6 Most common Moroccan terms

To answer that question, we must first clarify exactly what a ‘souk’ is. 

‘Souk’ is the Arabic name for a covered market where numerous shops and workshops are gathered. In villages and major cities in North Africa, the Middle East and several Asian countries, large hordes of people gather here to shop. You can find everything you could be looking for in the souk: from clothes, shoes and jewellery to spices, vegetables, fruit and traditional products. 

In Morocco, the souks are labyrinthine mazes of narrow alleyways, where eager traders offer the finest handmade products: from colourful carpets to refined pottery, from artisan leather to top-quality Argan oil. 

The souks in Tangier, Marrakech, Fez and Rabat spark a mystical atmosphere and add to the magic of Morocco. I myself can get lost for hours in the maze of alleys and marvel at all the beauty I keep discovering. Still, it is no easy feat to dive into the Moroccan souks on your first trip to Morocco. So head out with an experienced guide, who will not only take you to the most special places in the maze of alleyways, but also provide you with a hassle-free experience, free of intimidation from the often pushy vendors. 

During our day trips and multi-day tours, you’ll have a chance to discover the souks with fresh-eyes. 

If you are travelling to Marrakech or Fez soon, then friends before you probably already gave you the tip to stay in a riad. 

Originally, a riad was a Moroccan mansion with an inner garden (atrium), often marked by a fountain in the centre of the open courtyard. Riads are often found in the old Moroccan medinas and were inhabited by wealthy citizens. 

In metropolises Marrakech, Fez and Rabat, many traditional riads have been converted into charming boutique hotels. These special accommodations are an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy medinas. If you are visiting one of the four royal cities soon, consider staying in a riad: that way you will enjoy traditional Moroccan architecture and Moroccan hospitality! 

TIP: Choosing the Riad that suits you and your budget can be quite a challenge. After all, there are endless options and researching the best accommodation can be very time-consuming. Besides, a lot of Riads in the imperial cities are run by foreigners, which unfortunately means that your stay here does not contribute to the local economy. at Tangier Private Tours, we think it is important to support the right people and find accommodation that really suits your travel dreams. Contact us and we will suggest the right riads that will take your trip through Morocco to the next level! 

If you are considering a city trip to Marrakech and looking for the city’s main attractions, you are bound to have come across ‘Madrassa Ben Youssef’. This former Koranic school is a must visit during your stay in the city. 

The translation of the Arabic word ‘madrassa’ is ‘school’, but in the Islamic world, the word madrassa mainly stands for an educational institution that focuses on religious education. Students (of all ages) study the Quran there, as well as the Hadith (the life of Prophet Muhammad, his actions and sayings), Islamic law (fiqh) and Islamic sciences. 

Many madrassas in the Arab world have played an important role in training famous Islamic scholars and philosophers. 

Today, madrassas in Morocco, with Madrassa Ben Youssef (Marrakech) and Madrassa Bou Inania (Fez) in particular, are visited by travellers from all over the world not only for their historical importance, but also for their outstanding architecture. 

In the medinas of Morocco, you will find buildings with the word ‘hammam’ written on them every so often. Anyone who has visited Morocco before will be able to confirm that in the narrow alleyways you will even occasionally be accosted and invited to visit a hammam. 

The hammam is a traditional bathhouse and plays an important role in Moroccan culture. Locals follow a structured cleansing process during their visit to the hammam. First the skin is thoroughly scrubbed with a rough glove, then savon beldi (Moroccan black soap) is applied before rinsing the body with warm water. 

The hammam is also an important meeting place for many Moroccans. Moroccan women often go to the hammam with friends or family for relaxation. Many locals visit the hammam on Thursdays to be completely clean for the important Friday prayers at the mosque. 

Today, many tourist hammams are operated, where you can soak up the atmosphere of Moroccan bathhouse culture, but in a luxurious setting. You will be welcomed in the setting of an often beautiful riad with a glass of fresh mint tea and completely unwind during a private hammam experience (often with an accompanying massage). 

TIP: As locals in Morocco, we know where to find the best hammams. Contact us for the best advice on bathhouses in Morocco. 

Madrassas, souks, riads and hammams; they can all be found in the medina, or the historical centre of a Moroccan city. In Morocco, the word medina is used to denote the old part of the city, which is often hundreds, or sometimes thousands, of years old. Moroccan medinas house numerous architectural gems, including grandiose palaces, colourful mosques and centuries-old madrassas. In addition, a medina is characterised by narrow mysterious streets with high walls and lively souks where you can find handicrafts. 

A visit to the medinas of Marrakech and Fez, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, should not be missed on your tour of Morocco. You can spend hours wandering around the maze-like alleys, where you will want to take a photo of unusual scenes you encounter every so often. 

A kasbah is a special type of fortress or fortified settlement whose function is to protect the town and the local community. Originally, Moroccan kasbahs served as the residence of the sultan or ruler and were an important symbol of power. In addition, the kasbah also acted as an administrative centre and provided shelter to the local community during invasions or wars. Several kasbahs (or parts of the original kasbah) can still be found scattered across Morocco. Among them, you can visit the Kasbah of Tangier or the beautiful Kasbah of the Oudayas overlooking the sea in Rabat. 

In southern Morocco, the word kasbah is also used to refer to traditional settlements, often built of mud, recognisable by the four (lookout) towers, which also served as defensive structures. Those travelling through southern Morocco often pass by the route of a thousand kasbahs. You can enjoy views of lush palm groves on this road where you can spot numerous hidden kasbahs. 

The most famous kasbah in Morocco, is that of Aït Ben Haddou, although the word kasbah is used incorrectly here today.  A kasbah denotes one fortified settlement, so in southern Morocco this is one house (or say palace) with watchtowers, while a ksar denotes a fully fortified village built from several mud kasbahs. So the correct name is the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, which is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.