slippers. This is also a great place to purchase a tagine, the traditional clay cooking pot used to prepare the popular dish of the same name, with many sizes and unique designs available.

Located in the heart of the Medina, Jemaa el-Fna is one of the most storied markets in the world. A sprawling public square packed with entertainers and vendors selling food and handicrafts, it has been the centre of activity in Marrakech for hundreds of years.

As you explore the market, fortune tellers and henna artists offer their services while snake charmers and monkey trainers weave through the crowds. In the evenings, the square transforms into a vibrant, lantern-lit spectacle. The delicious smells of smoked kafta skewers and sfenj doughnuts waft through the air as musicians perform the hypnotic rhythms of traditional Gnawa music.

M Avenue is a luxury shopping destination in the modern Gueliz district. An entirely different world from the chaotic, colourful Medina, this spacious pedestrian-only street houses high-end boutiques. Take a stroll through the quiet square and browse a variety of clothing, accessories, jewellery and beauty items from brand-name sellers.

Take a break from shopping to have an espresso at one of the avenue’s sleek cafes or dine at Toro Toro, a popular pan-Latin steakhouse with a mouth-watering menu of smoky dishes.

Branching off from Souk Semmarine in the Medina you’ll find Souk el Attarine, the vibrant souk of spices. The streets here are lined with paper bags filled with cone-shaped mounds of fragrant cumin, precious saffron and the popular North African spice blend ras el hanout. You’ll also find a wide array of herbs, essential oils and teas packed in jars lining floor-to-ceiling shelves.

This souk also has many shops selling metalwork, from the copper and brass lanterns seen all around the Medina to decorative silver trays, candlesticks and balance scales. You’ll also find exquisite tea sets made of silver, brass and coloured glass.

Souk el Kebir and the neighbouring Souk Cherratin are where you’ll find the largest concentration of leather goods in Marrakech. One of the smaller souks surrounding central Souk Semmarine, Souk el Kebir is where leather artisans fill storefronts with bags, belts and wallets.

If you’re in the market for a pair of Moroccan babouches slippers, this is the spot to shop. Babouches are offered in a wide range of colours with patterned cuts and stitching to create hundreds of unique designs, all at a fraction of what you’d pay in Europe and North America.

Entering Place des Ferblantiers, you’re greeted by the rhythmic din of hammer-on-metal. This small square on the edge of the old Jewish Quarter is where you’ll find the city’s metalworkers. The intricate work of these artisans includes lanterns, trays, mirrors and incense burners made of silver and copper.

Just a 15-minute walk south of Jemaa el-Fna, Place des Ferblantiers is often overlooked by tourists. This is a great spot to get your feet wet before plunging into the central markets, as sellers are more relaxed and many post fixed prices for those who prefer not to haggle. Shop for a shiny souvenir or relax with a cup of mint tea in one of the square’s outdoor cafes.

Creiee Berbere is the carpet souk, specialising in traditional textile crafts. Find the entrance at the north end of Rahba Kedima, an archway marked with a sign that reads Le Souk Principal de Tapis. A busy market with Berber women selling their crafts, alongside the infamous Moroccan rugs you’ll find Berber tunics and embroidered wool hats.

Moroccan rugs can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to produce, so each one is an investment. Whether you’re looking for high-pile or low-pile, soft pastels or bold, contrasting tones, you’re sure to find a unique rug in the carpet souk.

If you need guidance on your quest for a Moroccan carpet, look no further than Les Nomades de Marrakech. A fifth-generation family operation, Les Nomades are experts in top-quality carpets. Their products are fabricated using time-tested Berber techniques and materials, and designs range from classic to contemporary to custom. They also offer a selection of one-of-a-kind vintage carpets, and all purchases can be shipped internationally.

The patient staff selects pieces to suit your preferences from the shop’s vast collection, and they allow you ample time to deliberate. With carpets of all colours, sizes and designs, this is a great place to select a beautiful carpet that will last a lifetime.

Menara Mall is a modern shopping centre located outside of the Medina. The mall features a variety of local and international retailers selling clothing, shoes, cosmetics and electronics. Visit the souk-style wing, which is reserved for Moroccan traditional crafts.

Families will enjoy this shopping spot, as the top floor is home to a game centre and arcade with a miniature carousel. The mall’s varied dining options offer something for everyone, and the wide terrace is a popular place to lunch on pizza and pasta on sunny afternoons.

One of Marrakech’s best-kept secrets, El Abidi Nasser Eddine is an upmarket antique and jewellery shop with a rather exclusive clientele. The owners source highly valuable antiques and objets d’art, making for a collection of 1-of-a-kind items. The jewellery offerings include dramatic gold bangles, antique Berber necklaces and silver rings studded with semi-precious gemstones.

You won’t find a bargain in this carefully curated selection. Rumoured to have clients among the rich and famous, El Abidi Nasser Eddine is a place to search for treasure.