The markets of the Al Haouz region are where mountain families actually shop, trade and meet, and they run on a fixed weekly rhythm: Tuesday in Amizmiz, Wednesday in Tlat N'Yaaqoub, Thursday in Tizguine and Saturday in Asni. They are quite different from the souks of Marrakech. There are no tourist stalls here, just livestock, vegetables, spices, tools, clothes and the everyday life of the High Atlas foothills. We pair each market with a family lunch and a local visit, so you see the region through the people who live there.
Weekly market calendar
| Day | Market | What we add to the day |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Amizmiz | Market tour, lunch with a local family, pottery workshop, evening in Agafay |
| Wednesday | Tlat N'Yaaqoub | Market tour, lunch with a local family, visit to Tinmel |
| Thursday | Tizguine | Market tour, lunch with a local family, visit to an old Jewish village |
| Saturday | Asni | Market tour, lunch with a local family, visit to Tinmel (or lunch in Imlil followed by a tour) |
Market days are traditional and rarely change, but we always confirm the date with you when you book.
Tuesday: Amizmiz market, pottery and Agafay
Amizmiz is a market town about 60 km south of Marrakech, and its Tuesday souk draws farmers and traders from the surrounding valleys. We walk the market with a local guide, who explains what is sold, how bargaining works and who comes from where. After a home-cooked lunch with a local family, you visit a pottery workshop to watch artisans shape and decorate clay by hand. The day ends in Agafay, a stony desert landscape close to Marrakech, for an evening of open views and sunset light.
- Best for: travellers who want culture, craft and a relaxed evening outside the city.
Wednesday: Tlat N'Yaaqoub market and Tinmel
Tlat means Wednesday in Moroccan Arabic, and this market is the weekly heart of the town. We tour the stalls, then eat lunch with a local family. In the afternoon we visit Tinmel, a historic site in the High Atlas famous for its twelfth-century mosque, built by the Almohad dynasty, which is one of the few mosques in Morocco that people may visit in some conditions. Ask us about current visiting arrangements when you book.
- Best for: history lovers and travellers interested in Morocco's dynasties and mountain heritage.
Thursday: Tizguine market and an old Jewish village
The Tizguine market is quieter and less visited, which makes it a good choice if you want a very local atmosphere. After the market tour and lunch with a local family, we visit an old Jewish village, a reminder of the centuries when Jewish and Muslim Amazigh communities lived side by side in the Atlas valleys.
- Best for: travellers who want something off the usual tourist routes and are curious about the region's cultural history.
Saturday: Asni market, Tinmel or Imlil
Asni is the biggest and most accessible of these markets, on the road to Imlil and Toubkal National Park, and the Saturday souk is lively. After a tour of the market and lunch with a local family, you can choose between two options:
- Visit Tinmel in the afternoon.
- Have lunch in Imlil followed by a village tour at the trailhead for Toubkal.
Saturday is the easiest to combine with a hike. See our Imlil day hike and Berber family feast if you want a walk as well.
- Best for: first-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants the most active market day.
Tips for visiting the markets
- Go in the morning. Markets are busiest and most colourful from early to mid-morning.
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees covered is respectful and more comfortable.
- Ask before photographing people. Many stallholders and farmers prefer not to be photographed. A smile and a question help.
- Carry small notes and coins. Prices are low and change is not always available.
- Bargain politely. It is part of the culture, but do not push for tiny savings.
- Try the food. Fresh bread, olives, dates, almonds and tea are everywhere. Your guide will tell you what is safe and good.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The ground is dusty, uneven and sometimes muddy.
What a family lunch involves
Each market tour includes a meal in a local home, usually tajine or couscous, with bread, salad and mint tea. It is a chance to ask questions, see a traditional house and understand village life. Tell us about vegetarian meals and allergies at booking so the family can prepare.
Which market should you choose?
| If you want | Choose |
|---|---|
| Crafts and a sunset evening | Tuesday, Amizmiz |
| History and heritage | Wednesday, Tlat N'Yaaqoub |
| Quiet, off-the-beaten-track culture | Thursday, Tizguine |
| The liveliest market and easy access to Imlil | Saturday, Asni |
Combine a market with a trek
A market day pairs well with a longer High Atlas adventure. See our trekking guide to Mount Toubkal, our list of treks beyond Toubkal and our Berber villages treks.
Book a market day with a local guide
Tell us the day you want and how many people are travelling, and we will arrange pickup from Marrakech, the market tour, a family lunch and the afternoon activity. Message us on WhatsApp or contact us.
FAQ
What day is the Amizmiz market? The Amizmiz weekly market is on Tuesday.
When is the Asni market? Asni's market runs on Saturday.
What day is the Tlat N'Yaaqoub market? Wednesday, which is what tlat means in Moroccan Arabic.
When is the Tizguine market? Thursday.
Do the tours include lunch? Yes. Every market tour includes lunch with a local family.
Can I visit the markets without a guide? You can, but a guide helps with language, bargaining, culture and getting invited to a family home.
How far are these markets from Marrakech? Amizmiz is about 60 km south, and Asni is on the road to Imlil, around 1 hour from the city. Ask us for exact timings for each market.
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