Morocco captivates visitors with its vibrant medinas, stunning Atlas Mountains, and golden Sahara dunes. From the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen to the bustling souks of Marrakech, this North African gem offers an intoxicating blend of Arab, Berber, and French influences. Experience world-class cuisine, ancient imperial cities, and warm hospitality in one of Africa's most enchanting destinations.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Handmade Leather Babouches (Slippers)
Soft leather slippers crafted in the Fez or Marrakech tanneries using traditional methods. Available in a rainbow of colors from natural tan to bright yellow and red.
Price: $10-40
Where: Fez leather souk, Marrakech Souk Smarine
Hand-Painted Pottery
Distinctive blue-and-white painted tagines, plates, and bowls from Fez, or earthy terracotta pieces from Safi. Each piece is hand-painted by artisans following centuries-old patterns.
Price: $8-80
Where: Fez medina pottery quarter, Safi pottery hill
Berber Carpet or Kilim
Handwoven wool rugs in geometric Berber patterns in red, orange, and blue. Each carpet tells a story through its motifs and is made by artisans in the High Atlas villages.
Price: $50-500
Where: Marrakech souk, Ouarzazate cooperatives, Atlas village markets
Brass or Silver Lantern (Fanous)
Intricate hand-punched brass or silver lanterns that cast beautiful geometric shadow patterns when lit. Iconic Moroccan décor piece available in every size.
Price: $15-120
Where: Marrakech Souk des Ferronniers, Fez medina
Argan Oil & Beauty Products
Pure argan oil for cooking or cosmetics, sourced from the argania trees of the Souss Valley. Women's cooperatives produce high-quality certified-organic products.
Price: $12-50
Where: Women's cooperatives near Essaouira, Marrakech health shops
Ras el Hanout Spice Blend
Morocco's signature spice blend containing 20-30 spices including rose petals, cardamom, and cumin. Sold loose by weight in the spice souks for use in tagines and couscous.
Price: $3-15
Where: Marrakech spice square (Rahba Kedima), Fez Ain Azliten market
Thuya Wood Decorative Box
Ornately carved boxes, frames, and decorative objects made from fragrant thuya burl wood, a specialty of Essaouira. The wood has a distinctive swirling grain pattern.
Price: $20-150
Where: Essaouira medina carpentry shops
Berber Silver Jewelry
Chunky silver bracelets, rings, and necklaces decorated with enamel, coral, and amber in traditional Amazigh (Berber) designs. Authentic pieces from the Atlas and Souss regions.
Price: $15-200
Where: Marrakech Souk des Bijoutiers, Tiznit silver souk
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Jemaa el-Fnaa Market Stalls (Marrakech)
The iconic square's surrounding stalls sell spices, dried fruits, and Moroccan snacks by day, transforming into an open-air food market at sunset. A sensory experience unlike any other in Morocco.
Where: Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Marrakech Medina
Hours: Daytime stalls 8AM-6PM; food stalls 6PM-midnight
Fez Medina Souk (Fès el-Bali)
The world's largest car-free urban area and oldest active medieval trading center. Separate souks for leather, copper, textiles, and ceramics in the UNESCO-listed medina.
Where: Talaa Kebira & Talaa Seghira, Fez 30000
Hours: 8AM-7PM daily (some shops close Friday noon)
Marrakech Central Souk (Souk Semmarine)
The main artery of Marrakech's souk network, lined with carpet and textile shops leading deeper into specialized souks for spices, babouches, and metalwork. Bargaining is expected.
Where: Rue Souk Semmarine, Marrakech Medina
Hours: 9AM-8PM daily
Rahba Kedima (Spice Square, Marrakech)
An open square in Marrakech's old medina surrounded by herbalist and spice stalls selling everything from saffron and ras el hanout to dried chameleons and traditional cosmetics.
