Marrakech is a shopper's city built on 900 years of caravan trade. Three days takes you from the spice pyramids of Rahba Kedima and the hammering of Souk Haddadine to the ceramic studios of Sidi Ghanem and the flea stalls of Bab El Khemis.
The main covered artery running north from Djemaa el-Fna, roofed in slatted cedar that stripes the lanes with light. Babouche slippers, kilims, silver and cotton. Stalls open around 09:00 and the first hour stays calm before tour groups arrive.
A small open square of cone-stacked spice stalls, dried rosebuds, ras el hanout blends, argan oil and apothecary jars of live chameleons and dried lizards. Sellers weigh on brass scales; ask for a 50g bag rather than the tourist tin.
The leatherworkers' souk northeast of Rahba Kedima, where craftsmen cut and stitch at open benches. Bags, poufs, belts and journals in goat and camel hide. Buying unstuffed poufs saves half your luggage allowance — they ship flat.
The blacksmiths' quarter at the northern edge of the Medina, announced by the sound of hammers on iron. Pierced-brass lanterns, wrought-iron mirrors and candle holders are made in the workshops behind the stalls, often to order in a day or two.
A concept store opposite the Jardin Majorelle gathering around 100 Moroccan and Africa-based designers: raffia bags, hand-embroidered kaftans, jewellery and homeware. Fixed prices, air conditioning, and a courtyard café upstairs.
A small Gueliz store-café on Rue Ibn Aicha stocking slow-made Moroccan labels — linen, ceramics, natural cosmetics — with a coffee counter at the back. A quiet break between the Majorelle crowds and the drive out to Sidi Ghanem.
Marrakech's design quarter, 7km northwest: a grid of warehouses holding LRNCE's painted ceramics, Chabi Chic tableware, Topolina textiles and Le Magasin Général. Most showrooms run Monday to Friday, roughly 09:00-18:00, and close weekends.
Gueliz's mall on Avenue Mohammed V with Moroccan chains, Zara, a Carrefour in the basement and a rooftop terrace facing the Koutoubia minaret. Useful for suitcases, vacuum bags and anything that needs a fixed price and a receipt.
The Medina's northern junk-and-antiques market outside Bab El Khemis: salvaged doors, Art Deco fittings, old Berber jewellery, painted furniture and pure scrap. Biggest on Thursday mornings, when dealers from the countryside set up early.
An unmarked door on Rue Bab Doukkala opening into a warren of rooms stacked floor to ceiling with lanterns, Tuareg mats, carved chests and textiles collected across the Sahara. Prices are high and firm-ish; the staff arrange international shipping.
A rooftop gallery of young designer stalls above the Nomad restaurant building, paired with Max & Jan's kaftan and jewellery store nearby on Rue Amsefah. Fixed prices, contemporary cuts, and the terrace café for a mint tea between rails.
The covered market in the old Jewish quarter behind Place des Ferblantiers, where Marrakchis actually buy: olives by the barrel, preserved lemons, dates, nuts and spices sold by the kilo with no haggling theatre.