Rahba Kedima Spice Souk

Rahba Kedima is a modest, open square just north of Jemaa el-Fnaa where the Spice Souk has traded for centuries, historically doubling as a slave and grain market before becoming the district's herbal and spice hub. Stalls display cone-shaped mounds of ras el hanout, cumin, paprika, and turmeric alongside baskets of dried chilies, rosebuds for tea, and loose saffron threads weighed out on small brass scales. Herbalist shops ringing the square also sell traditional remedies, henna powder, kohl, argan oil, and amber-colored amlou spread, often displayed with taxidermy or curious apothecary jars that give the square an old-world pharmacy feel. Vendors are generally happy to explain uses for unfamiliar spices and blends, and small samples are sometimes offered before a purchase. Saffron in particular requires some caution, since lower-quality safflower is sometimes passed off as saffron at a fraction of the real price; buying from an established stall and checking the thread color and aroma helps confirm authenticity. The square sits directly on the route most visitors take between Jemaa el-Fnaa and the northern souks, making it an easy stop rather than requiring a special detour. Morning visits offer the freshest displays and calmer bargaining conditions before the midday crowds build.