What To Buy In Morocco | Souks & Souvenirs

Discover which souvenirs are worth buying in Moroccan Markets

No visit to Morocco is complete without exploring its vibrant Medinas and traditional Souks.

These bustling markets offer a treasure trove of goods, from handcrafted artisan pieces to unique souvenirs that capture the essence of Moroccan culture.

Whether browsing artisan workshops in Fez, discovering hidden boutiques in Chefchaouen, or wandering through the maze-like alleyways of Marrakech, each Medina promises a unique shopping experience. Kids can even try haggling for a fair price.

This guide will help you uncover the best things to buy in Morocco, so you can navigate the markets with confidence and take home something truly special.

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Where To Go Shopping In Morocco

🟣Take A Guided Tour Of Marrakech Medina
🟡Discover Fez On A Medina Tour
🟠Enjoy A Private Tangier Shopping Tour
🔴Shop In Essaouira’s Old Medina

Best Things To Buy In Morocco

Whether exploring, shopping, or just soaking up the vibes, Morocco is always a delight. Its ancient Medinas and Souks are packed with traditional goods, that you can easily spend a whole day looking for a souvenir to take home.

Kids may even find shopping to be one of their favourite things to do in Morocco.

To help you choose wisely, here are our recommendations for some of the best things to buy when visiting Morocco:

1. Ceramics and Pottery

Colourful painted pots, dishes and plates on a market stall. Typical things to buy in Morocco.

Handcrafted ceramics are a great souvenir to buy in Morocco. Plates, bowls, trinkets and tagines vary in size from miniature decorative gifts to practical, usable pieces.

With its vibrant colours and intricate geometric patterns, pottery is a beautiful addition to any home. However, check it carefully before you buy, as quality and finish can vary.

Our kids opted for a miniature tagine from Marrakech Medina to remind them how much they enjoyed discovering the new flavours of Morocco.

🌟Join a workshop to make your Moroccan pottery to take home

2. Spices and Tea

Colourful spices piled up in dishes to sell at a Moroccan Market.

Morocco is famous for the quality of its herbs and spices, and how better to keep the taste of its traditional foods alive than by shopping for some to take home. While they can be purchased around the world, once you have smelt them fresh you’ll know the difference.

Choose from favourites like saffron, cumin, black pepper, and paprika. You can even buy Morocco’s famous 44 spice and herb mix, Ras El Hanout, which is used in many tagines.

Moroccan mint tea is often given to families as a welcome drink when staying in Riads and can be found on any market stall that sells herbs and spices.

🌟Learn how to cook Moroccan food at a cooking class

3. Leather Goods

A traditional shop selling clothes and leather. Popular souvenirs to buy in Morocco.

Morocco’s fine leather goods are famous worldwide. The tanneries in Fez are a great place for families to see them being made, but leather gifts are available in most Medinas in Morocco.

The quality and craftsmanship are unmatched, from handbags and backpacks to slippers, belts, purses and footrests.

Babouches are unique items to buy in Morocco. These backless slippers come in various bold colours and patterns and are comfortable enough for adults and children to wear at home.

🌟 Join a Babouche making workshop to make your own

4. Lanterns and Metalwork

A market stall with lanterns and metal ornaments for sale.

It’s hard to believe that the intricate details that make Moroccan lanterns special are hand-crafted. Watching one of the many workshops in Marrakech’s souks is fascinating, especially for kids, as the sparks fly and the shapes take form to create a Moroccan masterpiece.

Each handcrafted lantern is unique, and there is something magical about them when hung in a home.

If a lamp is too big, consider one of the equally beautiful tea-light holders to add a warm, glow to any room.

5. Traditional Moroccan Rugs and Carpets

A shop with piles of colourful rugs for sale. A popular thing to buy from Morocco.

Traditional, handwoven Berber rugs are one of Morocco’s most iconic products. Each one is unique and tells a story through its patterns, symbolising the weaver’s heritage.

Visiting one of their workshops can be an interactive experience, and the weavers will often invite potential customers (especially kids!) to join them on the loom to get a closer look at the rug they are working on.

If you want something instantly recognisable as Moroccan, look out for the popular Flatweave Kilims and plush Beni Ourain rugs.

Rugs can be shipped to your home address. This is often a better option than trying to take it with you as luggage and can be cheaper, too. Remember to negotiate respectfully; while the price of these rugs may seem high, they can take months or even years to make.

6. Traditional Clothing and Textiles

A street stall selling colourful clothes.

You’ll find traditional Moroccan clothing in every market across the country. Wearing it can be a fun way for kids to engage in the local culture. The quality and price can vary greatly, and it is worth visiting several traders for comparison.

We tried on Berber jackets in the Todra Gorge street market and purchased dipped scarves in Merzouga before exploring the Sahara desert. The scarves not only look great but also provide practical protection from the sand and harsh rays of the sun.

Kaftans and djellabas are both traditional, unisex items of clothing that will help you feel like a local. For something you can display at home, perhaps consider a tablecloth or cushion covers.

7. Argan Oil and Beauty Products

Oil being handmade ground from nuts into a bowl.

