Marrakech shopping
Expert guide to Marrakech
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Itineraries Itineraries
Seven days a week, no matter how early your rise in the morning, there’s already somone in the souqs ready to greet you. Marrakech is the original market town and master craftsmen have been working their wonders in the Medina (old city) for centuries. Pleasantries should always precede price enquiries, and good-natured bargaining is expected in the souqs. No matter what price you’re quoted, counter with half of what you’re willing to pay and work up to an acceptable price from there. Shops in the medina are open between 10am and 7pm every day except for Friday afternoon. In Ville Nouvelle (new city) shops, where prices are fixed, opening hours are generally 9.30am to 6pm or 7pm Monday to Saturday.
The Souks
When locals refer to the souks, they mean the maze of market streets that stretch north from theDjemaa el-Fna. The main thoroughfare are Souq Semmarine and Souq el-Kebir, originally dedicated to leather work, they now sell all manner of things and trinkets. Bear in mind, given the high price of real estate here, prices are at their highest and many of the products can be found cheaper in the specialist quissariat (covered markets) further north. Particularly worth a visit is Rahba Kehdima, the apothecaries square, which is ringed with multi-coloured spice stalls. Also of interest is the Creiee Berbere, once the slave market, and now the main Carpet Souk. Souq Haddadine is where you’ll find the blacksmiths at work and close by Place Ben Youssef is the Leatherworkers Souk.
Souq Cherifia
If you’re looking to dip your toe in gently, head to the galleried Souq Cherifia. This mini-market, just off Rue Mouassine, is where younger, edgier Moroccan designers congregate. The workmanship here is also superior to much of what you’ll find in the main souks, take the beautiful hand embroidered linens and towels at La Maison Bahira (maisonbahira.com) and the embellished leather bags from Lalla (lalla.fr). Other must-have souvenirs are the personalised baskets from Original Marrakech (panier-marocain.com), Berber beanies from Ipanema and beautiful silk abayas from Erebya (erebyaparis.com).
Address: Derb Souq Kchachbia, Mouassine, Medina
Contact: souk-cherifia.com
Opening times: 10am-7pm
Mustapha Blaoui
If you’ve been looking around your riad with an enviable eye wondering where the proprietor sourced their fabulous furniture and decorative items, wonder no more. Almost everyone in Marrakech has been to Mustapha’s warehouse of wonders in Mouassine where cavernous rooms are filled with furniture, lamps, glassware, rugs and antiques from all over North Africa. And with his generous shipping policy, you have no excuse not to buy something.
Address: 142-4 Rue Bab Doukkala, Medina
Contact: 00 212 524 385 240; mustaphablaoui.com
Opening times: Mon-Sun 9am-8pm
33 Rue Majorelle
Marrakech’s most fashion-forward concept store is this large, light-filled emporium opposite the Jardin Majorelle. Here you’ll find the very best fashion, food, shoes, jewellery, accessories and nik-naks from over 60 top Moroccan designers and producers. Take homes include super cool panama hats by André Le Chapelier, suped-up babouche by Sugashoo (sugashoo.com) and stylish ceramics by Casablanca based b.boudoua. The shop also sells high quality Moroccan olive oil and wine.
Address: 33 Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Ville Nouvelle
Contact: 33ruemajorelle.com
Opening times: 9.30am-7pm
Soufiane
In a city full of carpet dealers, one stands head-and-shoulders above the rest, and that’s Soufiane Zarib. In the business for three generations, the Soufiane brothers not only source and sell the best Berber Beni Ouirain rugs, but also make to measure beautiful bespoke pieces. Don’t be put off by the gaudy entrance to the shop which is hung with sequined Handira wedding blankets, inside is a vast Saadian-era riad which showcases their incredible stock of over 6,000 pieces. Many have a super modernist feel sporting bold colour combinations and geometric patterns.
Address: 13 Souk de Tapis, Rahba Kehdima, Medina
Contact: 00 212 615 285 690; facebook.com/soufiane.zarib
Opening times: by appointment
Pop-up Shop
French-Algerian designer Nyora Nemiche is one of a new breed of Medina designers, revamping traditional crafts with a cool contemporary eye. Her tiny shop, located in the Le Jardin restaurant lejardinmarrakech.com, sells her stylish range of silk and cotton kaftans and abayas. These beauties have been bought by a stellar list of celebrities including Sharon Stone, Monica Bellucci, Kate Moss and Juliette Binoche. To dress it up, add one of her velvety-soft leather bags or faux-lizard clutches.
Address: Le Jardin, 32 Rue el Jdid, Medina
Contact: norya-ayron.com
Opening times: Wed-Mon 11.30am-5pm & 7-10pm, Tue 11.30am-4pm
Atika
Leatherwork has always been one of Marrakech’s signature crafts and Atika takes the art to a whole new level with a mind-boggling array of candy-coloured loafers. Soft as butter and not too dissimilar to designer brands like Tod’s and John Kennedy favourite, Car Shoe, this is a must-have Marrakech purchase. Some customers have been known to buy their favourite shoe in ten different colours and with prices hovering around £65 a pair, they’re an absolute bargain.
Address: 34 Rue de la Liberté, Ville Nouvelle
Contact: 00 212 524 439 576
Opening times: Mon-Sat 8.30am-12.30pm & 3.30pm-8pm
Al Nour
Non-profit Al Nour offers chic shopping with a feel-good factor. All the clothes and textiles here are finely embroidered by a team of talented disabled women, who work in a large, light filled workshop behind the store. Proceeds from that natty shirt and tunic dress with the embroidered trim go to pay for professional training in accounting and day care facilities. Prices are fixed here, but there’s no charge for alterations and all home textiles can be made to measure.
Address: 57 Rue Laksour, Medina
Contact: 00 212 524 390 323; alnour-textiles.com
Opening times: Wed-Sat 9am-2pm & 3pm-7pm
Riad Yima
Riad Yima is the brainchild of acclaimed Marrakshi pop-artist Hassan Hajjaj and serves as both a gallery for his work and a thriving café. Everything you see, eat off and sit on here is for sale from the colourful, recycled Coke-crate benches to the sardine-can lanterns. Pride of place though goes to Hassan’s provocative photography, which places traditional Middle Eastern iconography within the modernist consumerist culture. Think of his series of ‘Kesh Women’ sitting astride mopeds veiled with Gucci scarves, or footballers feet clad in Nike-branded babouche. No wonder he’s been dubbed the Andy Warhol of Marrakech.
Address: 52 Derb Aarjane, Rahba Kehdima, Medina
Contact: 00 212 524 391 987; riadyima.com
Opening times: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm
Maktoub
If you’re wondering what constitutes Medina streetwear then head to Maktoub, where Belgian Jan Pauwels and Casablancan Maximilien Scharl turn out soft, drape dresses, slouchy pants and velveteen bomber jackets. The look is understated and cool, with graphic prints and subtle embroidered detailing. Dress it up with statement jewellery from Joykech or smartly wrapped print turban.
Address: 128 Fontaine Mouassine, Medina
Contact: 00 212 524 375 570; maxandjan.ma
Opening times: Mon-Sun 10am-7pm
