One of the joys of visiting Morocco’s red city is discovering artisan shops tucked throughout the medina’s web of alleys and lanes. Handicrafts from lanterns, clay cookery to beautiful rugs are in abundance for those with the patience and willingness to negotiate in the souks. But a shopping scene beyond the tourist-heavy interior offers fixed prices, beautiful clothes, and one-of-a-kind home décor, much of it found along the burgeoning design-forward lane of Dar El Bacha. Cut through the noise with this handy guide to the best shopping in dreamy Marrakech.
Les Nomades de Marrakech, Bennahid N°40 Marrakesh, Derb Zaouiat Lahdar (near The son of Joseph School)
Scoring a beautiful, handmade rug in Morocco is the holy grail of shopping, and like it or not, negotiation is part of the game. So take this advice: have fun; spend two or three days looking at rugs; don’t feel pressure to buy immediately. In fact, shop owners will hold rugs while you think them over. To that latter point, the experience at Les Nomades de Marrakech is so good, the El Fenn hotel sends its guests there. Owner/manager Abderrahim Namous sits with prospects, tirelessly requesting staff to pull rugs while customers sip mint tea. The multi-generational family-owned business wants you to find the perfect piece. They sell traditional Berber village designs, both contemporary and vintage. If you don’t feel like visiting a million stores, spend a few afternoons in multi-story Les Nomades, make a choice, then wait for that special package to arrive in the mail once home.
Topolina, 134/114 Dar El Bacha
The diminutive clothing shop sells bold, tribal-inspired pieces attractively displayed against vibrant yellow walls. The owner designs, cuts, and manufactures pieces in Morocco. Coats and tops in brightly-hued prints come fit for men and women, though patterned shoes are especially dandy. Shop locations in Brussels and Barcelona, too.
Laly, 137 Dar El Bacha
Ready-to-wear women’s fashion in beautifully tailored silhouettes is the focus at Laly. From wool to silk, the raw materials are high quality, died in bright hues from fuchsia-purple (a Pantone inspiration) to cobalt blue. Sleek suede handbags with colorful graphic stitching and flowy dresses fit for a night of wine on a rooftop terrace, combine for a perfect outfit in a pinch.
Max & Jan, 14 Rue Amsefah
This is the shop hipsters from Brooklyn flock to when swinging through on the way to an electronic music festival. Lots of accessories like jewelry, handbags, babouche slippers plus pretty scarves and caftans fit for Westerners to don back home. Everything is designed in Morocco with youthful pan-bohemian style. Take a coffee or mint tea break in the café.
Hotel El Fenn, Derb Moullay Abdullah Ben Hussain
A gorgeous hotel with rooms that inspire wedding night (or tawdry affair) fantasies also has one of the best retail shops in town. The prices prove higher than elsewhere – they always are at hotels – but the quality is excellent and hey, it’s still cheaper than Manhattan. Find beautiful velvet caftans trimmed in black, thick blankets, attractive pottery plus rugs styled after the black-and-white patterned pieces in the rooms. Don’t miss a drink on the terrace at dusk.
KE’CH Creation, D. El Maâden near Dar El Bacha
Down a little lane, find Swiss owner Carla manning her tiny shop, likely sewing something. Her designs swing different from the striking colors employed in neighboring shops; rather, she looks towards calming neutral tones, whites and blues, and uses fabric texture to create interest in her feminine but practical pieces. Clothes and accessories are made locally with women artisans including from the women’s association Al Kawtar.
La Maison des Babouches, Souk el Kebir N. 274
Whether you believe old granddad out front is truly sewing the shoes these days, it’s for certain the leathers and dye jobs are done nearby. The selection and quality at La Maison are unparalleled, though it’s still a souk shop, not Gucci. Spend a few days looking around before buying if you need to be convinced, otherwise walk in confident you’ll snag some of the loveliest slippers in the city for a song. Negotiate hard though quality is superior to its competitive set.
Hanout Boutique, 194 Rue Mouassine
A small shop with stunning women’s pieces. Modern caftans, tunics and beautiful jackets at fair prices despite the designer’s keen eye for cut and color. The highlight here, however, is the buttery-soft leather jackets adorned with vintage Berber jewelry. There’s nothing else like it in the city. Prices are so good, you’ll check the tag twice.
Riad Tarabel, Dar El Bacha, 8 Derb Sraghna
After all that credit card swiping, be sure to book downtime in a hammam. While there are an array options in a city obsessed with its trademark cleansing ritual, the best place to relax in privacy is at Riad Tarabel near the shopping mecca of Dar El Bacha. This French-Moroccan boutique charmer exudes relaxation with its blue walls and romantic flower sprays,the hard-to-find location giving an air of secrecy. Get soaked, steamed, rinsed, exfoliated, and massaged before resting in the atrium with a tea beneath the skylight. Of course, the best course of action post-treatment is to book a room for the night.
