If you are on your way to Marrakech’s souks for the first time, prepare yourself for a sensory extravaganza – you are about to be bombarded with the most exquisite sounds, sights, and scents. The best shopping tours in Marrakech offer an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that can not be found anywhere else in the world.
The spirits are so high in the souks that it is natural for tourists to feel overwhelmed or get lost in the winding streets. After all, there are hundreds of stalls in this marketplace, and thousands of tourists and locals cruise through them every day.
Here are five tips for experiencing the best shopping in Marrakech:
Stay at a riad in the Medina.
The best places for lodging in Marrakech are in the Old Medina. The hotels and riads (hostels) are close to the souks, so when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can quickly go back to your room and take some rest. A riad is a traditional Moroccan inn with a courtyard in the center and will offer you a more authentic experience than a hotel.
Use electronic maps.
Most tour guidebooks for Marrakech shopping tours come with a map of the Old Medina or particularly the souks, but they don’t have a scale small enough to draw all the narrow alleyways in the market. It’s best to use GPS and Google Maps to find your way in the labyrinth of Marrakech’s souks. You should also keep an eye on landmarks like the Museum of Marrakech, the tower of the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Jemaa el-Fna. If you lose your way, just head towards whichever landmark you see and reorient yourself.
Embrace interaction.
To experience the best shopping tours in Marrakech, you must delve headfirst into the souks. No amount of preparation can prepare you for what you will witness, and it is the best part about the souks! Talk to the shopkeepers if they don’t bug you to buy their goods, bargain endlessly, and haggle! Let the souks’ liveliness wrap around you, but know when you must keep a straight face and move forward.
Always stay alert.
You should be wary of a few things when walking down the narrow alleyways of the souks – pedestrians are not the only ones on the streets, and your belongings may not be safe. You may have to dodge motorbikes, scooters, donkeys, and whatnot. Leave your expensive belongings back in your hotel room or riad, and if you must carry anything precious, such as your phone or camera, keep an eye on them. Pickpockets are common in crowded places, so keep your wallet and money in a bag that fastens securely.
Get a tour guide
No advice is as invaluable as this. You may think you can travel across the souks yourself, but you may have a more stressful time than an enjoyable trip. A professional tour guide like ours – Marrakech Shopping Tours, can help you navigate the souks easily. Bargain like a champ, visit the best stands, and don’t get lost with your private guide!
If you have some tricks up your sleeve and the will to brave the souks of Marrakech, you are in for an unparalleled adventure. It may be loud and overwhelming at first, but with a local guide, you can experience the beauty of Marrakech the way it deserves!
Let Marrakech Shopping Tours show you the charm of the labyrinthic marketplace. Get lost in the magic of the souks – not in the alleyways!
