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Destination:

Morocco


What to Buy

The best place to shop in Morocco is the souk, not only for the variety of goods available, but for the experience itself – the fragrances and colors, the bustle and noise, and the chance to see a slice of Moroccan life. These markets can be found in every city and village, selling everything from produce and spices to textiles and ceramics. In rural areas, souks take place once or twice a week – in larger cities like Marrakech and Rabat, they take place almost daily. On Fridays, the Muslim holy day, most shops close early (around noon). Bargaining is an integral and expected part of the buying process, and prices are rarely marked. Items can range widely in quality, so it’s best to shop around.

topArgan Oil

Morocco's famous Argan oil, rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, is said to be the cure for whatever ails you. It’s available in any herbal shop in the souk. It is safe to use as a massage oil or skin-care product, but shouldn't be ingested unless you get it from an extremely reputable source.

topHerbs and Spices

The pharmacies and spice merchants in the souks sell a variety of herbs, perfumes and potions, and of course, fresh, exotic spices. Saffron is a particularly good bargain – another popular option is Ras El Hanout, or “head of the shop,” a fragrant mixture of ground cardamom, turmeric, nutmeg and other spices.

topMetalware

Morocco has a rich heritage of metalworking. You’ll find a wide variety of trays and platters, teapots, candlesticks and lanterns in copper, wrought iron, brass and nickel silver, often engraved or inlaid with contrasting metals into intricate patterns.

topSilver and Gold Jewelry

Silver jewelry in Morocco is characteristic of the mountain Berber tribes and is often enhanced with engraving, enamel or semi-precious stones. The most common items are brooches, worn in pairs by Berber women to hold their robes in place. Necklaces of huge amber beads, thought to have protective qualities, were once widely traded – these days, the beads are often made of plastic resin. Gold jewelry is favored by the Arabs of the towns, and is usually delicate and finely wrought. Filigree set with pearls is especially popular.

topCeramics

The colors and decorations on Moroccan ceramics vary according to where they were made. Blue-glazed, Andalusian-inspired Fez pottery is the most refined, and is available in a variety of shapes, from tiles to tagine dishes. Safi pottery, produced in the country’s oldest kilns, features fanciful designs in turquoise and cream.

topBerber Terracotta

Sturdier and more utilitarian than the delicate ceramics produced in the cities, Berber pottery is prized for its ancient, tribal appearance and geometric motifs.

topWood and Stone Carvings

Tetouan, Azrou and Fez are known for their finely carved cedarwood shelves, screens and other furnishings. In Essaouira, woodworkers craft beautiful marquetry boxes, tables and chests from the local thuya trees. The quarries of Erfoud provide fossil marble for housewares and decorative objects; Taroudant artisans carve soft stone into geometric boxes and paperweights.

topClothing and Embroidered Fabrics

Clothing items on sale at the souks include women’s caftans, men’s djellabas (loose-fitting, hooded cloaks) and babouches (slippers). Also look for intricately detailed tablecloths, bed covers and other linens. The cities of Morocco each have their own unique style and tradition of embroidery – goods from Fez are the most famous and sought-after.

topLeather Goods

Items made from dyed and embroidered cowhide, sheepskin and goatskin can be found throughout Morocco, but the best selection is in Fez, home to a vast tannery that still uses age-old techniques. Popular items include purses, slippers, billfolds and ottomans.

topCarpets

Buying a carpet in a souk is a ritual in itself, involving multiple glasses of sweet tea and much negotiating. While no two carpet designs are alike, there are two basic types: Berber, which are woven or knotted into tribal patterns, and city carpets, symmetrically woven into Oriental-influenced floral or geometric motifs. The value of a carpet is determined by the number of knots per row and the density of the threads. Flat-woven Berber kilims are the most affordable.