Place des Ferblantiers is smallish square which is often overlooked by visitors to Marrakech. Loosely translated, the name means “Iron Workers Square” although some guide books also list it as the Tin Workers Square or Tinkers Square. You explore this area in Marrakech on your own or you can enjoy a fascinating private guided tour with one of our classic Egypt and Morocco Tours.

Lamp shop bazaar at Place Des Ferblantiers.

The square is located on the edge of the Mellah which is Marrakech’s old Jewish Quarter. It essentially links the old Jewish Quarter to the city’s Islamic neighborhoods and is situated to the south of the city’s famous square, Jemaa al-Fnaa.

As one might expect, the square is occupied almost entirely by small traditional shops with tradesmen crafting their wares from a variety of different metals. Even if you have no desire to buy anything at the square, it is still very much worth a visit.

The craftsmen at Place des Ferblantiers employ the exact same skills and techniques which have been used for hundreds of years already; skills and knowledge which are simply passed on from one generation to the next.

Place des Ferblantiers – A Brief History

Traditional shop at Place des Ferblantiers in Marrakech.

As you enter the square, you are greeted by a cacophony of sounds and noises caused by hammers and the forging of metals and craftsmen go through their daily routines. Surprisingly, the noise coming out from these small shops is by no means unpleasant, and it certainly won’t spoil your visit.

While the number of workshops has somewhat declined over the years, there are still several where you can buy things like jewelry, traditional daggers, incense burners, teas-serving trays, lamps and more.

There are also a number of bars lining the square these days, most of which have rooftop terraces where you can have some snacks and refreshments while you enjoy a bird’s eye view of the medina.

Place des Ferblantiers was renovated a few years ago, and during the process, several benches were placed around the square, along with a central fountain.

As strange as it may seem, Place des Ferblantiers is actually a haven of tranquility, which is largely due to the fact that the square is accessed via a pedestrians-only road.

Visiting Place des Ferblantiers

If you head to Place des Ferblantiers from Jemaa al-Fnaa, expect about a 15 minute walk. Alternatively, if you are being driven around as part of a tour, your driver will have to leave the vehicle at the nearby car park which is separated from the square by the 100 meter long pedestrians-only road.

Place des Ferblantiers is also in close proximity to several popular Marrakech tourist attractions, so most people spend around an hour or two at the square, and then move onto other attractions in the area, such as the Saadian Tombs or the 16th century El Badi Palace for example.

As is the case at all of Morocco souks and markets, shoppers at Place des Ferblantiers are also expected to haggle with vendors when purchasing goods.

Remember, haggling is a way of life in Morocco and it is something which is almost always done in a friendly and good-spirited way. Most visitors soon get the hang of it, and for many it becomes a great form of entertainment, something which helps to make every purchase a fun experience.

Place des Ferblantiers is certainly not in the same league as some other Morocco tourist attractions like Souk Semmarine or Jemaa al-Fnaa, but it is nonetheless a nice attraction to visit, and especially if you feel like a break from the incredibly lively souk district or the main square.

It is also possible to pick up some excellent bargains here, and of course, once you have finished strolling around, you can enjoy a short break at one of the rooftop terraces before moving on to the next attraction on your list.

Explore the Best of Morocco – And Egypt!

If you contemplating booking one of our classic Egypt and Morocco tours, kindly note that Place des Ferblantiers may or may not be featured in your preferred tour itinerary.

However, because all of our tours can be customized to meet the exact needs of our clients, one of our tour managers will be happy to amend your preferred tour package to include Place des Ferblantiers you request that we do.