Welcome to Marrakech! Sun, palm trees, couscous, tagine… The city's national sport? Haggling! Football? No, really not… Hakimi? Never heard of him…
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Seriously, haggling is everywhere here, all the time (or almost). Everything is negotiable, yes, even your rent! It can seem confusing, even awkward at first, especially if you're not used to it and have never had to do it in your life. But in Marrakech it's the custom, so no fuss, you just have to jump in. Today, we're teaching you the rules of the haggling game for golden deals in the Marrakech souk. We hope you have room in your suitcase!
The 3 Golden Rules for Haggling in the Marrakech Souk
1. Your Smile: Your Secret Charm in the Marrakech Souk!
There are lots of things to take into account for good haggling in the Marrakech souk (national sport, we told you). First of all, for a good negotiation, you need a smile and good instincts. If you don't click with the shopkeeper, if the vibe isn't there, if the gentleman is unpleasant (an unpleasant Marrakchi in the Marrakech souk? Does that even exist??), move on. You'll find what you're looking for elsewhere.
If you go shopping in the Marrakech souk at the end of the day, patience isn't what it is in the morning. The best deals happen in the morning, because they carry the "baraka" (luck): yes, the future belongs to those who get up early!
Next, jokes and smiles are always welcome in the Marrakech souk. The Marrakchis have more than one line up their sleeve to draw you into their nets: "cheaper than free," "for the gazelle it's free… up to the cash register!," "air-conditioned babouche?," "flying carpet?"… so play along: the gift of the gab is a real plus. You have to joke around and keep the mood light since people always prefer to haggle with a friendly customer, and it can save you a few dirhams.
But don't lose sight of your goal because you have to come out of this fight a winner (national sport, we told you).
2. Our Tips for Understanding How the Souk in Marrakech Works!
Having a smile can help but it isn't always enough! To be a haggling ace in the Marrakech souk you also need to understand how the artisans set their prices!
In the Marrakech souk, the price the shopkeeper quotes is often to be divided by two, sometimes even by three. (just that!) Wait until the last moment to name your price, and first ask the shopkeeper to name theirs. Then you can do the math in your head (no, don't pull out your calculator) to get an idea of the price you want to end up with. And ask them to lower theirs first (several times if possible), because once you've named your price, the negotiation starts and the goal will be to reach a compromise "halfway," so the lower you start, the better! Buying several items in the Marrakech souk is also a good argument: it's good for your seller, so bring it up in the negotiation.
A tip: get the price of a single item down as far as you can, then announce that you'll take several to get an extra discount.
3. Speaking Darija, the Secret Weapon of Haggling!
Speaking darija (Moroccan Arabic) is also a big plus in the Marrakech souk: yes, we know you can say "salam aaleykoum" and that's great, say it, but say more!! Show the person you're dealing with that you're not a beginner, and saying a few words in Arabic will be appreciated. It might help you in your quest for the best price.
Here are a few words to help you get by, with the English to Moroccan Arabic translation:
Bchaal: how much?
Bzef/Ghali bezaf: that's too expensive!
Cheap: l'rkhis
Money: flouss
Big: kbir
Small: sgheir
Khoya: brother
Bslama: goodbye
Choukrane: thank you in Moroccan Arabic
La choukrane: no thank you
Knowing Marrakech Souk Prices: The Basics!
The ultimate tip for haggling in the Marrakech souk is to be comfortable with the price you name and want to spend, remember that there is work behind what you want to buy, often handmade, and surely hours of labor.
Sure, Moroccan prices are much cheaper than European prices, but your price must respect the work that went into it. If you're dealing with an artisan (not a reseller) in a spot far from the Marrakech souk where there aren't many tourists, chances are the quoted price is fair from the start: if the price seems right to you, and/or the person seems uncomfortable with an attempt to haggle, then there's no need to negotiate!
Because the main difficulty of this exercise, we're well aware, is that we have no idea of Moroccan prices, and without a reference point it's very easy to get fooled, here are some examples of fair prices you can get in the Marrakech medina (these aren't the Moroccan prices, because let's not kid ourselves, we will NEVER get the Moroccan prices hehe, but they're fair prices):
- Food-grade argan oil, 100ml: 70 dhs
- Cosmetic argan oil, 50ml: 50 dhs
- Painted ceramic plate, 25 cm: 50 dhs
- Ashtray: 50 dhs
- Metal lantern: from 200 dhs
- Classic djellaba: between 120 and 400 dhs depending on quality
- Pair of babouches: from 120 dhs
- Cushion cover, 45×45 cm: about 100 dhs
- Boucharouite rug, 180 x 120 cm: between 600 and 800 dhs
- Wool rug, 180 x 120 cm: between 1000 and 1200 dhs
- Saffron: between 150 and 300 dhs for 1 gram of quality saffron
- Ras el Hanout: about 50 dhs for 100 grams
- Cumin: about 30 dhs for 100 grams
If it doesn't work out, no problem, you can't win every time! Pretend to leave (or really leave) and the shopkeeper will very likely call you back so as not to lose you! Also keep in mind that haggling is give and take. They lower their price but you'll very likely have to raise yours a little! That's why it's better to start lower than "your price."
After all these tips, you're now ready to become the Messi of haggling in the Marrakech souk! With a smile, a good dose of instinct and these tricks, good deals will hold no more secrets for you. Have fun, and yes, that pretty lamp would look great in your living room, especially at that price! Remember that haggling is an art, a true custom in the souk. So bring out your secret weapons, show some charm and patience, and treat yourself! 😉 And if after all that, haggling still scares you a little, no worries! The best solution is to have a seasoned guide with you who will know how to negotiate for you with no hidden commissions or scams. Discover our Historic Marrakech experience to explore the medina with a guide who will reveal the secrets of the Marrakech souk, for an authentic, hassle-free experience.
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