18 Best Shopping in Tangier and the Mediterranean, Morocco

One of the finest antiques shops in Morocco has an array of antique textiles, silks, rich embroideries, vintage rugs, and Amazigh jewelry (often silver with coral and amber), as well as wooden boxes, household items, copper, and brass, collected from all over Africa on the owner's regular scouting trips. Prices are high, but the quality is indisputable, and it's worth a visit just to hear tales from Majid himself. International shipping is also available.

This small, sweet-smelling store—the name means Aladdin's Grandma's Apothecary—is a riot of color and awash with the fragrances of rose, amber, sandalwood, vanilla, Damascus jasmine, and more. The owner creates around 20 different types of handmade soaps, body oils, lotions, and solid perfumes made from all-natural, organic ingredients. Beautifully packaged, they make perfect gifts to take home.

Just outside the Bab el Kasbah, Tangier’s first concept store is a delight. Putting a contemporary spin on traditional Moroccan style, the eclectic stock includes clothing, accessories, original art, housewares, and cosmetics. They promote Moroccan design, from Hassan Hajaj lampshades to couture clothing from Noureddine Amir and Fadila El Gadi, as well as Las Chicas' own designs. A pretty upstairs café serves delicious cakes, quiche, and other light bites, and there's a ground-floor gallery space.

The vibrant boutique of this eponymous French designer and stylist is filled with richly embroidered evening dresses and multihued silk caftans, all hand-sewn by Tangier’s finest tailors. Other chic accessories include hats, shoes, jewelry, and housewares. The high prices reflect the quality.

There are stacks of handwoven carpets from all corners of the country for sale here, along with singular green-glazed ceramics unique to Tamegroute in southern Morocco. International shipping is available.

If you don’t know a Beni Ouarain rug from a Boucherouite, this store is the place to come. Sip a mint tea as vintage and contemporary rugs from around the country are unfurled in a kaleidoscope of colors; don’t forget to haggle.

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.

The small cooperative workshop produces high-quality goods that are beautiful and inexpensive, including hand-painted wood boxes, weavings, original art, and leatherwork.

At this government-sponsored crafts center, rug weavers, leatherworkers, woodworkers, and jewelry designers create and sell their wares. Prices are fixed but the quality is excellent, and there can be a certain value in not having to haggle. It's closed Sunday. 

Tucked away down a medina street (close to Dar Manara guesthouse), this bijoux jewelry store stocks one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces in both classic and contemporary designs. Items are handcrafted in sterling silver and adorned with semiprecious stones from Morocco, the Middle East, and as far afield as Asia.

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 interesting gallery specializes in contemporary and art brut (art created outside academic traditions), with exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media from up-and-coming and established Moroccan artists. The gallery has three locations around Tangier, and this one is tucked behind the Petit Socco.

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. 

Handcrafted carpets, blankets, and throws are piled floor to ceiling at this friendly cooperative, from colorful kilims to abstract Azilal rugs; you can even watch the families making them. Bargaining is expected, and all purchases can be shipped internationally. Tucked down a narrow derb near the Bab el-Ain, the co-op can be tricky to find, so ask a local.

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. 

Opposite the Café Centrale, the colorful Volubilis Boutique has been in business since 1972, stocking handmade leather boots, shoes, and bags for both men and women, as well as traditional clothes with a Western twist. Ask the friendly owner, artist Mohamed Raiss el Fenni, to show you his delicate watercolor and highly original ice-cream stick paintings.  The shop closes for lunch.