Things You Can Only Buy in Morocco

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The leather in Morocco is highly unique and tanned in a way that hasn’t changed in centuries. As you may know, the most famous tannery is the Chouara Tannery in Fez. The leather is worked in a truly traditional way that keeps it as authentic as possible. You can get leather slippers, bags, jackets, wallets, belts and much more.

Argan trees grow in the south region of Morocco, so it is definitely the place to buy argan oil and ensure that it is as natural as possible, made in the traditional Berber way. Moroccans use argan oil for culinary and cosmetic reasons, and although it is widely famous for its benefits on all kinds of hair, it is also extremely efficient on acne and skin in general.

Lanterns make for great souvenirs, as they instantly remind you of the beauty of Morocco thanks to their detailed features. They can be found in most markets in Morocco and come in different sizes, shapes and materials. Beware of the aluminium ones, however, as they bend easily and might be a hassle to transport. The heaviest ones might be more expensive but are definitely worth it.

Have you seen those bright, red rugs and those black-and-white carpets with sequins on them in Pinterest photos? Those are actually handmade in Morocco. Here, you can find them at cheaper prices – you must haggle, of course – and even watch the process of their making. Rug shops usually have a wide range of carpets on display and can even customise them and ship them to your home. So, et ready to do some bargain hunting in Morocco for these beautiful rugs and carpets!

These baskets originated in the Sahara and are always handmade and extremely colourful. Modern Moroccans stopped using them, but recently, riads have started including them in their traditional decor, making them trendy again among the young community. They are very cheap and easy to transport.

The pottery you will find in Morocco is truly magnificent, and you’ll only find it here. These hand-painted ceramics come in all shapes and forms, colours and sizes. They are the perfect gift to give to relatives, as they sit nicely in any house as decor. Just make sure to pack them carefully, as they are known to break in suitcases.

Of course, you cannot leave Morocco without a djellaba, a Moroccan dress for both men and women. For women, they usually come in a variety of colours, materials and patterns. Locals have their pieces custom-made, choosing their own piece of cloth. Men, however, have a limited choice. As their hobbies don’t usually include fashion, most of the time they buy ready-made djellabas from a shop in very neutral colours, such as black, olive or grey.

These bags have been used by Moroccans for centuries, and you can get them anywhere in the Kingdom. They were initially used by women who went to the souks; they would put their products in them instead of carrying numerous bags. You can watch women make them by hand at main squares, where they often include leather handles, pompoms or other decorative elements.

Babouche means slipper in French and is widely known as such in the Kingdom. They’re also known as belgha. Slippers are traditional Moroccan shoes, worn for centuries by men, women and children. They come in all colours, materials, patterns and shapes. The prettiest ones are vibrant and can be worn everywhere. You can find them in markets in Morocco and some shops.

Tea, and more specifically mint tea, is a big deal in Morocco, so you can imagine that anything relating to tea is of equal significance – from how fresh the mint is to the sweetness. How you present the table to your guests is the most important, with detailed teapots and gorgeous teacups. They come in a lot of vivid colours, just like everything else in Morocco, with stunning handmade decorations that will impress your guests.

The best Moroccan pastries are msemen (square-shaped pancakes), batbout (similar to pitta), harcha (pan-fried semolina bread) and baghrir (Moroccan pancakes), among others. You won’t be able to get these anywhere else in the world or at least nothing nearly as good as the ones made by Moroccan women. They are definitely a must-try in the Kingdom, and they go perfectly with a glass of fresh mint tea.

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