Visit a spice market in Marrakech

“The first time I wandered into the spice souk in Marrakech, I was completely overwhelmed by the explosion of colours and aromas. Stalls were stacked high with pyramids of saffron, turmeric, paprika, and blends I couldn’t even recognise. The scent of cumin hung in the air, while vendors invited me to try mysterious powders they claimed would cure everything from a cold to a broken heart. On my first visit to Marrakech I was suffering from a nasty cold and, during a food tour, the guide took me into one of the shops in the souk, where the vendor made me a little pouch for “breathing”. He mixed nigella seeds with peppermint crystals, which, when inhaled, could open even the most congested blocked nose.”

“Honestly? We almost bailed after five minutes. The sellers here are pushy—way more than in other Marrakech souks. Ale felt uncomfortable, and for a second, the thought of a chill rooftop cafe was pretty appealing. But, if you keep your wits (and your wallet) about you, and fake confidence even if you’re directionally hopeless, the Spices Souk rewards you with genuine moments. We found the Spices souk less polished, more “lived-in”. I will say authentic. Unlike Medina, there’s no tourist security blanket here. We clung to our cameras and dove deeper, following pyramids of saffron, cumin, and neon-hued dyes.”

“I cannot even describe the mixture of smells wafting around us in the Medina. Incense burning, spices being ground, food cooking, smelly trash, exhaust from motorbikes, donkey poop … the list goes on. We stood in the spice shop for 20 minutes or so while the owner made various concoctions of herbs and spices for us to try. He put a mixture of them in a piece of white gauze, crushed it with the palm of his hand, and then held the ball to each of our nostrils to sniff. Wow! Our sinus passages were instantly cleared. I didn’t even realize my nose were clogged.”