With its round entrance and battlement-like merlons, Bab el Khemis is the Medina's northernmost gateway. Based on an original Almoravid gate, it was refurbished in 1803–4, but must still be reasonably similar to how it was in the eleventh century.

Souk el Khemis

The gate is called Bab el Khemis (“Thursday Gate”) because it leads out to a huge flea market, called the Souk el Khemis. whose market day, in theory, is Thursday. In fact it now operates every day except Friday, but Thursday, and to a lesser extent Sunday, are its biggest days.

The Souk el Khemis was originally a market for camels and donkeys, but nowadays it sells a bit of everything, from mobile phone accessories to food, clothes, furniture and bric-a-brac.

From the gate, go 300m straight ahead, across a little park (previously a cemetery), and follow the crowds. The best time to come is in the morning, around 9–10am – when the stalls have all set up, but before the best bargains have gone.

Practical Info

Gate: Route de Bab Khemis, Médina, Marrakech 40000

Market: Souk el Khemis, Route des Remparts (at Avenue du 11 Janvier), Marrakech 40000

Market daily except Fri (but especially Thur & Sun) 8am–7pm

Souk el Khemis market on Tripadvisor