Where: Place Rahba Kedima, Marrakech 40000
Hours: 9AM-7PM daily
Mellah Market (Marrakech Jewish Quarter)
The old Jewish quarter's market specializes in locally made metalwork lanterns and silver Judaica alongside everyday Moroccan goods. More authentic and less touristy than the main souks.
Where: Place des Ferblantiers, Marrakech 40000
Hours: 8AM-6PM daily
Essaouira Medina Market
The relaxed Atlantic coast market where artisans sell thuya wood carvings, blue-painted crafts, and local argan products without the intense pressure of Marrakech. Famous for its laid-back atmosphere.
Where: Rue Mohammed el-Qory, Essaouira 44000
Hours: 9AM-7PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Gueliz (Marrakech New City)
Marrakech's French-influenced new city is home to art galleries, design boutiques, contemporary Moroccan fashion stores, and international brands along Avenue Mohammed V. Mix of high-end and mid-range shopping.
Best for: Fashion, art, contemporary crafts, international brands
Fez Medina Quartiers
The ancient medina of Fez is organized into craft-specific quarters: potters' hill in the north, the tanneries around Derb el-Gza, copper workers near Andalusian Quarter. Shopping here supports living craft traditions.
Best for: Authentic crafts, pottery, leather, traditional textiles
Essaouira Medina
The wind-swept port city's compact medina is lined with independent artisan workshops selling thuya wood crafts, blue pottery, Gnaoua music instruments, and argan products in a relaxed atmosphere.
Best for: Thuya wood, argan products, musical instruments, coastal crafts
Kasbah des Oudayas Artisan Shops (Rabat)
The historic Andalusian kasbah in Rabat's old city houses a cluster of quality craft shops selling ceramics, jewelry, and textiles in atmospheric 17th-century buildings. Less crowded than Marrakech.
Best for: Ceramics, jewelry, quality Moroccan crafts without tourist pressure
Tiznit Silver Souk
The small Souss city of Tiznit is the center of Berber silver jewelry production. The souk is lined with silversmiths working in traditional methods, selling chunky Amazigh-design necklaces and bracelets.
Best for: Authentic Berber silver jewelry, traditional craftsmanship
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Morocco Mall (Casablanca)
Morocco's largest shopping mall with 350 stores including Zara, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Apple Store, and an Aquadream aquarium. Located on the Ain Diab corniche with an IMAX cinema and food court.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily (until midnight weekends)
Anfa Place Shopping Center (Casablanca)
Upscale indoor mall in the Anfa district with mid-to-high-end brands, dining options, a cinema, and a hypermarket. More relaxed atmosphere than Morocco Mall with good parking.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Menara Mall (Marrakech)
Marrakech's main modern mall housing Carrefour supermarket, fashion retailers, electronics, and a food court. Located near the airport on Avenue Menara, good for stocking up on practical items.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Mega Mall (Rabat)
Large mall serving Rabat with major fashion chains, a Marjane hypermarket, cinema, and food court. Popular with local families and a convenient option for standard international brands.
Hours: 10AM-10PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Always start your counter-offer at 30-50% of the asking price in the medina souks - vendors expect negotiation
Smile and stay friendly throughout; haggling is a social ritual, not a confrontation
Walking away is your strongest tool - you'll often be called back with a better price
Don't show too much enthusiasm for an item before negotiating
Agree on a price before taking a taxi or ordering food at informal stalls
Fixed-price shops (marked 'prix fixé') exist in Gueliz and cooperatives - no bargaining expected there
If you accept a tour of a carpet workshop, you're not obligated to buy anything
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques over 100 years old require an export permit from the Monuments Historiques office; items that appear antique may be confiscated without paperwork
Tax Refund: Morocco does not currently operate a tourist VAT refund scheme for most purchases; check with large retailers for any applicable rebates
Duty Free: UK/EU travelers can bring back goods worth up to £390/€430 duty-free; US travelers $800; alcohol limited to 1-2 bottles
Shipping: DHL and FedEx operate from major cities; riads and carpet shops often arrange international shipping for large purchases