Away With The Steiners

Ouarzazate Souk: Time Your Visit For the Weekly Ouarzazate Market.

Sarah Steiner

There are loads of interesting sights to see and things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco.  But without question, one of the highlights of this otherwise Hollywood of Africa is a visit to the very local and lively Ouarzazate souk.  

Souks are a regular and weekly occurrence all around Morocco.  Literally a marketplace or designated space for market trading and the sale of produce, goods and livestock.  As a visitor to Morocco a visit to any regional market is a unique way to gain insight into the day-to-day life and rural culture of Morocco. 

Ouarzazate souk is particularly large and bustling with an incredible sensation of colour, aromas and sounds. And if it is your first experience of a market in Morocco then the souk in Ouarzazate is a great choice as the region is a popular destination and provides a typical and traditional insight without need for straying too far off the beaten track. A win-win as far as any Moroccan market experience!  

Where is the Ouarzazate market? 

Ouarzazate souk is on the outskirts of the city.  

This is typical of a Moroccan souk as they were placed outside the city with space for camel caravans to unload and set up to sell their wares. (A pretty cool thought to add to your visit!). 

The market is listed on Google maps as: 

You will see the surrounding wall of the souk on approaching. 

Where is Ouarzazate souk? Visiting the weekly market is one of the best things to do in Ouarzazate, Morocco.
Ready for the Souk?

Which day is the weekly Ouarzazate souk? 

The weekly market in Ouarzazate is held every Sunday from 8am. 

And in the Ouarzazate region there are many other weekly markets held on different days of the week: 

The best time to visit the weekly Ouarzazate souk is mid-late morning when the market is bustling and at its best.  You don’t need to miss breakfast as the market does continue throughout the day.  But by the afternoon the fresh produce and livestock will be dwindling.   

Trading goats…
And chicks.
We bought two bunches from this friendly family of banana farmers.

About Ouarzazate Souk – the experience 

Ouarzazate is often known as a gateway to the Sahara Desert.  The city was historically a crossing-point for traders traveling from Sub-Saharan Africa through the Sahara Desert heading to northern Morocco. And thus the weekly Ouarzazate souk today is largely as it has been trading and operating for centuries. 

There is everything – quite literally as soon as you walk in the gate – from poultry to fresh produce, popcorn wafting and homewares for sale. There is all kinds of tools and machinery, second-hand goods and handwoven rugs and Moroccan style djellaba cloaks. It’s an assault on the senses in an exciting and vibrant way (especially for a Sunday morning!). 

Market scenes are busy ones on a Sunday morning in Morocco.

Cash or card? 

The entire market in Ouarzazate is cash only.  There is no ATM onsite or nearby the souk.  The closest ATMs are on the main highway in Ouarzazate. 

Does it feel safe? 

It absolutely feels safe walking around the weekly Ouarzazate market as a tourist.  People are friendly and proud of their wares and produce.  Make sure to ask before taking photos of people.  There are many tourist shops, restaurants, and accommodation in Ouarzazate and surrounding the marketplace area.  The town is a popular tourist destination in Morocco.  And so even the weekly Ouarzazate souk is used to tourists visiting.  

As with any souk in Morocco, do remember you are visiting a local market, and these people are here to sell and buy their local produce.

And absolutely make sure to visit. The weekly market is one of the best things to do in Ouarzazate! 

There is so much to see. Get amongst it and chat to the locals.

Getting to Ouarzazate 

Ouarzazate International Airport flies from several European/UK destinations and the airport is also served by domestic flights.

The bus from Marrakech to Ouarzazate takes around 4h 30 minutes (200km)  and departs every four hours. Check CTM, Supratours or ONCF website for departure times. The road is mountainous and beautiful.

It is possible to get to Ouarzazate from Marrakech by grand taxi for 100Dh (10 EUR) per place.

Self-navigating is easy from Marrakech to Ouarzazate.  The shortest road is the National N9 Highway with spectacular scenery up and over the mountain pass. 

Once in Ouarzazate, take the red taxis (petit taxi) which have a flat rate 10Dh (1 EUR) per person. 

Where to park for the Ouarzazate souk

There is plenty of guarded parking right outside Ouarzazate souk.  See the parking attendant in the bright high—vis vest for a space to park in exchange for a few dirhams. 

You can park over there by the hay-truck. (You won’t miss it!).

Enjoy Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate and the inland desert region is one of the most interesting places to visit in Morocco and should not be missed on any trip.  Enjoy all the great things to do in Ouarzazate and be sure to visit the weekly Ouarzazate souk.

What about other weekly markets in Morocco? 

We can’t rate the weekly markets in Morocco highly enough! It is a fascinating way to get a glimpse of traditional, rural and weekly life in Morocco. And obviously a good place to stock up on fruit and vegetables or souvenirs and handicrafts. 

There are weekly markets in Morocco that take place all over the country. Here are some more of our favourites: 

More for your travels in Morocco and beyond…

These are some of the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family (for five years now!) and the ones that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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