Rue des Consuls

Rue des Consuls is the best place to go if you want to shop at the stalls and choose crafts or gifts. Rabat was traditionally an artisan centre and a wide range of handicrafts are still practised here, so the choice and quality of goods is generally high. There are more offerings along Blvd Tariq al-Marsa towards the kasbah. You'll find everything in this area from jewellery, silks and pottery to zellij and carved wooden furniture.

Weaving was one of the most important traditional crafts in Rabat, and the more formal, Islamic style is still favoured. On Tuesday and Thursday mornings women descend from the villages to auction their carpets to local salesmen at the carpet souq off Rue des Consuls. Although tourists are not normally allowed in on the action, if you can begin negotiations you'll probably end up with a bargain.