Dyers' Souk: dyed wool and silk in the Marrakech medina

Updated on October 8, 2026

The dyers' souk (souk Sebbaghine) is a narrow lane of the medina, near the Mouassine mosque, where skeins of freshly dyed wool and silk hang to dry above passers-by's heads. Orange, saffron, indigo, red: the colours are one of the best-known images of Marrakech. Dyers still work here in small workshops, and the neighbouring shops sell wool, silk, thread for weaving or embroidery, rugs and pigments. Entry is free; the place is small, and most people stop for about half an hour.

Highlights

Skeins drying overhead

Wool and silk threads are hung on poles above the lane. The sight is best in the morning, when the dyers put out their work. If you want to photograph a person, ask first: some craftsmen refuse, others ask for a small tip.

Pigments and dyes

Some stalls sell powder or stone colourants, used for dyeing and painting. If you buy, ask what the product contains and do not expect food or cosmetic quality unless the seller says so explicitly. For other natural products, see the herbalists of the spice square in our Marrakech souks.

Practical info

Tips

Wool and silk straight from the dye baths are sold by the piece or by weight; prices are not displayed, so compare before buying, and buy only what you want to take home. Self-appointed guides sometimes steer you to "the dyers' souk" to earn a commission from a nearby shop: the simplest approach is to follow the street to the Mouassine mosque with an offline map. See also how craftwork is made in our Marrakech artisans, and our advice on scams to avoid.

How to get there

Dyers' souk (souk Sebbaghine), medina, near the Mouassine mosque, north-west of Jemaa el-Fna square. On foot: allow 15 to 20 minutes from Jemaa el-Fna through the souks; the area combines well with the Mouassine museum. Taxi: no taxis in the medina; get off near Jemaa el-Fna and walk.