If you love to dip your toes in the  cultural beauty of a country, then you are at the right place!  This Morocco Souk Guide will show you how to enjoy the markets of Marrakech!

The souks of Morocco are a kaleidoscope of color, chaos and charisma.

In this bedouin kingdom, everything is exotic – rugs, spices, perfumes, glazed pottery – you name it. As you walk under elegant arches of Marrakech’s souks, vivid scenes unfold before you. The narrow labyrinthine lanes entice you endlessly to explore.

Morocco Souk Guide –  Enjoy the colors in Marrakech’s Souks.

This desert empire is a beautiful mosaic of culture and art. It has so much to offer to an intrepid traveler. A thousand sights, sounds and scents welcome you into Morocco’s souks.

Just like the experiences in India, a Moroccan adventure is a sensory overload. One that you should enjoy with an open mind!

Its only when you accept the boisterous energy of Marrakech’s souks, you realize, that this is retail paradise!

#1 From the Potter’s Wheel

Ceramics of vibrant colors adorn the Moroccan souks. Hand painted bowls and glazed pottery proudly line the shelves. Be dazzled by the lovely arabesque patterns and  geometric designs.

Centuries of cultural transaction between Andalusia in Spain have influenced pottery here. Give your home a Moorish flair with antique urns used to preserve olives or Wow your guests by offering chips in elegant platters.

#2 Weaves of Africa

Tribal women from various regions of Africa weave these pretty baskets. Their deft fingertips work overtime to express their creativity while they are lost in friendly conversations.

These straw baskets add a natural accent to homes or workplaces and just looking at it brings back memories of a fantastic holiday.

#3 Flying Carpets – Pride of Morocco’s Souks

Because the shopkeepers swirl and toss them with such flamboyance, I call them the flying carpets!  These vibrant rugs are Morocco’s most prized artifacts. Tourists flock to Morocco’s souks for these beauties handcrafted by nomadic tribes .

While browsing the matrix of antiques in Marrakech, we felt a similar rush of adrenaline that we had felt while looking for hidden gems in Dubai. 

For centuries, Berber tribes have crossed the Sahara across the ever shifting sands, bringing with them their motifs and designs.

Don’t even think about leaving Morocco’s souks with these.

#4 Pierced Lanterns

Another speciality of Moroccan souks is hand made lanterns. Painstakingly perforated by the artisan himself, these elegant lamps come in various intricate designs.

The blacksmith hammers & chisels away bits of metal in an art form passed down for generations.

Once lit, these lamps transform a room into a magical wonderland, illuminated by diffused glow. After a demanding day, unwind in the soft twinkle of these lamps. A must buy in Marrakesh’s souk.

#5 Be Bohemian

From the streets of Casablanca to the coastal village of Essaouira, Morocco has inspired fashion icons like Yves Saint Laurent and perhaps cradled Haute Couture.

Before you go to Paris, indulge in bohemian jewelry of the native clans. Vintage amulets studded with corals or lavish necklaces embedded with turquoise. By the end of your trip, you may feel like the Sultanate’s queen – wearing bracelets made with engraved gems, ethnic coins and precious stones !

#6 Native Decor

Embellish your home with handpicked souvenirs in these lively markets. Just browsing Marrakech’s souk, evoked a sense of romanticism and I felt I was in the pages of Arabian nights.

Aladdin lamps so inviting that N rubbed them hoping a genie would appear. Wait..Or was it me? Magic carpets, mystical lamps, secret alleys – there’s a lot more to take back from Morocco’s souks than just gorgeous souvenirs.

#7 Local Condiments

Moroccan food is flavorful and aromatic. If you think there is only one place known for its succulent olives, then think again!

Olives in Morocco’s souks are of very high quality and are used abundantly in traditional fare. The locals use a variety of spices in their cuisine, mostly to stew meats and vegetables in Tajine.

Herbs are used to infuse freshness in their brews – especially the famous Moroccan sweet mint tea.

#8 Dry Fruits of the Oasis

Morroco’s souks have more delicious surprises for you. Marrakech nestles between the snowcapped Atlas mountains and the scorching Sahara.

It is an oasis dotted with tangerine trees and date palms. Moroccan cooking reflects this abundance – figs, raisins, and preserved lemons are used in chicken Tajines.

Pick assorted dry fruits from Marrakech’s souks. Crunchy green pistachios and luscious apricots enhance simple peasant dishes to rich cuisines. Sample the prunes, raisins, dates and other bounties of this bedouin kingdom and bring some for your friends and family too!

#9 Stay stylish with Babouches

Babouches are traditional shoes of the locals. Morocco is known for some the world’s finest leather. These hand stitched shoes are crafted in family run workshops in the heart of medina. Babouches from Fez and Marrakech are highly prized and exported worldwide. The three of us loved our babouches, N however wanted to even sleep with them on!

Visiting the souks is an enjoyable and exciting cultural activity. Its an absolute must do , when in Morocco.

What was your favorite thing to do in Morocco?