Two things worry first-time visitors to Morocco more than almost anything else: bargaining in the souks and knowing how much to tip. Nobody wants to pay three times the price for a rug, and nobody wants to offend a guide or a waiter by leaving too little, or too much.
The good news is that both are easy once you understand how they work. This guide explains, step by step, how bargaining really works in Moroccan markets, where prices are fixed, the phrases that help, and a clear table of how much to tip in every situation, from cafés to camel handlers.
Why bargaining is part of Moroccan life
In the medinas of Marrakech, Fes and other cities, most items in the souks have no price tag. The price is a conversation between the seller and the buyer. For Moroccans this is normal and even enjoyable: it is a moment of exchange, humour and respect, often over a glass of mint tea.
Bargaining is not about winning or about getting the lowest price possible. The aim is to reach a price that you are happy to pay and that the seller is happy to accept. A friendly negotiation leaves everyone smiling.
Where you bargain, and where you don't
| You can bargain | Prices are usually fixed |
|---|---|
| Souks and medina shops (rugs, leather, lamps, ceramics, jewellery, spices, clothes) | Restaurants and cafés with a menu |
| Street stalls and markets | Supermarkets, pharmacies and modern shops |
| Fossil and mineral shops in the south | Government craft centres (Ensemble Artisanal), with labelled prices |
| Some taxi fares agreed before the ride, when the meter is not used | Museums, monuments and entrance tickets |
| Some services offered in the street | Train and bus tickets |
Tip
Before you go shopping in the souks, visit a fixed-price shop or craft centre to see the normal price of things you like. It gives you a reference for your negotiation.
How to bargain, step by step
- Only start if you are interested. Asking the price is the beginning of a negotiation. If you just want to look, say so with a smile.
- Decide your price first. Before you ask, decide in your head what the item is worth to you. That is your limit.
- Let the seller give the first price. Ask "How much?" and listen.
- Make your first offer. In tourist areas, the first price can be high. A common approach is to offer around a third to a half of the first price, then move up slowly. There is no fixed rule: it depends on the item and the shop.
- Stay friendly and patient. Smile, joke, accept the tea if offered. Negotiation is a social moment, not a fight.
- Move in small steps. Each time the seller comes down, go up a little. You will usually meet somewhere in the middle.
- Use the walk-away. If the price is still too high, thank the seller and leave politely. Often the seller will call you back with a better price. If not, it was simply too low for them.
- Once you agree, buy. Agreeing on a price and then refusing to buy is considered very rude.
Things that help
- Carry cash in small notes. Saying "I only have 200 dirhams" is easier when it is true. Many small shops do not take cards.
- Buy several things in one shop. You get a better total price than buying one item at a time.
- Don't show too much enthusiasm. If you fall in love with a rug, the seller will notice.
- Shop at the end of your trip. By then you know the prices better and have less to carry.
Useful phrases in Darija
A few words in Moroccan Arabic (Darija) always bring a smile and often a better price:
| Darija | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Salam | Hello |
| Bshhal? | How much? |
| Ghali bzaf! | Too expensive! |
| Shwiya | A little (a little less, please) |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| La, shukran | No, thank you |
| Safi | OK / enough / deal |
| Tanmirt | Thank you (in Amazigh, appreciated in the Atlas and the south) |
French is also widely spoken in shops, and in tourist areas many sellers speak English, Spanish and Italian.
Tipping in Morocco: the basics
Tipping (called pourboire in French) is a normal part of daily life in Morocco. Salaries in tourism and services are often modest, and tips are an important part of income for many waiters, drivers, guides and camp staff.
A tip is never mandatory. It is a way to say thank you for good service. If the service was poor, you can leave less or nothing. Always tip in dirhams, preferably in coins and small notes, since euro coins cannot be exchanged.
