6 Best Shopping in Ville Nouvelle, Tangier and the Mediterranean

The fixed-price, government-regulated Ensemble Artisanal offers handicrafts from all over Morocco. The store is a little pricey, but it's a good place to develop an eye for quality items and their market prices before you hit the medina. You can also custom emboss or cover bound books in leather.

Housed on the second floor of an old inn, this weaving cooperative overlooks what used to be the large courtyard where visitors parked their animals. Weavers and their looms are tightly packed into cupboard-size stores, where walls are lined with naturally dyed blankets, throws, curtains, linens, thick wool djellebas, and cactus silk (also known as vegan or Sabra silk) scarves. It can be tricky to find; ask a local to show you the portal that leads into the complex, below the Waller steps.

This contemporary "house of art" showcases local and international artists year-round in a plethora of media and styles. Staff are knowledgeable about the small but strong art scene in Tangier and Morocco.

Across from the Hotel Minzah, this pricey antiques shop specializes in home furnishings and period pieces from old Morocco, with an especially large inventory of antique rugs. The owners also run the Bazaar Tindouf right down the street, where Moroccan ceramics, wood, iron, brass, and silver, plus embroidery and rugs, are piled floor to ceiling.

Opened in 1949, this historic and charming independent bookstore was frequented by Tangier’s literati, including Paul Bowles, Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote. More recently it was saved from closure by Yves Saint Laurent’s partner, Pierre Bergé; covetable books still cram the shelves. The store closes on Sunday. 

Founded in 1919, this famous Moroccan perfume house produces some of the world's most highly regarded oud (a resinous oil) fragrances, as well as copies of some of the most recognizable scents by the likes of Chanel and Dior. The perfumery is owned by Sidi Madini and has been passed down through his family for more than 500 years.