The Markets of Morocco

May 20, 2023

Written by Joelle

A Colorful and Agriculturally Rich Photo Essay

“I love Morocco – it’s a real challenge to all five senses. You think you know something, and you don’t. It’s wonderful. It keeps you on your toes that way.”
Amy Ryan, Actress

It was our first visit to Morocco, and as much research we did before arriving, we were not ready for the assault it had on all our senses. Our experience in Morocco exceeded our expectations, and it would be easy to write many articles on this magnificent country and its people. That can take time, but for now, we will capture the magic of the markets of Morocco that are world-famous and deservedly so.

The markets of Morocco were so intriguing and unique to photograph. The pictures depict best what the experience was like. The article will be a photo essay of the four markets we were most blown away by. Surprisingly each was unique in its own right, which made the experience even more captivating.

Our first travels with Intrepid Travel

Starting with a bit of background on the trip. I, Joelle, and my husband, brother, and sister-in-law, spent 9 days in Morocco with Intrepid Travel. It was our first time using this tour company based out of Australia. We had only heard great things about their tours, and after experiencing one for ourselves, we can say we wholeheartedly agree. Our tour was the 7-night Premium Highlights. Our trip started in Casablanca, followed by Meknes, Fes, Bin Ouidane, and Marakesh, with many stops in between. We also extended our trip one day on either end of the Intrepid tour.

Their immersion into the local culture and traditions makes traveling with Intrepid an exceptional experience. Each group (ours was 12 people) is led by an expert leader that travels with you throughout the trip. Our leader was Hamid, and he was extraordinary. He is from a village in the Atlas Mountains and lives in a multi-generational home, as is traditional in the Berber (Amazigh) community. His personal stories and sharing of Moroccan traditions provided an in-depth look into their culture and way of life.

Definitions

We will provide some background to each market, followed by a photo gallery of the market’s sights. First, let us give some definitions that will come in handy in this discussion.

Medina is the old native quarter of a North African city, usually surrounded by towering walls. Enter the Medina on foot through one of the gates called Babs, which transports you to a different world. Encompassed by towering walls, the purpose of a medina was to keep out invading armies, which is why each of the four Imperial cities of Morocco has its own. It is easy to lose yourself in its story and beauty. You will find a maze of shadowy alleys, narrow streets, souks (marketplaces), historical mosques, and ancient buildings inside a medina. Cars are mostly not in medinas, with mules, donkeys, and hand-pulled carts typically used instead. You will often hear the words “Belak! Belak!” as they try to pass in the narrow streets.

Souk is another word for markets and is part of the soul of Morocco. They are colorful, chaotic, and incredibly exotic, and the air is full of the aroma of spices and baking bread mixed with the pungent smells of centuries-old tanneries while donkeys and carts amble by. Visiting a souk will immerse you in daily Moroccan life that has seen little change over the centuries. All souks were divided and laid out according to the varied commodities being made and sold. The best way to approach the sensory overload is to dive in with an open heart and mind, remembering you are a guest in their world.

Photography in Morocco

In relation to photos, it is permissible to take photographs in the souk, but when taking pictures of people, you do need to seek permission. I did this by showing them I had a camera and confirming a yes or no. Some have said no, and it is essential to respect that. When seeing a camera, many will put their hand up to communicate and even yell stop if they a camera on you. Others have said, “Please, you can take photos.”

There were time-weathered faces of the locals in the crowd that would have been so moving to photograph; their faces told a story in their own right. It was a hard life but with blessings of family, faith, and community. But it was inappropriate to do so, and offering to pay for a picture felt disrespectful. Cultural sensitivity is crucial, and we must not cross the line, especially if our heart tells us not to; those faces are now forever in my memory instead.

Where is Morocco?

Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwestern Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It has land borders with Algeria to the east and the disputed territory of Western Sahara to the south.

Meknes, Morocco

Our first stop on our Intrepid tour after Casablanca was the Moroccan city of Meknes. It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco, located in northcentral Morocco. It has the sixth-largest city by population in the Kingdom.

Meknes was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids as a military settlement. The city became the capital under Sultan Moulay Ismaïl (1672–1727). The sultan designed the city in a Spanish-Moorish style, blending Islamic and European styles. Meknes is known for its imperial past, with remnants from that time like the Bab Mansour, a monumental gate with arches and mosaic tiling. The gate leads into the former imperial city. The Mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismail is the main draw here.

Before visiting the famous Mausoleum, we wandered the souk in the Medina. It was an intriguing and eye-opening first look into Moroccans’ daily life and Morocco’s markets. The souk was full of people shopping for their evening meal. Our visit occurred during Ramadan; during that time, believers fast from sunrise to sunset; this includes no water or smoking. The fast ends at sunset when they will feast with their families.

