Souk Experience in North Africa
Add another element to an African journey by including a souk experience to the itinerary. The term souk refers to a marketplace, bazaar or street where goods and services are exchanged or sold, and where haggling is still a very important part of the trade.
It is thought that souks initially developed outside city walls where they acted as roadside inns where travellers could rest and recover from the day’s journey. As towns and cities became more populous, the souks moved into the city centre and over time formed a network of trading centres.
A souk experience usually forms part of travellers journeying to especially the north of Africa. At the same time, shopping at a souk remains a central feature of daily life in many cities and towns where they tend to be found in the old quarters. Several souk districts have been listed as World Heritage sites due to their historical and architectural significance.
There are a few unique destinations in Africa where visitors can have a souk experience and get a glimpse of how the trade of yesteryear was conducted.