Marhaba2030Morocco 2030 visitor guide

Typical products & where to buy them

Argan oil, carpets, leather, ceramics, spices: what's authentic and where to find it.

The best typical Moroccan products

  • Argan oil: best from women's cooperatives in the Souss region (around Agadir and Essaouira). Culinary oil is toasted (nutty smell); cosmetic oil is lighter.
  • Carpets and rugs: Marrakech souks, Middle Atlas towns, and the Rabat medina (Rue des Consuls). Kilims (flat-woven), Beni Ourain (white wool) and Azilal (colourful).
  • Leather: bags, jackets, poufs, babouches; Fes and Marrakech are the centres.
  • Ceramics: blue and white Fes pottery; colourful Safi pottery; tableware and tagines.
  • Zellige: hand-cut mosaic tiles, a Fes specialty.
  • Lanterns and metalwork: brass, copper and pierced lamps in Marrakech and Fes.
  • Spices: ras el hanout, cumin, saffron (from Taliouine), paprika.
  • Rose products: rose water and creams from the Kelaat M'Gouna valley.
  • Thuya wood: boxes and chess sets from Essaouira.
  • Silver jewellery: Tiznit (near Agadir) and Amazigh designs.
  • Black soap (savon beldi), ghassoul clay and kessa glove for a home hammam.
  • Clothing: djellabas, kaftans, embroidered tunics, scarves.
  • Tea sets: teapots and decorated glasses.
  • Food: dates, olives, preserved lemons, amlou, honey, argan, olive oil.

How to shop well

  • Visit an Ensemble Artisanal (fixed-price government craft centre) first to see quality and fair prices.
  • Bargain in souks with a smile; it is normal.
  • Check quality: real leather, tight stitching, hand-knotted carpets (look at the back), pure argan (no strong smell, not too cheap).
  • Ask for shipping options for large items like carpets; get a written receipt.
  • Avoid buying fossils, antiques or protected species items without proper documents.

Where, city by city

  • Casablanca: Quartier Habous, Ensemble Artisanal, Morocco Mall.
  • Rabat: Rue des Consuls, Oulja pottery complex in Salé.
  • Tangier: medina shops, weavers' fondouks.
  • Marrakech: the souks, Rahba Kedima, Ensemble Artisanal, Sidi Ghanem design district.
  • Fes: tanneries area, Seffarine square, Ain Nokbi pottery workshops.
  • Agadir: Souk El Had, argan cooperatives, Tiznit silver.

All questions

Should I bargain?
In souks and markets, yes: it is normal and friendly. In malls, supermarkets, restaurants and fixed-price craft centres, no.
What are the best souvenirs to buy?
Argan oil, carpets, leather goods, ceramics, lanterns, spices, babouches, silver jewellery, tea sets and black soap.
Where can I buy real argan oil?
From women's cooperatives in the Souss region around Agadir and on the road to Essaouira, or at reputable shops. Very cheap 'argan' is often diluted.
Where are the best carpets?
Marrakech souks (Souk des Tapis), Rabat's Rue des Consuls and Middle Atlas towns. Check the back for hand-knotting and ask about shipping.
Where can I buy leather?
Fes (around the Chouara tannery) and Marrakech souks are the leather capitals.
What is an Ensemble Artisanal?
A government-supported craft centre in each big city with fixed prices and good quality. Visit it first to know fair prices.

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