Moroccan Crafts

Middle Atlas Mountains

Plush, cream-colored wool rugs with minimalist black or brown geometric patterns. Woven by women of the Beni Ourain tribe in the Middle Atlas.

Azilal Province, High Atlas

Colorful, expressive rugs with free-form abstract designs on a cream wool base. Known for bold pinks, yellows, and blues.

Various regions, Morocco

Recycled textile rugs made from fabric scraps, rags, and clothing remnants. Wildly colorful and eclectic.

Various regions, Morocco

Flat-woven rugs without pile, featuring bold geometric patterns in rich earth tones or vibrant colors. Lighter and more portable than knotted rugs.

Taznakht, Ouarzazate

Two-textured rugs combining flat-weave kilim sections with knotted pile sections, creating a tactile contrast. Typically in earth tones.

Fes

Intricate pierced brass lanterns and pendant lamps that cast elaborate star and geometric shadow patterns. Iconic Moroccan lighting.

Fes

Traditional Moroccan tea service including an engraved teapot, tray, and small glasses with brass holders. Central to Moroccan hospitality.

Fes, Marrakech

Decorative hand-shaped door knockers featuring the Hand of Fatima (khamsa) or geometric designs. Traditional riad architectural element.

Tamegroute, Draa Valley

Rustic green-glazed pottery from the oasis village of Tamegroute. The distinctive olive and emerald glaze is produced using manganese and copper from local mines.

Fes

Hand-cut geometric mosaic tiles in vivid colors, assembled into intricate patterns. The defining decorative art of Moroccan architecture.

Safi

Brightly painted ceramics with blue, yellow, and green motifs on white backgrounds. Morocco's main center of painted pottery production.

Safi, Fes, Marrakech

Ornate painted ceramic tagines sold as decorative objects. Distinguished from functional cooking tagines by their painted glaze, which is not food-safe at high temperatures.

Fes

Mirrors framed with hand-cut zellige tile mosaic in geometric star and diamond patterns. Functional art that brings Moroccan architecture home.

Fes, Marrakech

Traditional pointed-toe leather slippers, backless and lightweight. The quintessential Moroccan footwear worn daily by men and women.

Marrakech

Round stuffed leather floor cushions, typically hand-stitched with embossed or embroidered geometric patterns. One of Morocco's most exported craft products.

Fes, Marrakech

Handmade leather bags ranging from small crossbody pouches to large travel satchels. Often feature embossed or tooled geometric and floral designs.

Fes

Cylindrical flat-topped red felt hat with a black silk tassel. An iconic symbol of Moroccan and Ottoman cultural heritage.

Fes, Marrakech

Shimmering cushion covers with geometric or abstract embroidered patterns. Made from sabra (cactus silk), a fiber extracted from agave plants.

Middle Atlas

Cream-colored wool blankets adorned with rows of sequins and metallic thread. Traditionally draped over the bride during Amazigh wedding ceremonies.

Essaouira

Decorative boxes carved from thuya wood burl, featuring natural grain patterns and often inlaid with other woods, mother-of-pearl, or brass wire.

Essaouira

Hand-turned chess sets with board and pieces in thuya and lemon wood. The contrasting light and dark woods create a striking board.

Fes, Azrou

Aromatic Atlas cedar panels with deeply carved geometric and arabesque patterns. Used architecturally in traditional riads and mosques.

Essaouira, Souss

Cold-pressed oil from the nuts of the argan tree, used for skin, hair, and nail care. Morocco is the only significant source in the world.

Tiznit, Anti-Atlas

Traditional Berber silver jewelry including fibulas, bracelets, necklaces, and headpieces. Features geometric motifs, enamel work, and coral or amber insets.

Kelaat M'Gouna, Dades Valley

Distilled water from Damask roses, used in cooking, skincare, and traditional ceremonies. The Dades Valley produces Morocco's finest rose water.

Fes, Marrakech

Large engraved brass trays paired with folding wooden legs, functioning as both serving trays and side tables.

Fes, Marrakech

Lightweight throws and blankets woven from cactus silk (sabra) fiber, with fringed edges and rich jewel-tone colors.

Fes, Marrakech

Hand-tooled and embossed leather belts with geometric or floral patterns, often with brass or silver buckles.

Various regions

Handwoven baskets made from palm leaf, straw, or doum palm, often decorated with leather, wool, or sequin embellishments.

Fes, Marrakech

Traditional urn-shaped copper or brass cooking vessels used for the Marrakchi tangia dish. Slow-cooked in the embers of a public hammam furnace.

Fes, Sale

Long hooded robe with intricate hand-embroidered trim around the neckline, front closure, and cuffs. Morocco's traditional outer garment.

Fes, Safi

Decorative and functional wash basins with traditional Moroccan painted patterns. Popular for riad-style bathroom renovations.

