Discover Marrakech's present and unique secrets in the most enjoyable way with this half-day afternoon excursion through the souks (markets/shops) of the medina – the old city center. With one of our friendly city guides, you'll wander through the narrow alleys and streets past various traditional crafts: wool dyers, coppersmiths, leatherworkers, woodcarvers, and more. You'll also learn all about the development of each neighborhood in the medina. During the walking tour, you'll primarily walk through the northern part of the souks. Discover Marrakech's present in the most enjoyable way with this afternoon excursion in Marrakech. Entrance fees are not included. Price listed for groups of 4 or more. For groups under 4: surcharge €15 per person. Departure from the central square, Jemaa el Fna. Small group (max. 8 people); more people upon request (discounts possible). Also available with additional Dutch-speaking guides – great if you have children. €25 per person (minimum 4 people!)

afternoon Marrakech Souks & Secrets PHOTO excursion
Discover Marrakech's present and unique secrets in the most enjoyable way with this half-day afternoon excursion through the souks (markets/shops) of the medina – the old city center. Accompanied by one of our friendly city guides.

During this afternoon walk that starts and ends at the central square Jemaa el Fna, we explore the northern part of the old medina in Marrakech.

Wander through the narrow alleys and streets, passing various traditional crafts: wool dyers, coppersmiths, leatherworkers, woodcarvers, and more. You'll also learn all about the development of each neighborhood in the medina. The walking tour focuses primarily on the northern section of the souks. Discover Marrakech's present in the most enjoyable way with this afternoon excursion in Marrakech. Entrance fees are not included. The price quoted is based on a minimum of 4 people. Departure from the central square, Jemaa el Fna. Small group (max. 8 people); additional participants are available upon request (discounts possible).

We'll also explore the once-largest mosque with its accompanying bathing area, where worshippers could perform their ritual duties before prayer. Nearby is also the famous Quranic school. On our way there, and especially on our way back, we'll wander through all the different souks with crafts and handicrafts. The Industrial Revolution hasn't quite arrived here yet. It almost looks like vintage handicrafts, but they are truly original and old.

Take photos, look at them and enjoy them
The ultimate goal of this afternoon excursion is to feast your eyes and capture it on camera. Our guide will take you to the most charming craftspeople. The guide will provide tips for their explanations and demonstrations, so you can take photos and simply enjoy all the beauty and unique techniques of all this handicraft.

the souks we pass by:
– Souk Ableuh (olives) 
– Souk Rahba Kedima (rugs & carpets)
– Souk Jeld (leather),
– Souk El Attarine (copper),
– Souk Cheratin (leather works),
– Souk Chkairia (fabrics, textiles and traditional clothing),
– Souk Haddadine (lampshades),
– Souk El-Maazi (meat, especially goat and sheep).
– Souk des Teinturiers; the wool dyers souk.

This way you discover how the city is structured with originally a separate district for each craft. Comparable to what we know in the Netherlands and Belgium as the former guilds with master craftsmen.

Besides all the handicrafts with wool dyers, coppersmiths, and leather workers, you'll also get a glimpse of everyday life in Marrakech. Each neighborhood has its own water source, mosque, hammam, Koranic school, and even the "public bakery" where women can bring their dough in the morning to have their bread baked. The afternoon is reserved for cookies. The hammam stoker is often also a musician, and you can have your "tanghia" stewed, the typical Marrakech dish—a spicy beef stew simmered for hours in the hot coals. During this "souks & secrets" tour, you'll gain more insight into the secrets of Marrakech in a fun and lighthearted way.

During the walk through mainly the northern part of the souks you will also pass a number of the seven most famous saints' graves. On each day of the week people meet in one of the zaouias*
Sunday: Moul el Ksour – Sidi Abdellah Ben Oujal El Ghazouani
Monday: Sidi es Soheïli (buried near Bab Rob)
Tuesday: Sidi Youssef Ben Ali,
Wednesday: Cadi Ayyad Ben Moussa (buried near Bab Aylen)
Thursday: Sidi Bel Abbès,
Friday: Sidi Ben Slimane Al Jazouli,
Saturday: Sidi Abd el Aziz,

The artwork with the seven pillars near the Bab Dakkoula city gate is an ode to them. You can also have your fortune told by some saints; for example, on Thursdays at Sidi Bel Abbès / Bab Taghzout and on Fridays at Mul el Ksour (with the "tin-melting" women at the back of the mosque).

* a zaouia is a meeting, group or circle, an Islamic religious school, monastery or brotherhood

Nice to know
The 7 most important saints of Marrakech.
– Sidi Youssef Ben Ali (buried near Bab Ghmat)
– Qadi Ayyad (buried near Bab Aílen)
– Sidi bel Abbes – (buried near Bab Taghzout – the most important of the 7 saints and the patron saint of the poor and the blind)
– Sidi Ben Slimane / Suleyman Al Jazuli buried at the zaouïa Jazoulia on the north side of the medina near Dar-el-Glaoui
– Sidi Abdel Aziz (popular with women for his healing powers for infertility)
– Sidi Abdullah Ghazouani – Moul El Ksour
– Imam Souhaili – buried near Bab Robb

The pilgrimage to the Seven Saints is similar to the route around the holy Kaaba in Mecca. The devotional route passes through the medina from the southeast to the southwest via the north. It begins on Tuesday and ends the following Monday. Each day is reserved for one of the saints:

Tuesday – Sidi Youssef Ben Ali
Wednesday – Cadi Ayyad
Thursday – Sidi Bel Abbès
Friday – Sidi Ben Slimane
Saturday – Sidi Abdelaziz Tebbaâ
Sunday – Sidi Abdellah El Ghazouani
Monday – Imam Souheili

It's also interesting to know that in Arabic, Morocco is called  Maghreb – the west: the land where the sun sets. This is seen from the Arab world. During this informative and especially enjoyable walk through the old walled city center – the medina – you'll learn even more interesting facts.

End around 5.30pm
at Jemaa el Fna square – at the UNESCO monument.