Azilal, Morocco Rural Weekly Market – Atlas Mountains

A tremendous plus of Intrepid is they allow the guides some flexibility in our daily activities. One of our favorite stops was the once-weekly market in Azilal, which by chance, we were driving by. Our Intrepid leader Hamid thought it would be a unique experience for the group.

This rural market in the Atlas Mountains serves many Berber villages, some hours away. Despite the country’s increasing urbanization, the agricultural sector in Morocco still supports a large workforce. These rural markets of Morocco are essential to the community in the food and services provided and the socialization that occurs. Hamid’s family comes every week to this market from over an hour away. The majority of shoppers were men, but there were many women present. The market echoed vibrant conversations as the locals connected and caught up on local news.

On any day of the week, a market will occur in each Province. The market (souk) is usually in the larger towns or a village which acts as a center for the surrounding rural area and local farms. It is so important that the town often has the day of the week attached to its name.

Donkeys are part of the family

Many come to these markets on donkeys, and there is a donkey “parking lot” behind the market. While approaching the market, we noticed donkeys tethered at the roadside. We were told farmers come down from their villages in the mountains on the donkeys to the main road, tether them, and catch public transportation or a taxi to the market. There were many cars at the market as well.

The market we visited is mainly on a large dirt field with concrete floored structures for butchers and other products. Produce is often laid down right on the dirt. The weekly market was packed with people bartering for prices. We asked our Intrepid what they do if they didn’t sell all their produce, products, or meat. He said by the end of the day, nothing is left; it all sells.

Though the food was predominantly what is sold, there seems to be nothing that is not offered. The saying “everything plus the kitchen sink” applies here; everything you can imagine was being sold, including kitchen sinks. There is a vast area of barber tents. Many vendors offer clothing, shoes, cosmetics, doors, spices, household essentials, livestock, naturopathic medicines, blacksmith services, donkey blankets and baskets, animal feed, woven baskets, etc.

We were the only tourists

This is not a place you will find many tourists, if any, and we can say we were likely the only ones there that day. What a fascinating exposure to a world we rarely get to see close up. Though outsiders, we never felt uncomfortable, and we received many smiles. Though it was not a place to purchase anything, we all appreciated the visit.

Our visit to the Azilal market was a marvel and an intimate look at the ingenuity and life of the Moroccan people. The images are a small capture of our experience. The hub of activity was remarkable.

Fes, Morocco

Fes is the oldest of Morocco’s Imperial cities and has thrice served as the country’s capital. Today, it is one of the most authentic cities in Morocco, reputed as a center for traditional artists and artisans. Fez’s Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized as one of the best-preserved historic towns of the Arab-Muslim world. It is also one of the world’s largest urban pedestrian zones. The city’s most famous building, Quaraouiyine Mosque, is home to the University of Al-Quaraouiyine. Founded in 859, it is believed to be the world’s oldest continuously functioning university. The mosque is also one of Africa’s largest worship centers and can hold up to 20,000 people during prayer time.

During our visit to Fes, we spent most of the day touring the old walled Medina of Fes el Bali, which dates back to the 8th century. The Fes el Bali “labyrinthine” is best explored with a local guide (Intrepid provided an excellent one) as the Medina has 40,000 dead-end alleyways, 9000 streets, 350 Mosques, and 120,000 residents. It is an experience for the mind and senses and the most fascinating of the markets of Morocco we visited. The historic architecture, such as the Madrasas (schools) and Palaces, is captivating. The shopping is incredible within the souk, where we found some of the most exceptional quality products from local artisans. It was the only Medina we visited that we were warned not to enter after dark as it can be dangerous; during the day, we felt entirely safe.

The ancient tanneries

An intriguing piece of our visit was the traditional tanneries in Fes’s leather souk that transported us back to medieval times. Here, skins are cured using archaic ingredients (including cow urine, quicklime, and pigeon feces) and laid out to dry in the sunshine as it has occurred for centuries. The smell is known to be overwhelming, and we were given a fresh sprig of mint to mask it, but we did not feel we needed it. We entered through a leather shop built into the surrounding walls for a bird’s-eye view of the process. Our tannery guide pointed to the home he was born in, overlooking the tannery; generations after generations of families work here. Several in our group bought some lovely leather jackets.

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is the fourth largest city in the Kingdom of Morocco. It is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and began in 1070. The city is west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Berber farmers have inhabited the region since Neolithic times. The Almoravids established the first major structures in the city and impacted its layout for centuries to come. The red walls of the town, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–1123, and various buildings constructed in red sandstone afterward have given the city the nickname “Red City.” Marrakesh increased in subsequent years, becoming a cultural, religious, and trading center.