Various regions

Henna paste cones and stencils for temporary body art. Includes natural henna powder, application tools, and traditional pattern guides.

Marrakech

Smaller pierced metal lanterns designed for candles or tea lights, often in colored glass and brass or iron.

Various regions

Traditional olive-based black soap paste used in Moroccan hammam rituals. Dark brown to black, with a thick, spreadable consistency.

Various regions

Rough-textured mitt used in Moroccan hammam rituals to scrub and exfoliate skin after applying black soap.

Tiznit, Essaouira

Delicate openwork silver bracelets made from fine twisted wire soldered into intricate patterns. A specialty of southern Moroccan silversmiths.

Marrakech, Fes

Handmade notebooks and journals with tooled or embossed leather covers, often with hand-sewn binding and handmade paper.

Middle Atlas

Mineral-rich cleansing clay mined from the Middle Atlas mountains, used as a hair and skin wash in hammam rituals.

Various regions

Unglazed or simply glazed terracotta tagine designed for actual cooking. The conical lid returns condensation to keep food moist.

Various regions

Large, warm-toned beads made from a blend of amber resin, copal, and aromatic ingredients. Sold as necklaces or loose beads.

Various regions

Morocco's signature spice mix, meaning 'head of the shop' — the shopkeeper's best blend. Contains 10–30+ spices including cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and rose petals.

Chefchaouen, Ouazzane

Heavy hand-loomed wool djellabas in natural brown, cream, or gray stripes. The classic mountain garment of the Rif and Middle Atlas.

Fes, Marrakech, Chefchaouen

Reclaimed or newly made wooden doors and panels hand-painted with traditional Moroccan geometric and floral motifs.

Marrakech

Mirrors framed in hand-hammered brass, copper, or nickel silver with embossed or engraved decorative patterns.

Erfoud, Sahara

Polished stone objects containing real fossils (ammonites, orthoceras, trilobites) carved into plates, bowls, and decorative objects.

Various regions

Small, colorful glass cups decorated with gold or silver painted motifs, essential for the Moroccan mint tea ceremony.

Fes, Rabat

Long, flowing formal garment lavishly decorated with hand-embroidery, beading, and metallic thread. The quintessential Moroccan formal wear.

Fes, Marrakech

Decorative objects, boxes, and jewelry carved from camel bone, often dyed and inlaid into wooden furniture or sold as standalone pieces.

Taznakht, Ouarzazate

Richly colored flat-weave and pile rugs from the Taznakht region, known for deep saffron yellows, burgundy reds, and indigo blues with geometric patterns.

Sale, Kenitra

Handwoven chairs, tables, and garden furniture made from wicker, rattan, or palm frond. Lightweight and distinctive.

Fes, Marrakech

Ornate pierced brass vessels designed for burning bakhoor (wood chip incense) or resin. Central to Moroccan hospitality and religious practice.

Fes, Marrakech

Small to medium pierced brass lamps designed to sit on tables, desks, and shelves. Cast intricate shadow patterns on surrounding surfaces when lit.

Fes

Hand-hammered copper drinking vessels, often tinned on the interior for food safety. Used for water, juice, and buttermilk (lben).

Southern Morocco, Draa Valley

Curved ceremonial daggers with ornate brass, silver, or bone-handled sheaths. A symbol of Amazigh heritage and traditional dress.

Marrakech, Taroudant

Hand-forged iron candle holders and candelabras with twisted, scrolled, and hammered decorative elements. Rustic Moroccan lighting.

Fes

Large decorative brass plates with hand-engraved arabesque, geometric, and calligraphic designs. Used as wall art or under-plates.

Safi, Fes

Large, wide ceramic or wooden serving platter used for presenting couscous communally. Painted versions feature traditional Moroccan motifs.

Fes, Safi

Individual decorative tiles painted with traditional Moroccan geometric or floral motifs. Used as coasters, trivets, wall art, or souvenirs.

Safi, Marrakech

Large terracotta or painted ceramic pots for gardens, patios, and riad courtyards. Range from plain terracotta to elaborately painted or Tamegroute-glazed pieces.

Fes, Marrakech

Small leather goods including wallets, coin purses, and card holders, often embossed with geometric or arabesque patterns.

Marrakech, Essaouira

Open-toe strappy leather sandals in various styles, from simple flip-flops to elaborate gladiator designs. Distinct from closed-toe babouches.

Marrakech, Fes

Cotton or cotton-wool blend blankets with rows of hand-tied pompoms along the edges or woven into stripes. A modern Moroccan textile staple.

Various regions

Flat-woven cotton towels traditionally used in the hammam. Thin, fast-drying, and versatile — used as towels, beach wraps, scarves, or tablecloths.

Fes, Sale, Meknes

Linen, cotton, or silk tablecloths and runners with delicate hand-embroidery in traditional Moroccan geometric patterns.

