Crafts & Shopping

Shopping

Shopping is a major activity and attraction for many visitors to Morocco. Souks (traditional markets) are found in every town and city, and in the larger cities they can stretch over substantial areas and are often structured as combinations of individual souks each dedicated to a single craft. Even if you don’t set out intending to buy, it is fascinating to see craftsmen at work in the workshops and to experience the local life of the market.

Most shops open early in the mornings, close for lunch sometime between noon and 3 pm, and then finally close late evening.

What to buy

You will find a vast range of wonderful handcrafted goods of beautiful colours, shapes and textures: carpets, fabrics, pottery, jewellery, mirrors, bamboo crafts, fossils, marquetry, lanterns, clothing, spices, perfumes, herbs, nuts, dates, olives and much more on colourful stalls in the souks.

The crafts are deservedly fashionable abroad at present; why not buy you birthday or Christmas gifts here instead of at home and benefit the local economy? If you develop the skill of bargaining there are bargains to be had - you can often buy at a fraction of the price you can buy them at home. You can also have garments made to measure for very reasonable rates.

Where to buy

Marrakech and Fez have a vast range of souks and every conceivable craft for sale. If you are looking for a more relaxed place to shop then the souks in Taroudant - considered to be the best in south Morocco - or Essaouira, where there is a much greater feeling of space, are recommended, but there are great souks to explore in most places.

Taroudant is particularly well known for the crafts of stone carving, leather work, rugs and antique or antique style jewellery. The mother of the manageress at our guest house works with Berber silver jewellery and her goods can be bought at very reasonable prices. Essaouira is best known for marquetry made from the scented thuya wood.
The Medina d'Agadir (8 km south of Agadir) is another fascinating place to visit to see craftsmen at work. The workshops are set in stunning surroundings. Read more about it on our Culture/Environment page.

Prices

These are on the whole remarkably cheap, especially in the souks (markets), although imported goods can be expensive. Beware of Moroccans who want to help you with your shopping; they will often take you to places where they receive most commission from the vendors. There are a few of these “false guides” who usually make out that they are students and will often try to gain entry into your accommodation. We ask that, charming though they may appear, you do not invite them in. Better to ask one of the staff, who you can trust, to accompany you to the souks.

When buying larger items, try your luck with haggling; this can be time consuming but fun. It is not unusual for a ‘first price’ to be double the price that the vendor is seeking, but don't start the haggling process unless you hope to make a purchase. The final price is usually when the seller announces “last price” - at this point, you can try one last offer just below that figure, or walk away with no feelings hurt. If the seller does decide to come down to your last offer, however, you are custom-bound to complete the sale. The best guideline is to suggest that you pay what the item is worth to you and to remember that in a society without social security and where giving to the poor is expected, any extra profit they make is no doubt very much needed. The legal minimum monthly pay of 1600 Dirham (c £150) is rarely adhered to for the poorly educated majority.

Responsible Tourism

We encourage clients to buy direct from producers. For example, from a cottage soap making business that we have helped to set up in a mountain village, and the Argan Oil cooperatives helping to support sustainable management of the endangered and unique argan tree.

In the interests of conservation and to respect CITES legislation, please don't buy items made from endangered species or wild animals e.g fire bellows and banjos made from tortoise shells or wild animal skins. If you are tempted by thuya wood products, we suggest you buy small items, since the Barbary thuya is also endangered.