Marrakech has a medina that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medina ramparts stretch for about 12 miles. The construction was in the 12th century as protective fortifications. The reddish walls stand up to 19 feet high and have 20 gates and 200 towers. Initially, we found the Medina overwhelming as you had to be constantly wary of fast-moving motorbikes flying through the crowded narrow alleyways, missing pedestrians frequently by inches. This was not the case in all the other markets of Morocco. Despite fearing being hit by a motorbike, the Medina and the souks within are fascinating and bustling. The city of Marrakech has 18 souks, the largest of the markets in Morocco. The demand for handmade artisan products employs many Moroccans.

Jena el-Fnaa Square

Jena el-Fnaa, within the Marrakech medina, is the busiest square in Africa. It is called a bridge between the past and the present. It has been a place of trade since early times. At one point, it was where executions by rulers trying to maintain power occurred. Today the square attracts people from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds and visitors from all over the world. Snake charmers, musicians, monkey trainers, herb sellers, storytellers, pastry carts, fresh juice stands, and more populate the square.

It was referred to as more of a bazaar to us, where some of the products you may be buying are not handmade or even from Morocco. There were lots of knockoff athletic shoes, purses, and clothes. The square has four mosques which, when a call to prayer occurs, seem to compete with each other. There are endless restaurant choices, many on rooftops to enjoy the sunset. Jena el-Fnaa is a safe place to wander at all hours, but the vendors are more persistent than in other cities.

Today Marrakech is one of Africa’s busiest cities and is a major economic center and tourist destination. Marrakesh’s real estate and hotel development have grown dramatically in the 21st century. The city is particularly popular with the French, and numerous French celebrities own property there. Culturally it was less strict in the cities, with many Moroccans much less conservatively dressed.

Marrakech is a vibrant, progressive city with beautiful expansive parks, modern buildings, elegant restaurants, and a gorgeous airport. At its heart is an ancient medina that resonates with traditions held firm. It was the perfect ending to our grand Morocco adventure.

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What did we come home with from the markets of Morroco?

A lot, to put it simply. Products we brought home for gifts included argon oil skin products, a silver teapot, a ceramic tagine, tagine spices, artisan plates, clothes, candy, soaps, artwork, etc. If there were only more room, it would have been even more.

To support tourism, the Moroccan government will ship back to your home many higher-end artisan products for free. That was too tempting. We bought a lovely 8×10 Agave Silk rug that arrived the day after we got home. We purchased a custom-made outdoor tile table that will come in three months. The incredible artisan products we laid eyes on at the markets of Morocco will now be a permanent fixture back home.

Where to stay when visiting the markets of Morocco

Since our post here is on the markets of Morocco, the best place in our view to stay is in a Riad within the Medina. A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an indoor garden and courtyard. They are usually located within the old medina walls. Riads are very common in Morocco and used to be homes for wealthy merchants and traders. Many Riads in Morocco have been converted into luxury guest houses for travelers. These traditional buildings make for a more authentic and immersive experience. There are many to choose from, but please look carefully at reviews. Try to find one near the entrances to the medinas, as luggage will need to be brought in from there.

We absolutely adored Riad Nesma in Marrakech. You can find it in the two links below.

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Safety in the Markets of Morocco

Experiencing these markets within our Intrepid tours was ideal for familiarizing ourselves and learning how to maneuver through them. Each market had its unique aspects we needed to be sensitive to. Fes, as an example, would be easy to get lost in and could be scary if you did. Meknes had an edginess and with us feeling a little out of place compared to other markets. Marrakech, a more contemporary city, felt less traditional while holding onto those traditions; it was an odd dichotomy.

The biggest surprise was how safe all of these markets of Morocco felt. There are many misconceptions about what to worry about here. We found the Moroccan people welcoming, warm, and friendly. Vendors were surprisingly much less aggressive than most European nations. Female tourists did not seem to be harassed or made to feel uncomfortable like they were in so many places. Not to say you should not be constantly aware, but it seemed you could relax here than in most destinations. The country is heavily focused on tourism, and it is said there are tourism police among these markets that will crack down on Moroccans who do not behave well. The only place we were warned about safety was entering the souk in Fes after closing hours. In Marrakech no issue at any time of the night. We wandered the Marrakech markets on our own without a guide.

Final Thoughts

After extensive travels in Europe, it was my first visit to the continent of Africa, Ryan has been before. Despite all my research on Morocco, this beautiful and enchanting country endlessly blew me away. It was hard not to fall in love with the gracious and gentle people we encountered along our journey. I give a lot of credit to Intrepid, for they had us see Morroco at its heart, and without the tour, I don’t think I would have come to appreciate that as much as I have. We were welcomed with open hearts and acceptance everywhere we went. Our job was simple; be a kind and respectful guest of their culture and values.

It has renewed my passion to explore more remote corners of the world. Into areas, I may have misconceptions of and where I can expand my cultural awareness. The markets provided an intimate look into centuries-old traditions and the lives of today’s Moroccans. By sharing their lives and ours, we appreciate our similarities more than our differences. I hope the pictures bring you closer to that as well.

Check out Morocco’s Offical Tourism Site for more information

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