Comments on: Shopping in Morocco | What to Buy in Morocco and How Much to Pay

By: oumaima

oumaima — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 14:08:14 +0000

I love your blog, Rachel! So much great information

By: mish

mish — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 06:23:55 +0000

Great article but take the emphasis off getting the best deal and getting a bargain ! Travel is also about giving back to communities buy directly from the artisans . Respect the hours of work that goes into a handwoven textiles and pay the maker not the middleman. I have lived in Morocco for 20 years and advise think about what you are willing to pay for the workmanship . The I want to get everything for a steal approach encourages ripoffs and copied souvenirs from China

By: Vero

Vero — Sat, 19 Oct 2019 01:48:52 +0000

In reply to Angela. Angela, could you suggest the best city/market to shop for a traditional women attire (considering price!)? Also, where can one buy white wedding rug (beni ouarain) for the best price? specific city and market/place would be helpful. Maybe you could write what's appropriate price for locals for both items? thanks a lot! your comments were the most helpful!

By: Katie

Katie — Sat, 10 Aug 2019 05:02:43 +0000

Thank you for the great article. This may be a stupid question, but can you buy Persian rugs in Morocco? More of the purple/red ones?

Thanks!

By: Morocco Tours

Morocco Tours — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 14:59:52 +0000

Unless the prices are labeled on the products you are buying you should never pay the first price you been told as bargaining is a part of the Moroccan culture . Very helpful article with beautiful pictures ! thanks for sharing

By: norma pate

norma pate — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 21:53:20 +0000

In reply to Angela. hi Angela, you seem to have some information reguarding the co-ops, do you know where to find the basket weavers? i'd prefer to buy directly from those that do the work, rather than shopkeepers,,, any information would be appreciated.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 05 May 2019 18:45:22 +0000

You quote prices in US$. Did you take US$ or did you use Dirham? I am traveling in November and was going to load a travel card with US$ not linked to my bank accounts and then withdraw at the airport and at larger cities.

By: Michaela

Michaela — Tue, 16 Apr 2019 12:17:00 +0000

Hey thanks for your post. Did you visit the market in Agadir by any chance? If so, what was it like in comparison to other markets you visteed?

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 07:47:38 +0000

In reply to Jessica. I have this same question! Heading to Fes and Marrakesh and interested in the same products. Leaving Friday -- what do you think?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 23:29:01 +0000

Hi Rachel, I am planning to purchase some pouffes and a rug or blanket. I want to buy them in the last city before flying home so that I don’t have to haul around my goods on my 2 week trip. Would you recommend doing my shopping in Fes, or Marrakesh (considering price, quality, variety)? I can leave from either city. Thank you!!

By: Mikahelia Harris-Saunders

Mikahelia Harris-Saunders — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 19:38:32 +0000

Do you think that it is still possible to get rugs in Fez for a similar price that you paid? I’m heading to Morocco in February and I am considering getting a rug if the price is reasonable. What can I expect to pay now compared to when you first visited? Also, did you have trouble bringing the rug home? (Duties?)

By: Laura R W

Laura R W — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 14:24:31 +0000

In reply to Rachel Jones. Noted. I just loved the display of all of the baskets in your photos and I was not sure if these were taken at a place particularly known for baskets. I will be going in December looking for baskets in particular -- and I am prepared to be overwhelmed! :-)

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 00:56:53 +0000

Loving this article. I sent you a message on instagram as well. What part of the souks in fez do you reccomend? I went to the tannery today and they wanted 70usd for a small pouf. I had hired a guide and caught on quick he did not have my best interest in mind. I fly out tomorrow afternoon so hopefully tomorrow morning will be succesful. Shopping for a pouf, a rug, wedding blanket, gloves and maybe a pair of shoes. All on a shoestring budget. Thank you again for this article,saved me from gettinf super ripped off!

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 20:56:08 +0000

In reply to Laura R W. No I don't but there are DOZENS you will be overwhelmed with options!

By: Laura R W

Laura R W — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 03:16:26 +0000

where did you buy the baskets in Marrakesh? Do you have the store name?

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 11:13:34 +0000

Also sorry i was meant to add that in a number of towns that has an Artisan Ensemble…Marrakech has one, Chefchaouen has one..they are government run so prices are set and theres no haggling or hustle so you can get an idea of prices and quality. Sometimes you can get cheaper in the souks haggling but at least you know what is sbout the right price, especially textiles. The artisan ensemble in Chefchaouen is a really good place to buy textiles.

By: Angela

Angela — Sat, 18 Aug 2018 11:09:35 +0000

Hi theres quite a number of expats who live in Morocco because they fell in love with all this so theres actually a lot more accurate information around…but first Id say get a car and get independent and drive to places around Morocco, dont just shop in Marrakech though if you only have time for other than that then fair enough…there are great places to shop all over Morocco eg Agadir for Argane, Esssouira for art and Thuya wood, Marrakech and Taroudant and Fez for leathergoods, Taroudant for silver, Tafraoute for local style babaouche and argane.
When you get to know Morocco and Moroccans there are much more finely tuned tips such as buying tagine dishes away from the marrakech medina…the heavy duty ones are the ones to cook with, the light weight decorative ones for serving only or for salads or sweets etc, for buying going outside the medina or way down the back of the medina, particularly if looking for those big metal lamps, or even better go to the weekly souks such as Telouet on wed or thurs or Asni or Tabant in the Ait Bougoumez valley, Taroudant which is an even better place to shop for everything such as kaftans, silverwork, leather goods such as shoes, bags and pouffes…lamps heat the leather with the flame from a match or firelighter and check the smell, avoid if it stinks.
Taroudant also has asunday souk on the outskirts.
Tafraoute is a great place to buy specially designed babouche the locals wear,for about $15. Also good for Argane and amloul.
Argane oil is never cheap.
There are also good coops in Agadir.
Stating that white rugs are used in weddings…the particular ones that are are called hanbels not rugs. Otherwise white rugs are beni ouarain rugs new or old, theres lots of new ones being priced way over the top when they actually dont cost much to make.
Its the old ones that are expensive.
You can buy rugs direct from ladies that make them when youre out visiting places such as Imlil, Tamtatouche…youll see them being washed or out on rocks or bushes drying..do some negotiating to buy a carpet from a family in a remote area who need money rather than a shop that gives lots of profit to the travelling carpet dealers and a pittance to the women who make them, or they are supplied from the production line commercial centre of Taznakht that supplies same looking carpets to shops all over morocco for tourists who dont know snything about the traditions and culture of rugs in morocco.
The Imilchil 3 day marriage festival souk 20km out of Imilchil is a great place to buy direct from women. Being out in the mountains people are pretty poor out here. Take socks and scarves and intersting school supplies to give away while youre out in these areas.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 14:06:27 +0000

In reply to Rachel Jones. Wonderful, thank you! So excited!

By: Rachel Jones

Rachel Jones — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 05:56:50 +0000

In reply to Laura.

Hey Laura! I didn’t mail anything home – although all the shops offered that service. I would imagine it’s like here in India, where they use a courier and you pay a smaller rate through the store since they ship in bulk through the same courier, which would be cheaper than if you just rocked up to FedEx (if that even have it in Marrakesh). They can arrange shipping rugs, pillows, everything back home for you! They always said “the more you buy, the cheaper the shipping” lol

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 02:01:25 +0000

Hey there, great article! I am just starting to plan a trip here in August and love to shop while travelling. Do you have any advice on mailing items home from Morocco? We will be mainly be in Marrakech. Thanks again for a great write :>