Traditional Moroccan Markets and a Donkey Parking Lot in Rissani

As we travelled through Morocco, we visited a variety of very different Moroccan markets. While most cater to tourists as well as locals, we found the more traditional Moroccan markets to be a window into everyday life. Our favourite was the traditional market in Rissani, an eastern Moroccan city situated at the base of the Sahara Desert, within 50 km of the border with Algeria.

With 675 stalls/shops, the Rissani market seemed endless.

Earlier, we had travelled by train from Fes to Marrakesh stopping in major cities along the way (Meknes, Rabat, and Casablanca). We found much of the areas in walking distance to the train stations catered to tourists. From Marrakesh, we rented a car and drove west to Essaouira, south along the Atlantic coast. Then, as we drove east to the Sahara desert, things changed, and tradition had a tighter hold.

If you are apprehensive about self-driving in Morocco, there are plenty of tours available in a variety of price ranges. We always prefer private tours, but know group tours are quite popular.

→ See Moroccan desert tour options at Viator 

or

→ Enjoy the Best of Morocco with Intrepid

As we approached the Sahara, we stopped in Rissani, the largest city near Erg Chebbi, the sand dunes of Merzouga and the largest sand desert in Morocco. Rissani’s traditional market is well known in the region and quite unlike the souqs, medinas, and other Moroccan markets we had visited in the bigger cities.

We could have visited the market on our own but opted to hire a registered guide so we could better understand what we saw. Of course, this meant we would be taken to a friend’s shop where our guide would most likely get a commission on any transaction we made.

Inside the Moroccan shop owned by the friend of our guide. Here we bought a traditional silver teapot. While we probably overpaid a bit by Moroccan standards, we were happy to walk away with a piece made with such expert craftsmanship.

Donkey Parking Lot

What made our guide so valuable to us was the details that he provided. In the photo, he is standing in front of the donkey parking lot, better seen in the next image.

This is the donkey parking lot. It’s where the people who travel to the market via donkey leave their animal tied up while they do their shopping.

We are noticed many people on bicycles. We were not surprised when we saw this “parking” area.

Moroccan Markets: Animals For Sale

The animal market (cattle, goats, sheep, but no camels as they are only sold in the desert) was completely new to us, and we probably stood and stared just a bit longer than we should have. We were taken here first, as it both opens and closes earlier than the main Moroccan market. Our guide worried that we wouldn’t see very many animals. And in fact, he told us the best had been picked and sold before we arrived.

Our girls looked on as a potential buyer inspected the animal.

For sale, this little goat is tied in place at the animal market.

Prices are not set but rather negotiated. Even without speaking the language, we could understand what was going on. Only the men participate in the negotiation.

Cows and calves are also for sale.

Moroccan Spices and Other Foods

Of all the Moroccan markets we encountered in the country the spice market is always my favourite. There is something alluring about the stacks of colourful powders, herbs, leaves, roots, and there is always at least one special Moroccan spice mix.

Other food for sale in the market that we noticed included fruit, vegetables, meat (including animal heads), chickens and rabbits (still alive), fish, herbs and dates.  There were also cafes and small family run restaurants.

Colourful and fragrant, the Moroccan spice market is always a highlight.

Moroccan Products and Other Goods

Aside from food and animals, there was a huge variety of items for sale. We saw few rugs shops like the one we visited, but we did see plenty of clothing (some commercially made, others sewn on the spot), utensils for kitchen or shaving, cosmetics, Moroccan jewelry, copper pots, tools, shoes, and traditional clothing. The Rissani market also has areas for carpentry and other commercial activities.

There is an area of the market dedicated to craftsmanship.

Our guide pointed out that the sole of this pair of shoes is made from an old tire. In fact, everything in this area is made from recycled goods. Without our guide, we would have missed it, or at least dismissed it as junk.

Practical Information on Visiting the Risanni Market

• The Risanni market is open all day on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, although the animal auctions and sales tend to happen early in the day.
• This is one of the traditional Moroccan markets that also attracts overseas travellers.
• Even before we had parked our car, several potential guides had targeted us. We chose one who spoke excellent English and had a very official looking licence hanging around his neck. He turned out to be a perfect choice, and we tipped him above what we had agreed upon as a price.
• A guide is not required, but we were glad to have had one.
• According to Wikipedia, the best souvenir to bring home from Rissani is “a plate made from palm tree paper by women in old ksour.”
• If you don’t have a car, you can get to Risanni via CTM bus, with one bus per day from Marrakech and two from Fes.

A Second Traditional Moroccan Market

As we continued driving, we turned off the main road and came upon another Moroccan market. This one was only for produce.

As we approached, this Moroccan market looked like nothing more than a gathering of people on the streets.

Some of the food was displayed on stands.

Many of the farmers laid blankets on the ground for their produce.

It was a busy market, and I believe we were the only non-locals in the area

Practical Information on Visiting the Region

• We toured Morocco on our own, hiring guides on the spot at destinations. For the most part, this worked out great for us. If you prefer to have a plan, and/or take a desert tour, be sure to check out Viator, a TripAdvisor company:

→ See Moroccan desert tour options at Viator. 

• If you are more of an intrepid traveller, we recently discovered the world’s largest small group travel company, aptly named, Intrepid. The Best of Morocco trip covers the same places we visited on our own, but without the DIY hassle.

→ Check prices and availability on the Best of Morocco Tour from Intrepid

• We stayed just outside Merzouga, at Kasbah Azalay. The proprietor and other staff members are warm, welcoming and helpful. They offered Sahara tours to interesting spots, dune bashing, sand skiing, and other options like overnight desert excursions. The food was outstanding, the toilets western, and the rooms comfortable and secure.

→ Check availability at Kasbah Azalay Merzouga

• If you prefer, there are four hotel options in Rissani.

→ Check availability at Hotels in Rissani

• Or, if neither of these options works for you, I am sure you can find something that meets your needs amongst the over 150 options in Merzouga.

→ Check availability in Merzouga

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Do you prefer tourist or traditional Moroccan markets?