Must-see shopping in Central Morocco

  • La Poterie Chez La Famille Kabor

    Skoura

    Down the hill, 1km from Chez Talout, three generations of the same family handcraft earthen bread ovens and elegant urns, along with easier-to-transport…

  • Berber Carpets

    Todra Gorge

    This cooperative in the Auberge Royal Palmas sells a range of handmade carpets, from simple kilims to more elaborate pieces that took many months to…

  • Craft at Chefchaouen

    Coopérative de Tissage

    Ouarzazate

    Glimpse women artisans at work (Monday to Friday) on hanbels (woven carpets) and embroidered straw mats, and take one home at posted fixed prices based of…

  • Women's Cooperative of Aït Bououli

    High Atlas Mountains

    This is a 40-member cooperative that takes every aspect of carpet-making into its own hands: tending and shearing sheep; carding and spinning fluffy…

  • Horizon Artisanat

    Ouarzazate

    Henna-painted pottery, hand-painted tea glasses, and silver filigree rings are sold at reasonable fixed prices, supporting Horizon’s programs to provide…

  • Galerie d’Art Chez Zaid

    Dadès Valley

    At the converted home of Zaid Abbou, who runs the museum at Lalla Mimouna, you might find Tinejdad-made ceramics in the courtyard, sand-worn bracelets in…

  • Depot Nomade

    Merzouga

    This tardis-like, rammed-earth store is a seemingly never-ending series of interconnected rooms that's a one-stop shop for Moroccan arts and crafts. You…

  • La Dune Doré

    Merzouga

    Opened in 2016, this welcoming shop in Hassi Labied stocks high-quality products made in Morocco, including oils made from argan, almond, prickly pear and…

  • Unité de Distillation de Rose

    Dadès Valley

    Coming from Skoura, this rosewater distillery is located on the right 500m before the town. A cooperative of five farms, every element of the rose is used…

  • Association Gorge du Dadès

    Dadès Gorge

    Tufted carpets are made at this weaving cooperative, but soft kilim blankets made with undyed, extra-fluffy lambswool are signature pieces. The women are…

  • Chez Les Artistes

    Merzouga

    Creative French-Amazigh (Berber) couple, Johanne and Lahcen, have set up a small, rammed-earth art gallery and cafe in the village of Khamlia. Her work is…

  • Monday Souq

    Draa Valley

    You'll need to go early to this small, authentic Monday-morning market, where turbaned men haggle over oasis produce and catch up with their nomadic…

  • Cooperative Kasr Al Hamra

    Draa Valley

    Abderrahim Ougarane returned to his roots to become an artisan producer of date jams and syrup. Enjoy a tasting and leave with jars of this naturally…

  • Sunday Souq

    Rissani to Zagora

    Escape the mayhem of the Sunday souq and wander 500m down the side street with signs for Kasbah Baha Baha and through a doorway bedecked with dented pots…

  • Atlas Extreme

    Imlil

    This small shop carries an impressive variety of trekking and climbing equipment, including hard-to-find butane canisters for camping stoves and a small…

  • Cooperative Tikniouine

    High Atlas Mountains

    This cooperative was formed in 2005 by plucky young women who secured EU funding to start cultivating organic walnuts, collecting mountain wildflower…

  • Skoura Cultural Centre

    Skoura

    At this small space, Skoura residents sell items made with palm fronds, sustainably harvested without harming the trees. For travellers who’ve admired one…

  • Produits Agricoles Naturelles

    High Atlas Mountains

    Honey that’s considered rare elsewhere abounds in the hills around Demnate, and this shop across from the O'Libya petrol station on the road towards…

  • Complexe Artisanal

    Ouarzazate

    Opposite the kasbah, this sprawling complex of state-run showrooms (only of few of which seem to be open at any given time) features elaborately woven…

  • Boutique Riyaad Al Ward

    Dadès Valley

    The rose-infused lotions and potions at this small shop are certified organic, with roses purchased directly from local farmers. You'll find everything…

  • Sunday Souq

    High Atlas Mountains

    The weekly Sunday souq, south of the bus station, is an opportunity to taste-test local olives, olive oils and almonds and browse Demnate’s local woodwork…

  • Manar Marbre

    Erfoud

    Watch fossilised marble being cut into prehistoric-looking tables and sinks at this showroom; they also sell some portable items such as bookends and…

  • Aït Atta Chassures

    Rissani to Zagora

    Opposite the post office is Aït Atta Chassures, a wardrobe-sized emporium where cobblers bang out traditional walking sandals with coloured leather, rope…