Shopping
Souk El Had Agadir: Shop the Market with a Local Guide
Souk El Had takes up a whole block of Agadir and runs to hundreds of stalls, so the first ten minutes are disorienting if you have not been before. A local guide walks you through the main sections and tells you what things should cost before you start haggling.
- Duration
- Half day
- Languages
- English / French
- Getting there
- Hotel pickup
- Group size
- Up to 30 people
The experience
About this trip
Souk El Had is the main market in Agadir and one of the biggest in Africa. Spices, argan oil, leather, pottery, clothes, tagines, jewellery and a whole hall of fresh produce sit under one roof, most of it aimed at people who live here rather than at visitors. That is the appeal. It is a working market, not a staged one.
The guide meets you by the market, then takes you through the busiest sections and explains how the place is laid out, which is not obvious from the outside. You will also get a straight answer on bargaining. It is expected here, not rude, and knowing roughly what a fair price looks like saves you both money and awkwardness.
After the orientation you have free time to shop on your own, with the guide nearby if you need help with a price or cannot find your way back out. Bring cash, since the stalls do not take cards.
Why this one
Highlights
- Spend the morning in Souk El Had, one of Africa's biggest markets
- Get walked through the layout before you are let loose
- Learn how bargaining works here, and what a fair price looks like
- Browse spices, argan oil, leather, pottery and handicrafts
- Shop in a market that locals use every week
- Several departure times across the day, so you can pick your slot
Your day
How the day runs
Meeting at the souk
We meet you by Souk El Had. Ask us about a hotel transfer if you would rather not make your own way there.
Guided orientation
Your guide takes you along the main aisles, explains how the sections are arranged and introduces a few vendors the guide knows.
Your own time to shop
Wander, compare prices and haggle on your own. The guide stays close by if you need a hand.
Back to your hotel
We meet back at the agreed spot and drop you at your hotel.
What is included
- Pick-up and drop-off at the meeting point near Souk El Had, Agadir
- Air-conditioned transport to the market
- Guided walk through Souk El Had
What to bring
- Shoes you can walk a market in
- Sun cream and sunglasses
- A phone or a camera
- Cash, because almost no stall takes a card
- A bag you can carry your buys in
Know before you go
- The souk shuts on Mondays and we do not run the tour that day.
- Bring enough dirhams. Cards are accepted almost nowhere inside.
- Haggling is normal here and nobody will be offended.
- Most of the market is under cover, but it still gets warm in the middle of the day.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is Souk El Had known for?
It is the main market in Agadir and one of the largest in Africa. Hundreds of stalls sell spices, food, leather, pottery, clothing, argan products and handicrafts, and it is a working market rather than a tourist one.
What days is Souk El Had open?
Every day except Monday. We do not run the tour on Mondays either.
Do I have to bargain at Souk El Had?
You are expected to. The guide will show you how it works. A safe starting point is about half the first price, then work up from there.
Can I use a card at Souk El Had?
Almost nowhere inside. Bring enough Moroccan dirhams (MAD) to cover what you plan to buy.
What should I buy at Souk El Had?
Spices, argan oil and cosmetics, leather, pottery, tagines, carpets, clothes, jewellery and fresh produce, plus plenty more. It is a general market, so expect everything.
How much of the tour is guided?
It is split. The guide takes you round first and talks you through the layout and the bargaining, then you get free time to shop alone.
Ready when you are
Book Souk El Had Agadir: Shop the Market with a Local Guide
Pick your date above and we will confirm by email. Free cancellation, pay at pickup, instant confirmation.