What Is a Souk in Morocco?

A souk (also spelled souq) is a marketplace — in Morocco, typically a warren of narrow lanes lined with small stalls and workshops inside the old medina. Traditionally souks are organised by trade or product, so you get clusters: the leather souk, the spice souk, the carpet souk, the metalworkers, the dyers’ souk, the babouche (slipper) sellers, and so on.

Some towns also hold a weekly regional souk (a big open-air market on a set day), which is where the word can also refer to a market day rather than a place.

The medina is the whole old walled city; the souks are the markets within it. So you enter the medina and find the souks inside — in Marrakech and Fes they sprawl through much of the old town. The famous Marrakech souks fan out north of Jemaa el-Fnaa.

It’s easy (and fun) to get lost; note a landmark or gate to find your way back.

Souks sell everything from rugs, leather, lanterns, ceramics, spices and argan oil to clothing and everyday goods. Prices aren’t fixed — haggling is expected and friendly: open at around a third of the asking price and meet in the middle, and be ready to walk away. You’re never obliged to buy, and accepting mint tea doesn’t commit you.

For fixed, fair prices without bargaining, artisan cooperatives are a good alternative. Carry dirham cash, as many stalls don’t take cards.