Shopping in Essaouira
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A
Spice Souq
For herbal Viagra, Berber lipstick, cures for baldness and exotic spices, the spice souq is the place to go. The jovial traders will try and draw you in with their more eccentric wares but the best buys are the aromatic spice blends for tajine, fish and chicken. You can also buy argan oil products here as well as the traditional amlou (about Dh40 per bottle). Nearby is the fish souq, an interesting place to wander even if you're not buying, and across Ave de l'Istiqlal, is the jewellery souq, a small area of jewellery shops with everything from heavy Berber beads to gaudy gold.
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B
Woodcarving Workshops
Essaouira is well known for its woodwork and you can visit the string of woodcarving workshops near the Skala de la Ville. The exquisite marquetry work on sale is made from local fragrant thuya wood, which is now an endangered species. Although the products are beautiful and sold at excellent prices, buying anything made from thuya threatens the last remaining stands of trees by increasing demand and therefore encouraging illegal logging. For a guilt-free conscience look for crafts made from other woods instead.
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C
Galeries Frederic Damgaard
Essaouira has a reputation as an artists hub, and several galleries around town sell works by local painters. It’s a mixed bag of talent and you may need to look in all of them before finding something you like. Galeries Frederic Damgaard is the best and oldest in town and features the work of local artists.
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D
Coopérative Artisanal des Marqueteurs
Essaouira is well known for its woodwork and you can visit the string of woodcarving workshops near the Skala de la Ville. For fixed-price shopping try the Coopérative Artisanal des Marqueteurs.
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E
Rafia Craft
One of Essaouira’s great product is its raffia work, made from the fibres of the doum palm. For the most stylish designs, try Rafia Craft, which sells much of its line to European outlets.
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F
Association Tilal des Arts Plastiques
Essaouira has a reputation as an artists hub, and several galleries around town sell works by local painters. The Association Tilal des Arts Plastiques features up-and-coming artists.
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G
Espace Othello
Essaouira also has a reputation as an artists hub, and several galleries around town sell works by local painters. Espace Othello features up-and-coming artists.
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H
Galerie Aida
Run by a former New Yorker, this place stocks a small but good selection of English-language books and some funky junk.
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