Souk Cherratine (Woodwork & Leather Souk)

Souk Cherratine runs near the Ben Youssef Madrasa in the northern Medina and is best known for its concentration of woodworkers and leather artisans, many working in small open-front shops that double as showrooms. The signature craft here is thuya, a fragrant burl wood harvested from a cypress-like tree native to the Essaouira region, carved into boxes, chess sets, picture frames, and small furniture, often inlaid with mother-of-pearl or camel bone in fine marquetry patterns. Alongside the woodwork, leather stalls sell bags, belts, and travel goods similar to those found near the tanneries, though often at slightly calmer, less tourist-saturated prices given the souk's proximity to the historic madrasa rather than the main Jemaa el-Fnaa thoroughfare. Watching an artisan complete an inlay pattern by hand gives a sense of the labor behind the pricing, and buyers purchasing multiple or larger pieces can often negotiate a package price. The souk's location makes it easy to combine with a visit to the beautifully tiled Ben Youssef Madrasa and the nearby Marrakech Museum.