7 Best Places to Shop in Marrakesh, Morocco

Just a quick turn right and then left out of the Souk Lghzal (via Rue Souk Semarine) is the large square called Rahba Qdima. This square is surrounded by small shops that sell everything from cure-alls to run-of-the-mill salt and pepper and just about everything in between. In the center of the square are lots of woven baskets and hats for sale. You'll also find ladies pounding henna leaves to create henna powder. If shopping isn't your for you, head to the rooftop of nearby Nomad for a glass of tea and a bird's-eye view.

From Rue Souk el-Attarine, follow that main souk street as faithfully as possible and it will take you north, looping clockwise to the east, and through the ironmongers' souk, where you'll see blacksmiths at work, hammering out lanterns and wrought-iron chairs.

One of the easiest ways to head back to Jemaa el-Fnaa from a day of souk shopping is to find Rue Mouassine, the souk's westernmost main north–south artery (the other main artery is Rue Souk Semarine, on the eastern side of the souks). Rue Mouassine is quite easy to find, and it's almost impossible to veer away from the correct path once you're on it; the simplest route is to take a counterclockwise loop from behind the Ben Youssef Mosque—when you hit the big mosque, you've hit Rue Mouassine. This is heavy souvenir territory, with the whole gamut of goods on display—lanterns, teapots, scarves, babouches, djellabas. The street spits you out into the northeast corner of Bab Fteuh square, and from there it's a short hop down to Jemaa el-Fnaa.

Look for Fnac Berbère, the Amazigh bookshop, on the southern section of Rue Mouassine (the southern section from the fountain to Bab Fteuh square is sometimes known as Rue Fehl Chidmi). It's a good landmark.

Traditionally the market street for perfumes, essential oils, and spices, Souk el Attarine is one of the main left turns from Souk Semarine (as you head north), leaving the road at a "10 o'clock" angle. If this is as deep as you wish to explore in the souks, then you can make an interesting loop by walking as far as the entrance to the Souk des Babouches (on the right) and then soon after take a turn off left, passing through the wool-dyers' souk and heading to the Mouassine mosque. Turning left after the mosque you head back south eventually, down Rue Mouassine to rejoin Bab Fteuh square.

North of Jemaa el-Fnaa on Souk Semarine, you pass a fairly prominent derb that turns off to the left (Rue R'mila Bab Ksour, also called Rue el Ksour). Take the next right turn and wander down a few yards (toward the Spice Square or Rahba Qdima) and on the right you will find the small square of Souk Lghzal, the Wool Souk. Today women sell secondhand clothes in the square, and the odd djellaba. Head over to the apothecary stalls leading up to the entrance to the square, and immediately to the right on entering it for spices and potions galore.

Souk Semarine is the main street that runs from Jemaa el-Fnaa into deeper parts of the souk. If you're beginning your exploration here, you'll at first see a mishmash of products but as you go farther specialty items begin to appear: rug shops, fine wood crafts, and stalls selling dazzling lamps and lighting fixtures are prominent.

From Jemaa el-Fnaa take the street just to the left of Cafe Argana, which leads into the small Bab Fteuh square, then keep bearing right. To the left there is a kissaria (covered market), with dried fruits, herbs and spices, essential oils, and traditional colored eye kohls. Veer right into the covered market, past a couple of stands selling teapots and mint tea glasses, and take a left onto Rue Souk Semarine. It's signposted and lined with fabrics and inexpensive souvenirs.

The main carpet souk—called the Souk Zrabia—has a flat, shiny floor in the middle of the surrounding boutiques, to roll out the rugs to display to potential buyers. To get here head north on Rue Semarine, and just after the Souk el Attarine branches off left, take the next right turn off the street (which is now more properly named Rue Souk el-Kebir—the Big Souk Street). The carpet souk can also be reached from a passage in Rahba Qdima's northeast corner (to the right of Cafe des Epices).