Souks are Morocco's beating heart. What to buy, where, how to bargain.
**Best souks**
**Marrakesh Semmarine** — main street from Jemaa el-Fna. Leather, spices, textiles. Most touristy = highest prices.
**Marrakesh Souk Cherratine** — leather workshops less discovered.
**Fez Attarine** — spices, best quality in country.
**Fez Souk el Henna** — cosmetics, argan, hammam accessories.
**Chefchaouen medina** — wool blankets, textiles, cheaper than south.
**Essaouira** — thuya wood carvings unique to region.
**Tetouan** — Andalusian style, tourist-free.
**What to buy**
**Sure buys**: mint tea kits, spices (saffron 5 EUR/g cheaper than Europe), argan oil (from women coop), leather poufs (empty, fill at home), Berber rug (invest).
**Avoid**: cheap "silver" jewelry (nickel), fake amber (plastic), "antique" items (mostly fake).
**Bargaining tactics**
1. Never accept first price. Start 25-30%.
2. Compare 3 shops for same item — you'll know real range.
3. Walk away often. They call back.
4. Cash gets discount.
5. Buy multiple = better deal per unit.
6. Never buy from touts approaching you first.
**Scam alerts**
"Free tea" often = pressured sale. Fez tannery "roof tour" free but expects purchase. Fake guides in medinas.
**Shipping home**
Offered by all bigger shops. DHL 3-5 days, EUR 100-300 per box. Check import duty your country before buying big items.