After dozens of trips through Morocco’s medinas, I’ve developed a fairly strong opinion about what’s worth buying and what isn’t. I’ve bought things I regret (a painted plate that cracked in my luggage) and things I treasure (a cedar wood box from a carpenter in Tetouan that still smells faintly of the workshop). This guide reflects all of that — honest, specific, and designed to save you money and regret.
Leather Goods: Morocco’s Crown Jewels
Moroccan leather — particularly from Fes — has been world-famous for centuries. The tanneries of Fes are still producing leather by hand using methods that are essentially medieval, and the quality of the finished goods reflects genuine craft. What to look for:
- Babouche (leather slippers): The classic souvenir. Men’s, women’s, and children’s styles available. Genuine leather has a distinctive smell and slight unevenness; plastic imitations are unnervingly perfect.
- Leather bags and satchels: Quality varies enormously. Check stitching, zipper quality, and whether the handle is reinforced. A well-made bag from a Fes tannery cooperative should last years.
- Leather poufs: Beautiful, but shipping is expensive. Some shops offer to ship internationally — factor this into your budget (check if it’s a potential affiliate link service).
Where to buy: Fes tannery area cooperatives (ask to see the tannery view first — it’s spectacular). In Marrakech, avoid the souk’s first alleys (tourist prices); go deeper.
Argan Oil: Buy It Right or Don’t Bother
Morocco produces the world’s supply of argan oil, but not all argan oil sold to tourists is genuine. Diluted products, low-grade cosmetic oil sold as culinary grade, and outright counterfeits are common. Here’s how to buy correctly:
- Buy only from women’s cooperatives — they’re legally certified, ethically run, and the products are genuine. Look for the cooperative certification sign.
- Culinary argan oil (for cooking, darker, nuttier) and cosmetic argan oil (for skin and hair, lighter, odourless) are different products. Make sure you know which you want.
- Price check: genuine culinary argan oil runs roughly 150–250 MAD per 250ml from a cooperative. Anything significantly cheaper warrants scepticism.
Ceramics and Pottery
Moroccan ceramics are extraordinary — the blue-and-white ware from Fes, the multicoloured geometric pieces from Safi, and the terracotta tagines from the south all deserve space in your luggage (and careful wrapping).
- Fes blue-and-white ceramics: Traditionally painted by hand with cobalt glaze. The best pieces have irregular brushwork — imperfection is authenticity. Machine-stamped tourist versions are uniform and cheap-looking up close.
- Zellige tile work: Individual hand-cut tiles make stunning souvenirs and are available in small decorative pieces. Weight is the main issue.
- Tagine pots: Functional and beautiful. Check for cracks. A traditional Berber terracotta tagine (unglazed, brown) is more durable for actual cooking than the decorative glazed versions.
Spices: The Best Value Purchase in Any Medina
Ras el hanout, the complex blend that might contain 20 or more spices depending on the spice merchant, is perhaps the single most useful thing you can bring home from Morocco. It’s available everywhere but quality varies hugely.
- Buy at market stalls frequented by local cooks, not at tourist-facing souk fronts.
- Ask to smell before you buy. Good ras el hanout should be complex, warm, and faintly floral. Cheap versions smell flat.
- Saffron: Morocco produces genuine saffron, but counterfeits abound. Genuine saffron has deep red threads, releases colour slowly in water, and is never dirt cheap. If it seems too cheap, it probably isn’t real saffron.
- Dried rose petals (from the Dades Valley) make beautiful, fragrant gifts and pack flat.
Textiles: Blankets, Djellabas & More
- Wool blankets (handira): Traditional Berber wedding blankets with sequin detailing. Heavy but extraordinarily beautiful. Authentic handiras are handwoven and irregular; machine-made versions are uniform.
- Djellaba: The traditional hooded robe worn by men and women. Wearing one in Morocco feels entirely natural; back home, it makes a great house robe. Quality varies from synthetic tourist versions to beautiful hand-sewn wool ones.
- Caftan fabrics: Sold by the metre in the fabric souks of Fes and Marrakech. If you know a tailor at home, this is a fantastic buy.
What NOT to Buy
- Fossils and minerals: Many sold in tourist areas are fakes (resin casts). Real ammonites and trilobites are available but require knowing what you’re looking at.
- Animal products: Avoid anything made from protected species. This includes some traditional items using skins or feathers that may be restricted to import into your home country.
- Cheap “antiques”: The supply of genuine antiques in tourist areas was exhausted long ago. Most “antique” items are new pieces artificially aged.
Packing and Shipping Tips
- Ceramics: wrap each piece individually in clothes, place in the centre of your bag surrounded by soft items. Consider buying a small roll of bubble wrap in a local hardware store.
- Liquids (argan oil, rose water): carry in your checked luggage in sealed, leak-proof bags. Many cooperatives will wrap bottles in vacuum-sealed packaging on request.
- Carpets and rugs: shops that sell larger pieces will often arrange shipping. Verify the shipping service and get a receipt. (This may involve a referral fee for the shop — factor this in.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is haggling expected in all shops?
In traditional souks, yes. In fixed-price shops (cooperatives, boutiques with marked prices), no. Read the room — if the vendor gives a price without hesitation and doesn’t invite negotiation, it’s likely fixed.
Should I declare purchases at customs?
Check your home country’s customs limits. Most tourist purchases fall well within duty-free allowances, but carpets and large items may be subject to import declarations.
Is argan oil allowed in hand luggage?
Liquid restrictions apply — 100ml or under in hand luggage for most international flights. Pack larger quantities in checked bags.
Final Thoughts
Morocco’s souks reward patience, curiosity, and a willingness to slow down. The best purchases come from wandering down an unplanned alley and spending time talking to an artisan. Don’t rush the shopping — it’s part of the experience itself.
For the negotiation side of things, read our Haggling in Morocco guide. And if you’re wondering about carpets specifically, our Moroccan Crafts Guide covers what to look for and how to avoid overpaying.
Suggested photos: (1) Argan oil cooperative women cracking argan nuts — alt: “Women’s argan oil cooperative Morocco”; (2) Fes blue and white ceramics display — alt: “Fes blue white pottery Moroccan ceramics souk”; (3) Colorful spice market display close-up — alt: “Moroccan spice market ras el hanout saffron”
