Marrakech is known for its bustling medina souks, where bargaining is a way of life.
While some people enjoy bargaining over pricing with vendors, others find it to be overwhelming and frustrating.
If you’re in the latter group, Ensemble Artisanal is the perfect alternative.
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What is Ensemble Artisanal?
Ensemble Artisanal is a shopping center located just a short distance from Marrakech’s medina.
Unlike the souks, where vendors aggressively try to sell their goods and prices are negotiable, the shops at Ensemble Artisanal have fixed prices.
You can browse to your heart’s content without feeling pressured to buy anything or haggle over prices.
Specialties at Ensemble Artisanal
Ensemble Artisanal is a unique destination for those interested in exploring the variety of Moroccan crafts.
There is a wide variety of traditional Moroccan crafts available for tourists to choose from, including ceramics, woodcarvings, leather items, textiles, jewelry, and more.
One particularly unique aspect of the complex is the small section of the closed market that specializes in calligraphy.
Here, visitors can have their names or other phrases hand-drawn onto parchment in beautiful Arabic calligraphy.
This experience can be particularly special for those with unusual or foreign names, as they can communicate with the calligrapher to translate their name into Arabic and have it hand-drawn onto parchment.
Ensemble Artisanal is also home to several boutiques and souvenir shops, offering a wide range of authentic Moroccan products.
Visitors can expect to find items such as babouches, shirts, home decorations, leather, belts, and pottery.
Advantages of Shopping at Ensemble Artisanal
There are many advantages to shopping at Ensemble Artisanal. Firstly, you can shop in peace without being bothered by aggressive vendors.
This is particularly helpful for those who may be uncomfortable with the hustle and bustle of the medina.
Secondly, the quality of the products available at Ensemble Artisanal is excellent. You’ll find a wide range of traditional crafts, jewelry, leather goods, and more.
Also, the prices are fair and set, so you won’t have to worry about getting taken advantage of
Thirdly, Ensemble Artisanal is a great place to visit if you’re short on time. Instead of spending hours wandering around the medina souks, you can easily find what you’re looking for at Ensemble Artisanal and be on your way.
Disadvantages of Shopping at Ensemble Artisanal
While there are many advantages to shopping at Ensemble Artisanal, there is one major disadvantage: you miss out on the bargaining experience.
For many people, bargaining is an integral part of the shopping experience in Marrakech.
If you’re someone who enjoys bargaining and getting the best possible price, Ensemble Artisanal may not be the best choice for you.
Conclusion
Ensemble Artisanal is a great option for those who want a hassle-free shopping experience in Marrakech. You’ll find high-quality traditional crafts at reasonable prices, without having to worry about aggressive vendors or negotiating prices.
However, if you enjoy bargaining, you may want to venture into the medina souks for a more authentic shopping experience. Ultimately, the choice is yours – but it’s nice to know that there are alternatives to the chaos of the medina!