Spice Square (Rahba Kedima), Marrakech: spices, baskets and the carpet auction

Updated on October 2, 2026

Rahba Kedima, the "old square", is one of the few open squares in the heart of the Marrakech souks, about 400 m north of Jemaa el-Fna square. Visitors call it Spice Square: its herbalists' stalls sell spices, medicinal plants, black soap and kohl, between stands of woven baskets, straw hats and knitted caps. For centuries, auctions were held here on fixed days for wool, carpets, weapons and, until the early 20th century, slaves. Today the square is a landmark and a place to pause in the middle of the covered lanes: several cafés and restaurants have upstairs terraces overlooking the stalls and the rooftops of the medina. To the north-east, the Criée Berbère, the carpet souk, keeps the auction tradition alive in the late afternoon.

Highlights

Baskets and hats

The middle of the square is taken up by traders sitting on the ground or under parasols. They sell palm-leaf baskets and totes, straw hats, bowls and colourful table mats. It is one of the cheapest places in the medina for these light objects, which are easy to take home.

The herbalists

Around the square, the "attarine" shops line up jars and sacks of spices: cumin, paprika, turmeric, ras el-hanout. They also sell traditional remedies: dried plants, black soap, ghassoul clay, alum stone, kohl and incense. Some sellers offer a demonstration before pushing for a sale: listen, smell, then decide without feeling obliged.

The square at the end of the day

As the sun goes down, the low light falls on the ochre façades and the stalls are packed up little by little. The terraces of the cafés around the square, especially the one at Café des Épices, open every day from 9am to 11pm, let you watch the bustle from above over a mint tea.

The Criée Berbère

North-east of the square, a lane leads to the carpet souk, known as the Criée Berbère. Wholesale merchants used to buy the carpets brought in by mountain families at auctions run by a crier. Carpet shops are plentiful; the auctions, when they take place, are held in the late afternoon, after the asr prayer, and are between professionals.

Infos pratiques

Tips

For spices, ask for a sealed or vacuum-packed bag, easier in a suitcase, and be wary of saffron sold by weight at a low price, often replaced by safflower. Prices seen in October 2026: about 30 to 80 DH per 100 g of common spices, after haggling. Herbalists who invite you to "visit the Berber pharmacy" often charge a lot for a demonstration: you can politely decline. Ask before photographing a seller or their stall.

How to get there

Marrakech medina, in the heart of the souks. On foot from Jemaa el-Fna square: walk north up Souk Semmarine, then turn right where the street forks, about 10 minutes' walk. Cars cannot enter the souks; taxis drop you at the edge of Jemaa el-Fna square.