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SHOPPING
Essaouira is absolutely packed with characterful little shops
selling pretty much everything that you can get in Marrakech
(leatherwork, metalwork, lampshades,
pottery, jewellery, fabrics, carpets),
but
at a much more laid back pace.
There are also a few local
specialities such as argan oil products and exquisite marquetry
articles made of thuya wood. Apart from the
spice souk, you won’t normally be hassled, although you will be
expected to bargain unless you are in a shop with marked prices.
Unlike Marrakech there aren't any main areas dedicated to a
particular product - the whole medina is like a huge colourful
craft market. The best way to find what you want is to just
wander around - there are surprising discoveries to be made in
unlikely areas or behind narrow unassuming doorways. If you
can't see exactly what you want and have a few days to spare,
ask if the shop will accept commissions. The shops listed below are just a very
small selection, chosen for price, quality or because they sell
things which are slightly out of the ordinary:
Chez Aïcha Poterie Bérbère
Place Marché aux Grains
Tel:0 (0 212) 5 24 47 43 35
A cut above the average selection of pottery, homewares and argan oil
products
Chez Aziz
Km8 Route d’Agadir (8 km to the south of Essaouira on the Agadir
road)
Tel:
0 (0 212) 6 66 01 46 07
Palm-rope and wood furniture, terracotta lampshades etc.
Chez Maki
No 221 Souk Laghzal (the fish and spice souk)
Tel:
0 (0 212) 5 24 47 30 90
A good selection of marked-price pottery on two floors, plus spices and argan oil
Dar Zelliges
Rue Mohammed Ben Abdellah
(on the right at the end furthest from Place Moulay Hassan)
Website:
http://darzelliges.free.fr
Guesthouse with shop selling high quality zellige (mosaic) mirrors, tables fountains etc.
Also has a little workshop opposite
La Cantina restaurant.
Décor Bérbére
Rue Boutouil (next to La Cantina)
Designer lamps, candles and other decorative items
Ensemble Artisanale
Bab Marrakech
(opposite L’Heure Bleu Palais)
Rather
sleepy collection of craft workshops
and galleries
Espace Afoulki
33 Rue d’Agadir
(along the lane from Elizir restaurant)
Tel:
0 (0 212) 6 66 16 65 17
Website:
www.ass-afoulki.org
Lampshades in original designs
Fortune Bérbère
Place Marché aux Grains (next to Au Bonheur des Dames)
Website:
www.arganbiohouse.com
High quality argan oil
products
Galerie Aïda
2 Rue de la Skala
Tel:
0 (0 212) 5 24 47 62 90
Berber jewellery and a range of items from all over Morocco, plus new and secondhand books.
Galerie La Kasbah
4 Rue Tetouan
Tel:
0 (0 212) 5 24 47 56 05/0 (0 212) 6 61 20 71 45
Characterful old riad packed with architectural salvage, antiques, rugs, pottery
the
Gallery
19 Rue Moulay Ismail
Tel:
0 (0 212) 6 67 96 53 86
Out of the ordinary clothes, accessories and artworks. By
appointment only.
Gipsy Surfer
14 Rue de Tetouan
Tel:
0 (0 212) 5 24 78 32 68
Surf and beach wear
Iliass Aziz
8 Rue de la Skala
(opposite Les Alizés restaurant)
Tel:
0 (0 212) 6 70 72 46 53
Henna designs on goatskin and other original artwork.
the Jewellery souk
On the junction of Avenues El Quori and L’Istiqal
High quality silver jewellery
Kifkif
Place du Marché aux Grains
Tel:
0 (0 212) 6 61 08 20 41
Website:
www.kifkifbystef.com
Clothes, accessories and gifts
Poupa Litza
135 bis av. Mohamed el Qouri
Recommended in The Time travel supplement for 'beautiful &
super-trendy hand-made bags & accessories from French fashion
designer'
Taros Gallery
2 Rue Skala
(just off Place Moulay Hassan)
Tel:
0 (0 212) 5 24 47 64 07Website:
www.taroscafe.com
Art, clothes and gifts
Villa Maroc Gallery
10 Rue Abdellah Ben Yassin
Tel:0 (0 212) 5 24 47 61 47Website:
www.villa-maroc.com
Art, clothes and gifts |