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World Travel Guide > Guides > Africa > Morocco > Marrakech

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Shopping in Marrakech

Shopping is an absolute delight in Marrakech, although bargaining is essential. A good tip is to start at 20% of the asking price and negotiate your bid from there.

Key areas

A good place to buy carpets is Souk Zrabi, but be prepared to spend hours drinking mint tea, head shaking, sighing and smiling as rugs and carpets are unrolled. If you want fixed-priced rugs, check out Ben Rahal (Rue de Liberté).

Handmade copper and silverware, silk or cotton garments, wooden articles and jewellery can be found at L'Orientaliste (Rue de la Liberté). There are many small jewellers near the Mouassine Mosque.

For leather, Place Vendome (141 Avenue Mohammed V) is a good bet if quality matters more than price. Chic boutiques cluster in Guéliz around Rue de la Liberté, while Rue Yogouslavie is dotted with hidden galleries. For sartorial and accessories elegance, step into the wonder that is Akbar Delights (7 rue des Anciens Marrakchis).

Markets

Leading off from the northern edge of Jemaa el-Fna are the winding alleyways of the souks, the vast, crowded central market of Marrakech, where visitors can pick up anything from slippers to spices. Popular souks include souk Semmarine (for fabrics and souvenirs), souk Larzal (wool or clothing, depending on the time of day), souk Zrabi (for carpets), souk Cherratin (for leatherware), souk Smata (for Moroccan slippers), and souk Haddadine (for lanterns and metalworks).

Beware of strangers who want to help you find your way or take you to a specific shop – decline politely. Our recommendation is to hire an official guide if you prefer to explore the souks safely.

Shopping centres

For those who prefer fixed-price items, check out Ensemble Artisanal (Avenue Mohammed V), a small shopping mall, and Centre Artisanal (Rue de La Kasbah), which specialises in souvenirs and a wide range of handicrafts.

Opening hours

Shopping hours in the medina usually start around 0900. In Guéliz, shops are usually open Monday to Saturday 0930-1230 and 1530-1900. Some shops are closed on Sunday.

Souvenirs

Handwoven Berber carpets, lanterns, babouches (Moroccan slippers), djellaba (a loose hooded robe), spices, and handicrafts are just some of the best buys in Marrakech.

Tax information

VAT is 20% in Morocco. Visitors can claim back VAT on certain purchases if they ask for a Tax Free form and an official receipt. Not all purchases are eligible so it is best to check with the store first.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Riad Dar Aby

Situated just outside the Medina, Riad Dar Aby houses a number of en-suite rooms circled around a bright, tiled courtyard. The daily breakfast of Moroccan pancakes with lashings of jam provides a homely touch, while free Wi-Fi access, optional specialised tours and friendly staff complete the package.

Riad Cherihane

Notable for its vibrant rooftop garden where tortoises laze in sun, the well-priced Riad Chrihane is situated near the northern edge of the Medina, roughly a 15-minute walk from Jemaa el Fna. Though it can be tough to track down, due to its location down a quiet side alley, complimentary Moroccan tea and biscuits greet wearisome guests.

Riad L'Etoile D'Orient

Restored in 2010, this tastefully appointed riad mixes the modern with the traditional, meaning guests can upload snaps of the refined Moroccan decor using the speedy free Wi-Fi service. Just minutes from Jemaa el Fna, rooms here include flatscreen TVs and gorgeous bathrooms. There's also a rooftop terrace to enjoy.

Riad Al Massarah

This riad is the definition of Marrakech cool, with its blend of traditional lofty architecture, handsome custom-made furnishings and ultramodern bathroom fittings by Philippe Starck. Proprietors Michael and Michel are blazing the trail for responsible tourism with clever use of natural light and solar energy, contributions to local charities, and standard-setting wages for staff.

Riyad El Cadi

This elegant guesthouse is a maze of historic riads set around five courtyards and faceted with private balconies, terraces, staircases and light wells. Each of the rooms has its own décor scheme (stay in the cupola-capped Ottoman suite with Turkish tile and latticework harem balcony). It also has a pool with Jacuzzi, subterranean hammam and well-stocked wine cellar.

La Maison Arabe Marrakech

Opened in the 1940s, La Maison Arabe was a popular dining place for the rich and famous (Winston Churchill was a patron). It closed in the 1980s but reopened in 1998 as a hotel with Italian blueblood and African antiques collector Frederic Ruspoli at the helm. His collection is now the centrepiece of the hotel's luxuriously restored suites and rooms.