The souks

The term used to describe souks is not always used in its proper definition. A souk is a market where you will find all the products needed for daily life, from clothing to fruits and vegetables. Over time, the term souk has drifted, and in Western language its use now refers to a bazaar. The traditional markets of the old city of Fez are unmissable tourist spots during your visit to fes el bali. These are places full of life, where scents and flavors intertwine, and the bustle of the merchants is quite a spectacle. You will easily find photographic angles to capture at any of the souks scattered across the four corners of this ancient city.

The markets of the old city of Fez

The markets of the old medina are open every day of the week, except on Friday when activity is reduced. These markets are places of life for Moroccans and places of discovery for tourists. Remember to bring your camera when leaving the riad, because you’ll be surprised by these displays of fruits, vegetables, meats, spices, and fish. Trade within this medina is simply extraordinary — forget supermarkets with their shelves full of canned goods, and come enjoy the connection with the merchant and the quality of their products. There are several souks in the old city of Fez:

The market of the Andalusian quarter

The closest market to Riad Jamaï is the one in the Andalusian quarter. Turn right as you leave the riad, enter the souk, and discover a surprising world rich in encounters. Far from the plush, comfortable, and clean setting of the riads, you will discover the other side of the scene and the true value of your visit to this medina. These souks are a real tourist attraction, but they also represent the daily life of the people of Fez.

The souk of R’cif square, one of the finest in the Fez medina

The favorite of the Riad in fez team is the market found at R’cif square, located a 15-minute walk down the alleys of the medina. It is a market that stretches along the square, with colors and scents that will give you the true pleasure of being in Fez, Morocco. This market is mainly a food market, offering all the ingredients for good Moroccan cooking. The merchants sell fish, meats such as beef, chicken, lamb, preserved meat, and of course fruits and vegetables.

Boujloud quarter and its traditional souk

On the other side of the city, you will find an equally pleasant market, the Boujloud souk. It is located along the square and beside the Boujloud gate, and it offers the same features as the Andalusian quarter market and the R’cif square market.

The henna souk of the old city

The henna souk is a place well worth the detour; this small, very pleasant square with its trees gives a different image compared to the other souks. You’ll be reminded of markets in the south of France, but you’re indeed in Morocco, in Fez — guaranteed photo opportunity. This souk is one of the oldest markets in the medina; years ago there was a hospital on this site, next to which henna and pharmaceutical products have been sold for centuries. Over time, the products found at the El Henna souk have evolved, with certain pottery items now filling the merchants’ stalls. This is a souk that Riad Jamaï recommends for buying cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, as well as black soap, for example.

The other squares of the Fez medina

Other souks worth seeing are those of the craftsmen; you’ll find the must-see spots for coppersmiths (link), weavers (link), and leather (link) to do your shopping. For example, the Attarine souk is a market for spices, perfume, cosmetic products, nougat, and dried fruits. Walk through these well-kept commercial alleyways, admiring the beauty of the displayed stalls.

Serrajine and Haïk, fabrics and slippers

The Serrajine souk and the Haïk souk are souks with different types of shops; it’s a structured market with shops resembling Western shopping arcades while still keeping the Moroccan spirit. Here you’ll find caftans, babouches (traditional slippers), wedding dresses, and djellabas.

Tillisse and Mejjadliène souks of Fez

To finish with the different markets worth appreciating: the Tillisse souk, specializing in carpets, the Mejjadliène souk, specializing in traditional belts, the Jeld souk, specializing in leather, and the Marqtane or Laghzal souk, specializing in wool and various bazaar goods.

What can you find in a souk in Morocco?

In the medina, through its various souks, you will find all the products needed for daily life. If you’re looking for even the most unusual item, rest assured — this old city of Fez and its various souks will hold the souvenir you’re looking for. Merchants are grouped by trade and type of product; for example, walking down from Riad Jamaï, you’ll see several shop windows with jewelry: Hand of Fatima, silver necklaces, bracelets, or traditional wedding belts. Another interesting example: you’ll find traditional pharmacies with herbs, spices, and toads to concoct potions useful for your healing. For the young people of Fez in the medina, merchants now also offer products such as jogging pants, American brand sneakers, and other trendy clothing.

As you will have understood, this old city of Fez is Ali Baba’s cave — it has kept its lifestyle and consumption habits. It’s a real pleasure to stroll through these alleys full of joy, anecdotes, music, scents, and exchanges.