How much to tip: a practical guide
These amounts are a general guide. As a rough reference, 10 dirhams is about one euro.
| Situation | Usual tip |
|---|---|
| Café (coffee, mint tea) | Round up, or 2–5 MAD |
| Restaurant | Around 10% of the bill, if service is not included |
| Porter at a hotel or riad | 10–20 MAD per bag |
| Housekeeping in a hotel or riad | 10–20 MAD per night, left at the end of the stay |
| Petit taxi | Round up to the nearest 5 or 10 MAD |
| Public toilet attendant | 2–5 MAD |
| Parking guardian | 5–10 MAD |
| Photo with performers in Jemaa el-Fna | Agree before you take the photo, usually 10–20 MAD |
| Hammam attendant | 20–50 MAD |
| Local city guide (half day) | 50–100 MAD per group |
| Local city guide (full day) | 100–200 MAD per group |
| Camel handler in the desert | 30–50 MAD per person or per camel |
| Desert camp staff | 50–100 MAD for the group, often left in a common tip box |
| Private driver on a multi-day tour | Around 100–150 MAD per day for the group |
When to tip on a private tour
For your driver and guide on a multi-day tour, it is normal to give the tip at the end of the trip, in one envelope, rather than every day. Adjust the amount to the size of your group and how happy you were with the service.
Avoiding common tricks in the souks
Morocco is a welcoming country and most sellers are honest. But in busy tourist areas, a few classic tricks exist. Knowing them is enough to avoid them.
- "The tannery is closed today, follow me." Someone offers to show you the way, then asks for money or takes you to a shop. Politely say "La, shukran" and use a map, or go with your own guide.
- "It's a special Berber market, only today." A friendly stranger tells you about a unique event. It is usually a shop.
- Henna in the square. A woman takes your hand and starts drawing before you agree, then asks for a high price. Keep your hands to yourself if you are not interested, or agree on the price first.
- Prices "per gram" or "per piece". For spices, argan oil or silver, make sure you understand if the price is for the whole item or per unit.
- Shipping a rug home. Shipping is possible, but always get a written receipt with the description, price and shipping details.
A good guide should never pressure you to buy. If you visit a cooperative or workshop with a guide, enjoy the demonstration, ask questions, and buy only if you really want to. For more practical advice, read Is it safe to travel to Morocco?.
What is worth buying in Morocco
- Rugs and carpets from the Atlas and the Middle Atlas, each one handmade and unique
- Leather from the tanneries of Fes and Marrakech: bags, babouche slippers, jackets
- Argan oil, best bought from women's cooperatives in the south
- Ceramics from Fes and Safi, with their blue and colourful patterns
- Lamps and lanterns in brass and iron
- Spices: ras el hanout, saffron, cumin, paprika
- Fossil decor from the Erfoud region, near Merzouga. Read our guide Moroccan fossil decor: what it is, how it is made and why it is unique
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude not to bargain in Morocco?
No. If the price seems fair to you, you can simply pay it. But in the souks, sellers expect a little negotiation, and many enjoy it.
How much lower than the first price should I pay?
There is no fixed rule. In tourist areas, the first price is often high, and the final price can be well below it. Decide what the item is worth to you and negotiate towards that number.
Can I pay by card in the souks?
Larger shops sometimes accept cards, but most small shops and stalls only take cash. Bring dirhams in small notes. ATMs are easy to find in cities.
Should I tip in euros or dirhams?
Always in dirhams if possible. Euro coins cannot be exchanged in Morocco, so they are not useful to the person who receives them.
Is a tip included in restaurant bills?
Sometimes a service charge is included in higher-end restaurants. Check the bill. If it is not, around 10% is a normal tip for good service.
How much should I tip my driver and guide on a desert tour?
As a general guide, around 100 to 150 dirhams per day for the group for the driver, given at the end of the trip. For a local guide in a city, 100 to 200 dirhams for a full day. It always depends on your group size and your satisfaction.
Keep reading: How much does a trip to Morocco cost? · Moroccan food: dishes to try on your trip · What to wear in Morocco