Recently updated on June 27th, 2025 at 04:37 pm
There’s no avoiding it; if you want to pick up a souvenir in one of Morocco’s souks, you’re going to have to haggle for it. But, there’s no need for trepidation. Take the light-hearted approach and savour the transaction as a travel experience that uncovers another side to Morocco.
Within the chaotic alleys of the Medina, embroidered shawls hang alongside leather slippers, by towering piles of baskets and a treasure trove of ornate beads, which in turn sit next to pyramids of rich spices and olives. As snake charmers, magicians and vendors all vie for attention, navigate your way through the throng while soaking up the sights and sounds around you.
“People love the colours and exotic flavours that surround them in the souks,” says Travel Director and Morocco expert Jason Simpson, “as well as the level of craftsmanship and the fact they are stepping into a world so different to what they can find back home. Haggling in the souks of Morocco is a true attack on the senses and a highlight of many people’s trips.”
Perhaps the best start a traveller can get is to take the time to explore the souk and decide what they want to buy first. If a taxi driver leads a tourist to a vendor, the price will almost certainly be higher.
From this point forward, Jason follows a three-step haggling process, the first of which is in the meeting. “Haggling in Morocco is not optional, it is expected,” Jason says, “Doing business in the souks is not just about trading, it’s about the entire experience. It’s about the rapid creation of a new relationship between vendor and customer. This normally starts with the question ‘Where are you from’, then progresses from there.”
The second step is to interact and haggle fairly. Jason explains: “Haggling is about sharing life experiences. Sometimes you will even be offered a seat to share some Moroccan mint tea. Time seems to pass so quickly, often you forget what it was you originally wanted.”
While haggling tips can vary, the most common piece of advice is to have a sense of humour, while another is to always begin negotiations low; “When it comes to haggling, I teach the rule of fifths,” Jason says, “When the vendor says how much an item costs, I always counter-offer one fifth of the original price. This will follow with some theatrics from the vendor as if he cannot believe you would offer a price so low. But, giving a low price just proves to him that you understand the process, and that the game can begin. You’ll spend the next few minutes swapping stories while he explains the quality of his goods and you continue to haggle. If you manage to get the final price to half of what he originally offered, you have done very well.”
Ultimately, once you’re happy with the price agreed, you know it’s the right time to buy, which is advice Jason reaffirms. “I always tell people that an item’s worth should be based not only on its monetary value,” he says, “but instead on what you’re happy to pay for it.”
The final step in the haggling process is to make sure you depart as friends, even if you didn’t agree on a price. “Always thank the vendor for the experience and depart smiling,” Jason advises, “Moroccans are incredibly hospitable and have a high respect for foreigners.”
As for choosing what to buy, Moroccan mint tea, with the traditional teapot and glasses, and spices such as paprika, saffron and pepper are especially popular items. But with intricately woven carpets, colourful textiles and uniquely Moroccan leather goods, perhaps the greatest challenge on your visit to the Moroccan souks will be choosing what to take home.
Try out your haggling skills on a trip to Morocco with Trafalgar, such as the Best of Morocco itinerary.
Image credits: Cover image of a Souk in Marrakech © iStock. Colourful Moroccan leather slippers © iStock / Bartosz Hadyniak. The souks of Marrakech © iStock / Paviiha. Rolls of coloured embroidered material © iStock / Lukasz Janyst. Spices on sale in a souk © iStock / Jim Kirkby.