No visit to Marrakech is complete without a visit to the famous souks, a seemingly inescapable maze of open and covered markets selling everything imaginable. And who doesn't want to obtain a few good deals when shopping for souvenirs on holiday? We all know that stall and shop owners hike prices when they see a tourist approaching but don't let this knowledge deter you from trying to extract the best price.
Local traders expect it. Indeed, haggling is part of the very culture in the Arab world, not least in a tourist city as popular as Marrakech. Okay, so you've spotted a beautiful hand-crafted item that you simply must take home as a 'look where I've been' brag item to decorate your lounge; here's how to barter in Marrakech:
- Take a stroll around the shop/market and see what the general asking price is for similar items . you'll probably find (by asking - items are rarely priced) that things cost pretty much the same but it's good to know.