What to Buy in Marrakech: Your Ultimate Guide (with prices)

Morocco is a fantastic destination for finding handmade items at surprisingly affordable pricesโ€”if you know how to haggle effectively. While locals are well-versed in navigating the quality and pricing of goods, many foreigners often fall prey to inflated prices for lower-quality items. This can be particularly draining, especially if you’re not familiar with the nuances of Moroccan markets. So, what to buy in Marrakech? I’m here to help.

Even as someone who considers herself well-traveled, I sometimes struggle to distinguish between real silver and imitation, or quality leather versus its less durable counterparts. That’s why I’ve put together this comprehensive guide.

It will help you identify the best products, understand how to negotiate for a fair price, and avoid common pitfalls. With these insights, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy Morocco’s vibrant markets and make the most of your shopping experience.

Happy travels to Morocco!

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Mini-Guide to Marrakech

๐Ÿจ Places to Stay
Riad Lumiere – my personal favorite!
Riad Dar El Mรฉdina
Dar Al Hayat

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Places to Eat
Magic Coffee | Try the tchiza sandwich with beef
La Pergola | Beautiful rooftop overlooking Jemaa el-Fnaa
Kabana | Upscale cocktail bar with a good happy hour

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸŽจ Things to Do
Go on a Medina food tour
Visit the House of Photography
Take a souks walking tour

How to haggle in Morocco

The first day of my group trip, our guide candidly shared, โ€œHaggling is just a part of the culture.โ€ While I wasnโ€™t initially thrilled about it, the reality is that you either play the game or forego buying. In Morocco, shopkeepers often start with prices that are 2-3 times higher than what you should actually pay, so having sharp haggling skills is essential to bringing the price down to a more reasonable level.

A few haggling tips

  • Never display too much enthusiasm for an item. If you seem too eager, the seller will be less likely to offer a discount. Maintain a neutral attitude to avoid being pushed into paying more than you should.
  • Always begin by asking the shop for their โ€œbest price.โ€ While this is not their lowest price, it gives you a starting point for negotiations. This initial offer will provide insight into where they expect to begin the bargaining process.
  • Shops will frequently ask you to name your best price, which is largely a tactic to gauge your willingness to negotiate. Since you may not be familiar with the true value of the item, itโ€™s beneficial to research the cost of similar items beforehand. This knowledge will help you negotiate more effectively.
  • A strategy that has consistently worked for me is to mention that youโ€™re planning to visit another shop that sells a similar item at a price youโ€™re willing to pay. This tactic can often prompt the seller to meet your price to close the sale.
  • Aim to negotiate down to about 50% of the initial price offered. For example, if the shopkeeper starts with a price of 200 Dirhams, your goal should be to settle around 100 Dirhams.

There is an easier way to get a good deal in Morocco and thatโ€™s shopping with a local. Hiring a guide for the day or going on a guided shopping tour will help. However, be aware that some tours may take you to shops where the guide earns a commission. To ensure fair pricing, choose a guide or tour known for ethical practices. This way, you benefit from local expertise without compromising on getting a fair deal.

Best Souvenirs from Morocco: Your guide on what to buy

Spices + Seasonings

There is no better place to purchase quality spices at affordable prices than Morocco. The best way to get your spices is through a spice shop where all the spices are freshly ground to order – if your spices are not coming from the mill then you should not be purchasing them.

If youโ€™re looking for unique gifts or souvenirs for yourself, consider bringing back the Moroccan spice blend Ras el Hanout which is a blend of 35 spices. You could also choose the Moroccan curry powder, which is perfect for chicken marinades. Prices vary based on the spice, as some are more expensive than others. The price is always dependent on the weight of the spice (or spice blend).

I bought spices at the Rahba Kedima Square in the Souk El Attarine, which features a handful of quality spice vendors. 

Lanterns

Brass lanterns have been a staple of the Moroccan home for centuries and with good reason: they are beautiful. Youโ€™ll find a lot of vendors in the medina selling a variety of small to extravagant lanterns with varying degrees of quality and craftsmanship.

The Souk el Attarine, a great place to wander to see Moroccan blacksmith still creating, is a great place to start. Keep in mind that prices are largely dependent on the design, with more elaborate ones costing you more. You should expect to pay 100-500 Dirham for a small to medium lightweight lantern. 

Moroccan Foods

A category all its own Moroccan foods are a great choice to bring home on your trip. Of course, USDA restricts most meat, dairy, and fresh fruits and vegetables but there are plenty of other options you can bring home with you.

Some options that are approved to travel home with you include prepackaged harissa, olives, spices, olive oil, and honey. (Just be sure to pack them in your checked bag.)