Argan Oil, sought after for its fabled medicinal and culinary properties, has been produced in Morocco’s arid southwestern mountains for thousands of years.

A family visit to one of the Argan Cooperatives will give you a first-hand insight into the lives of the Berber women who extract it and teach you about sustainable practices.

Argan oil, commonly used in hair and skin products, offers health benefits such as supporting the immune system, reducing cholesterol, aiding wound healing and combating aging.

Buying direct from these communities is a great way to support them and keep the ancient traditional art alive.

🌟 Make Your Own Argan Oil to take home

8. Jewellery and Accessories

A market stall selling handmade items in Morocco.

Moroccan jewellery is known for its bold and beautiful designs, often handcrafted with silver or amber.

Berber-inspired necklaces and bracelets stand out as particularly eye-catching pieces of jewellery.

If you’re travelling with children, let them choose a unique piece as a special keepsake.

🌟Join a jewellery making workshop to take home a unique Berber necklace

9. Handwoven Baskets And Bags

Colourful market in an alleyway in a medina in Morocco. Lots of traditional goods waiting to be purchased in Marrakesh.

Moroccan baskets and bags are usually hand-woven and available in a wide range of patterns and colours. They are perfect accessories to purchase in souks across Morocco.

Handmade woven crafts are practical and stylish souvenirs, even for kids and teens. They are sturdy, easily carry anything that fits in them and are long-lasting!

They are a great eco-friendly alternative to plastic bags, and they make a great talking point when you get home.

10. Artwork and Calligraphy

A selection of colourful mini canvas paintings illustrating sights in Morocco.

You’ll find many hand-painted scenes depicting traditional Moroccan life and examples of Arabic calligraphy.

It can be hard to choose between the designs, but take your time; you’ll find one that is just right for you to buy. Most artisan sellers will happily personalise your items by writing your name or a message in Arabic script.

A painted Moroccan landscape canvas was one of our favourite souvenirs that our family brought home from Morocco.

11. Moroccan Sweets and Treats for Kids

A glass cabinet with different traditional sweets to buy in Morocco.

A great reason to travel with kids is to introduce them to traditional foods. While Tagines are well-known Moroccan delights, there are many sweets, pastries, and treats worth trying.

Fresh pressed fruit juice and dried fruit are available from markets, and sellers often offer a free sample to tempt you to buy. Delicious pastries like chebakia and semen are our favourites.

You could take a family-friendly cooking class to learn how to make Moroccan dishes with your kids at home.

12. Handmade Woodwork

Handmade wooden things to buy from a market stall.

Morocco has many talented artisan craftspeople creating gifts to purchase from the Medinas and souks.

Watching them work with wood is a common sight. It is the best way to be sure you are getting something unique, adding authenticity to your purchase.

In Marrakech, we interacted with a craftsman working away with his feet to create chess pieces. He gave our kids a wooden piece on a necklace.

Colourful scarfs hung in an alleyway. A popular gift to buy from a souk in Morocco.

Haggling In Morocco

Haggling is common practice in Morocco. Vendors expect it, although they will happily sell for the highest price. Also known as bartering for the best price, it’s part of the cultural experience that our kids love trying out to get a cheaper souvenir.

Prices are often inflated for tourists in souks and markets, so don’t feel you should pay the first price stated.

If you wish to purchase an item, offer a quarter of the initial price and negotiate with a friendly attitude. Remember vendors may depend on the small difference in price. Ultimately, if the price is not what you are willing to pay, walk away.

Tips for Shopping in Morocco

Shopping for gifts and souvenirs can be overwhelming, especially in Morocco. Follow our tips for a safe, stress-free shopping experience:

Bargain respectfully: Haggling is part of Moroccan culture, and our kids love playing to get the best bargain. Most items will initially be touted at a hugely inflated price, but with some friendly bartering, you may get the souvenir at a fraction of the starting price.
Stick to reputable sources: This is especially important for higher-value items such as rugs, leather goods, or argan oil. Look for cooperatives or government-certified shops to guarantee quality.
Pack your souvenirs wisely: Some items, like ceramics, rugs, or lanterns, can be bulky. Consider shipping options, or take/buy an extra suitcase for souvenirs.
Keep it fun: Involve your kids, whether choosing spices or trying on slippers. Shopping in the labyrinth-like medinas can be a tiring experience where a Moroccan pastry will go down a treat!
Carry cash: Souks and markets are often cash only, especially for smaller items.
Support local sellers: With many imports filling market stalls to meet the tourist demands in large cities, check that what you buy supports Moroccan artists. While on our road trip, we found the option to shop for souvenirs outside of large tourist towns is limited.

Four bottles in the sand on a dune in the Sahara Desert.

Final Thoughts | Things To Buy In Morocco

Shopping in Morocco can be an exciting, if sometimes overwhelming, experience.

Take the time to engage with local artisans, learn about their traditional techniques, and watch as beautiful items are expertly crafted before your eyes. We loved watching skilled woodworkers carve intricate chess pieces and pendants, while our kids had fun trying their hand at bartering for a fair price.

Whatever treasures you take home, shopping in Morocco is a chance to connect with the country’s rich heritage, support local artisans, and carry a piece of Morocco’s magic with you.