Essaouira, Azrou

Bowls hand-turned from thuya burl, olive wood, or walnut on traditional lathes. Showcases natural grain patterns. Used decoratively or for serving.

Fes, Marrakech

Intricately assembled wooden lattice screens made from small turned wooden dowels fitted together without nails or glue. Traditional privacy screens.

Various regions

Pendants and charms in the shape of the khamsa (hamsa) hand, believed to protect against the evil eye. Made in silver, brass, or base metal.

Southern Morocco, Sahara

Geometric silver cross pendants in styles associated with Saharan Tuareg culture. Each design is named after a town or oasis along the trans-Saharan trade routes.

Various regions

Large circular frame drum with a goatskin head and snare strings across the back. The most common percussion instrument in Moroccan traditional music.

Essaouira, Marrakech

Three-stringed bass lute with a carved wooden body covered in camel or goatskin. The signature instrument of Gnawa spiritual music.

Taliouine, Souss-Massa

Hand-harvested saffron stigmas from the Taliouine region, the world's second-largest saffron producer after Iran. The most expensive spice by weight.

Khemisset, Meknes

Distilled water from bitter orange (bigarade) blossoms, used extensively in Moroccan pastries, beverages, and skincare.

Various regions

Flat woven table mats and trivets made from dyed palm leaf or straw, often in colorful geometric patterns.

Various regions

Wide-brimmed sun hats woven from palm leaf or straw, often decorated with colorful pompoms, tassels, or embroidery.

Fes, Marrakech

Oil-based perfumes and fragrance blends sold in small ornate bottles. Based on traditional Middle Eastern and North African attar perfumery.

Fes

Round or square tables with tops made from hand-cut zellige tile mosaic in geometric star and polygon patterns, mounted on wrought iron or carved wooden legs.

Fes

Freestanding or wall-mounted courtyard fountains with hand-cut zellige tile mosaic on the basin and back panel. Centerpieces of traditional riad gardens.

Safi, Marrakech

Small, affordable hand-painted ceramic ashtrays in traditional Moroccan patterns. One of the most ubiquitous and budget-friendly souvenirs.

Fes, Marrakech

Large multi-arm ceiling chandeliers in pierced brass, often with colored glass panels. Statement lighting for dining rooms, riads, and hotels.

Marrakech

Decorative cut-metal stars, crescent moons, and sun shapes for wall display. Available in brass, tin, and painted iron.

Essaouira, Marrakech

Heavy iron castanets used in Gnawa spiritual music, producing a loud rhythmic clacking sound. Pairs of hinged metal clappers played in each hand.

Middle Atlas, High Atlas

Heavy hand-loomed wool blankets in natural cream, brown, and gray stripes. The everyday warmth blanket of Atlas mountain communities, distinct from decorative handira wedding blankets.

Various regions

Lightweight woven scarves and shawls in cotton, wool, or blended fabrics, often with tassels or fringed edges. Among the most popular tourist purchases for their portability.

Marrakech, Fes

Decorative cushion covers in various styles: sequined, embroidered, patchwork, or woven. Distinct from sabra/cactus silk cushions. A staple of Moroccan interior decor.

Fes, Marrakech

Handmade leather backpacks in classic rucksack or drawstring styles, often with embossed or tooled decoration. A popular practical souvenir.

Essaouira, Azrou, various

Hand-carved cooking spoons, spatulas, salad servers, and cutting boards made from Moroccan olive wood. Prized for the wood's tight grain and natural beauty.

Marrakech, Chefchaouen

Small colorful painted wooden tables, stools, shelves, and cabinets in traditional Moroccan patterns. Popular riad decor and tourist purchases.

Tiznit, various

Traditional necklaces made from red, orange, or pink coral beads, often combined with silver, amber, or glass beads. Significant in Amazigh jewelry traditions.

Various regions

Goblet-shaped hand drum with a ceramic or metal body and a synthetic or goatskin head. Smaller and more portable than the bendir.

Fes, Tetouan

Pear-shaped fretless stringed instrument with a short, bent neck and a rounded back made from strips of wood. The ancestor of the European lute.

Various regions

Handmade scented soap bars crafted with olive oil, argan oil, and natural botanicals like rose, orange blossom, lavender, and eucalyptus. Distinct from black soap (savon beldi).

Various regions

Finely ground mineral eye cosmetic applied with a thin stick (mirwed), sold in small ornate containers. One of the oldest cosmetics in human history.

Various regions

Dried Chinese gunpowder green tea and fresh or dried spearmint leaves for making traditional Moroccan mint tea (atay). The national drink.

Various regions

Tiny leather keychains, bookmarks, and coin pouches in babouche, khamsa, or camel shapes. The cheapest and most portable Moroccan souvenir.