Ceramics

Ceramics have long had a tradition in Morocco so itโ€™s no wonder that youโ€™ll find hundreds of vendors selling them in Marrakech. Common choices are tajines, plates, serving bowls, and small spice holders. Depending on where you buy your ceramics youโ€™ll find a wide range of prices, too.

Small pieces, such as spice holders, can be as little as 40 Dirham while a tajine can cost you 200-300 Dirham. 

Depending on what youโ€™re looking for you can snag a great deal on an item at Jamaa El Fna from someone with a cart or small display. Or, find yourself lost in the shops with some higher-end retailers with beautiful pieces.

Rugs

Morocco has a long history of women weaving with techniques passed down for generations. There is a huge array of Moroccan rugs that range in price from material, size, and time involved in creating the patterns. Those with more embroidery tend to be the most expensive. 

But unless youโ€™re a rug expert itโ€™s hard to tell a rug of quality from a cheaper one. Itโ€™s a good idea to do your research to find a reputable vendor, or consider booking a guide to help you get the best deal at a quality vendor in Marrakech. Though you are paying for a private guide youโ€™ll end up saving more than the rug will cost going with a guide.

Leather

If you want a quality piece of leather at an affordable price then Morocco is the place to buy. Most leather products here come from cow, goat, and camel and range in price based on size, design, material, and dye choice (yellow leather is most expensive because it uses saffron to dye it). 

Unless youโ€™re an expert it can be hard to tell the difference of leather and dye used so if youโ€™re a serious buyer consider going with a local guide to help. As to price this is a large range but to give you an idea I bought a medium backpack in Fes made of camel leather for 1300 Dirham with the help of my guide. Meanwhile a leather jacket might be 2,500-3,000 Dirham. 

Going to Fes on your trip? Consider skipping the leather haggling in Marrakech and instead get your leather goods at the tanneries in Fes. Everything in Marrakech comes from there anyways and youโ€™ll likely get a better product.

Argan Oil and Cosmetics

If you see women using grinding stones to make a thick paste thatโ€™s an argan oil shop. Argan oil is a long tradition in Morocco and the oils are used to make everything from cosmetics to creams to cooking oil in Morocco. Real argan oil should look like a thick paste with a strong nut smell upon grinding.

There are many shops in the Souks selling argan products but two you should consider are Arganino and Assouss Argane. Both shops have high-quality products and fair prices.

Slippers and Sandals

Walking along the Marrakech souks youโ€™ll find plenty of vendors selling traditional Moroccan slippers and modern sandals, too. Traditional slippers are made of leather with pointed toes, usually as a slip on. Both options are usually made with local leather thatโ€™s dyed into beautiful colors. 

Prices vary based on style but usually you can get a pair for anywhere between $20-40 USD.

Quick guide to Marrakech souks

Like any town in Morocco the souks are the heart of your visit. With bustling streets filled with donkeys carrying goods, people bargaining prices, and small street stalls with amazing Moroccan dishes you’ll wind through the souks saying no more times than you’d like to count.

And in Morocco there might not be any better, and certainly not more memorable, than the souks of Marrakech.

The Marrakech souks are all near Jemaa el Fna square making them easy to find but hard to navigate. Between the winding streets and lack of business Google reviews it’s hard to know which of the souks many stalls is reputable. If you’re staying at a hotel oftentimes they’ll have some suggestions of businesses to visit but still be sure to ask them before what a fair price should be for the items you’re looking to buy.

Souk Semmarine

This souk sells pretty much everything from pottery to textiles to spices and more. It’s the largest souk and, I think, the easiest to get lost in the side streets of.

Souk el Attarine

This souk is primarily known for its metal working, particularly with brass and copper. But you’ll also find spices and candles and even perfumes in this souk.

Souk Nejjarine

The Souk Nejjarine is known for its woodworking. Here you’ll find ornate furniture, wooden boxes, and also handmade instruments.

FAQs of Marrakech

What is Marrakech best known for?

Marrakech is mostly known for its famous spice market but you can find handmade goods from a variety of trades in the souks.

What is cheap to buy in Marrakech?

If you are a foreigner in Marrakech nothing starts out cheap in the souks. The best way to snag a locally fair price is to go to the souk with a local. If not, you will likely be paying more than double in price, making some things unreasonably expensive for tourists. I

Is there anything worth buying in Marrakech?

Absolutely! There are plenty of handmade, local products sold in the souks around Marrakech. The thing to keep in mind is that visiting Morocco means inflated prices and lesser quality products if you don’t know where to go and what to bargain. I recommend going with a local to ensure you get a fair price of a high-quality product.

More Morocco Tips + Inspiration

I hope you have a great time on your trip to Morocco! I absolutely loved finding some quality souvenirs to bring home and I hope you do, too. It’s tough being in a haggling culture so best of luck to you. To help with your trip to Morocco I also have some other amazing travel itineraries, tips, and guides:

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