16 Best Shopping in The Southern Atlantic Coast, Morocco

Walk through a nondescript passageway into a classic 19th-century riad and you'll find the Coopérative Artisanale des Marqueteurs, whose members have been turning out finely decorated boxes, ornaments, tables, and other furniture since 1948. Everything has a tag with the artisan's code number and reasonable fixed prices. At the end of the month, the craftspeople collect their income, and a small proportion goes to the upkeep of the building and the running of the co-op. You won't find tour groups here as guides get no commission, making it a tranquil place to stop and admire decades of craftsmanship.

For serious collectors, this shop has one of the best collections of Amazigh jewelry in southern Morocco, some of it dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Even if you're not in the market for a trinket, wandering around the dusty rooms of carpets, candlesticks, and charms makes for a diverting half hour. And if you are in the market, Mr. Houssaine accepts all major credit cards and is open every day.

Hafida welcomes all her customers with a smile and offers a keenly curated selection of Morocco-made jewelry, leather bags, shoes, small paintings, and other decorative items.

Offering a wide range of quality Moroccan-made items at fixed prices near the Lebanese mosque, the store features modern twists on classic crafts such as Fez leather bags, glazed ceramics, oversize candles, and Sens de Marrakech cosmetics. It's owned by two brothers who speak excellent English and are happy to advise on purchases without being pushy.

This low-pressure jewelry store sells Saharan and Amazigh silver jewelry.

Located next to the Lalla Zninia Spring, this large jewelry shop showcases new and old Amazigh jewelry, as well as artisans at work. Also for sale are carpets, pottery, and other Moroccan crafts.

Essaouira's only concept store is located near Bab Sbaa and offers a range of clothing, jewelry, accessories, organic argan oil, and small decorative items. Products are designed locally by Moroccan and international designers. This is the closest you'll get in Essaouira to the modern design stores of Marrakesh.

Amid dozens of other Ali Baba–cave-style shops in the Essaouira medina, La Fibule Berbère is one of the oldest and one of the few that accepts credit cards. The shop displays stunning jewelry, such as huge silver pendants, fibules (clasps for attaching pendants and closing shawls), and bulky necklaces made in the Amazigh and Toureg styles.

With a great range of carpets and other artisanal goods, this place is worth a visit if you feel the need for souvenirs. Although the area isn't well-known for carpet making, Mohammed and his team are happy to explain the different types of rugs from various regions.

Not to be confused with the excellent Maison Traditionelle museum in Oumesnat, the Maison Touareg is a bazaar, carrying a nice selection of regional Amazigh carpets.

Shopping at this store in the medina gives you the chance to pick up craft items with a conscience and support locals, as a percentage of the profits goes to Project 91, a charity that helps young Souiris (natives of Essaouira) improve their lives through job training and other activities. Some items, including paintings, prints, handwoven textiles, bags, gifts, and accessories, are made in the neighborhood or by co-ops, which benefits locals. Project 91 also runs Dar 91 ( dar91.com), three serviced apartments for visitors. 

For an emporium of carpets, ceramics, leather, lanterns, and ornate boxes, visit Palais du Sud. Behind the golden doors, all goods have price tags, which makes buying hassle-free. It's closed Sunday. 

Located away from the souk, Trésor du Sud has an enormous showroom of high-quality handcrafted Amazigh jewelry. In addition, the workshops allow you to see the silversmiths in action. Carpets and other Moroccan crafts are also for sale. This is not the cheapest jewelry showroom in town, but you can pay with a credit card.

This shop in the medina offers a range of handmade items from all over Morocco and the Sahara, including mirrors, jewelry, leather bags, and small pieces of furniture. The kettle is always on, and you'll eventually be invited to join in for a cup of sweet mint tea to seal your deal.