Souk El Had is Agadir’s main market and one of the largest souks in Morocco, with thousands of stalls selling spices, fruit, argan oil, leather, ceramics, clothes and crafts. It is open every day except Monday, usually from about 8 am to 7 or 8 pm, and entrance is free. Plan 2 to 3 hours, bring cash and be ready to bargain with a smile. This guide tells you how to make the most of your visit.
Souk El Had at a glance
- Opening days: Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Mondays
- Opening hours: roughly 8 am to 7 or 8 pm (many stalls open from 9 or 10 am)
- Busiest day: Sunday (“had” means Sunday in Arabic, the traditional market day)
- Size: more than 6,000 stalls inside high walls with several gates
- Entrance: free
- Location: Avenue Abderrahim Bouabid, about 10 to 15 minutes by taxi from the beach
How to get to Souk El Had
The souk is in the city centre, a little inland from the seafront. From the hotel zone, an orange petit taxi takes about 10 to 15 minutes and should cost only a few euros on the meter. You can also walk from the city centre in about 30 minutes. If you prefer a guide, Souk El Had is included in our guided city tour (from €15) and our cable car and city tour.
What to buy at Souk El Had
| Product | Typical price range | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Spices (cumin, ras el hanout, saffron) | From a few euros per 100 g | Real saffron is expensive; very cheap “saffron” is often fake |
| Argan oil (cosmetic or culinary) | About €8 to €20 for 100 ml | Buy from a cooperative or a trusted shop; check the label and smell |
| Leather slippers (babouches) | About €8 to €20 | Check the stitching and the sole |
| Ceramics and tajine dishes | From about €5 | Decorative tajines are not always safe for cooking |
| Dates, dried fruit and nuts | Sold by the kilo | Ask to taste before buying |
| Berber rugs and blankets | Very variable | Take your time; never feel obliged to buy |
| Fresh fruit and vegetables | Very cheap | Great for a picnic or your apartment |
Prices are indicative and depend on quality and your bargaining.
How to bargain politely
Bargaining is normal in the souk and part of the experience. Here is how locals do it:
- Look around first: visit a few stalls to get an idea of prices before you buy.
- Ask the price, then smile: the first price is usually high for tourists.
- Offer about half: then move up slowly. A fair final price is often 30 to 50% below the first offer.
- Stay friendly: humour helps. If the price is not right, say thank you and walk away; the seller may call you back.
- Only bargain if you want to buy: once you agree a price, it is polite to buy.
Fixed-price items such as fruit, vegetables and spices by weight are usually not bargained much.
The different areas of the souk
- Fruit, vegetables and spices: colourful, lively and great for photos (ask first).
- Crafts and souvenirs: lamps, leather, ceramics, jewellery and wooden boxes.
- Clothes and fabrics: djellabas, kaftans, scarves and traditional fabrics.
- Household goods and electronics: where locals do their everyday shopping.
- Small restaurants and stalls: fresh orange juice, msemen pancakes and grilled food.
Tips for visiting Souk El Had
- Go in the morning: it is cooler and calmer, and the fruit is at its freshest.
- Avoid Monday: the souk is closed.
- Bring cash in small notes: most stalls do not accept cards. There are ATMs nearby.
- Watch your bag: the market is safe, but pickpockets like crowds. See our Agadir safety guide.
- Remember your gate: the souk has several entrances; note the number of the gate where you came in.
- Ask before photos: many sellers are happy to be photographed if you ask, but some prefer not.
- Ignore unofficial guides: you do not need one inside the souk; just explore.
Souk El Had or the souks of Marrakech?
Souk El Had is more relaxed and less touristy than the souks of Marrakech, with lower prices and less pressure. Marrakech’s medina is bigger, older and more spectacular, but also busier. If you want both experiences, combine a morning at Souk El Had with a Marrakech day trip, and read our guide Agadir to Marrakech: is it worth it? The medina of Essaouira is another calm alternative, see our Essaouira day trip guide.
Where to buy real argan oil
Argan oil is the most popular souvenir from the Agadir region, because the argan tree grows only in south-west Morocco. For the best quality, buy from a women’s cooperative, where you can see how the oil is made by hand. Several of our tours stop at a cooperative, including the tree-climbing goats tour and the Essaouira day trip. Learn more in our guide to the tree-climbing goats and the argan forest.
A short history of Souk El Had
For centuries, farmers and traders from the Souss valley came to Agadir on Sunday to sell their produce, which gave the market its name. After the 1960 earthquake, the city was rebuilt and the souk was later reorganised inside high walls with numbered gates. It is still a very local market: most customers are families from Agadir doing their weekly shopping, which is what makes it so authentic.
What to eat at the souk
- Fresh orange or avocado juice: cheap and delicious at the fruit stalls.
- Msemen and harcha: Moroccan pancakes, perfect with honey or amlou.
- Olives and pickles: dozens of varieties sold by weight.
- Dates and dried figs: great snacks for your day trips.
Small food stalls are generally safe, but choose busy ones where food is cooked fresh in front of you.
What else to do nearby
After the souk, go up to the old kasbah of Agadir Oufella for the view, walk along the seafront promenade, or relax in a traditional hammam (see our hammam guide). For a full plan, follow our 3-day Agadir itinerary or browse the best things to do in Agadir.
More travel guides
- Hammam in Agadir: What to Expect, Prices and Etiquette
- Tree-Climbing Goats in Morocco: Where to See Them from Agadir
- Is Agadir Safe for Tourists? Honest Advice from Locals (2026)
- 3 Days in Agadir: The Perfect Itinerary (2026)
- Agadir to Marrakech Day Trip: Is It Worth It?
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours of Souk El Had in Agadir?
Souk El Had is open from Tuesday to Sunday, roughly from 8 am to 7 or 8 pm. It is closed on Mondays.
Is Souk El Had open on Monday?
No. Souk El Had is closed on Mondays. Sunday is the busiest day.
Do you have to bargain at Souk El Had?
Bargaining is normal for crafts, leather and souvenirs. Fruit, vegetables and spices sold by weight have more fixed prices.
Can you pay by card at Souk El Had?
Most stalls only accept cash. Bring small notes in dirhams; there are ATMs near the souk.
How long should I spend at Souk El Had?
Two to three hours is enough to explore the main areas, shop and have a fresh orange juice.
Written by the YouTours team in Agadir. Last updated: October 2026.