Where to Go Shopping in Essaouira: Ultimate Local Guide

Not sure where to go shopping in Essaouira? If so then you have come to the right place.

I am a local who has lived in Essaouira since January of 2023. I have often walked the charming blue and white streets of the Medina many times.

I can safely say that I know where all of the best shops in Essaouira are: magical places where you can shop for cool souvenirs in Essaouira that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

I love shopping in Essaouira because many of the items for sale are of better quality and the prices are cheaper than what you’ll find in the souks of Marrakech.

Additionally, the streets of Essaouira are A LOT calmer and friendlier. So, I find the entire shopping experience to be much more relaxed and fun in Essaouira.

But, if you’re not sure where to go shopping in Essaouira or what to buy in Essaouira then this local guide is for you! I am going to share all of my best tips and tell you exactly where to go so that you can make the most of your time in Essaouira.

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Where to go Shopping in Essaouira

Most people do their shopping in the Medina. There are many cool places to shop here and Essaouira versus Marrakech shopping is much easier IMHO.

In particular, some of the best streets in Essaouira for shopping include Avenue Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah for traditional Essaouira souvenirs, Avenue Oqba Ibn Nafiaa, and Rue Skala.

TBH, many of the shops in Essaouira are similar and sell a lot of the same things to buy in Essaouira. However, here are my picks for some of the best places to shop in Essaouira if you want cool souvenirs from Morocco.

• Raffia Craft Shoes – This store sells fun and funky kicks that are made of Raffia (it’s kind of like straw). A pair will probably cost around 200 Dirhams and makes for a unique Essaouira souvenir that you probably won’t find anywhere else. It’s a great place to go to get accessories for your Essaouira wardrobe.

• Salam Boutique Atelier – This is a cute little souvenir shop that sells amazing, Moroccan-inspired tote bags. I bought it myself and the quality was amazing. I can’t remember exactly how much I paid but I think it was between 80 and 100 Dirhams during my very first day in Essaouira.

• Galerie Jama – If you’re looking for a vintage Berber rug or a funky modern Moroccan rug then this is the place to go. They also have an array of vintage clothes, cool furniture pieces, and exquisite baskets. Prices are a bit high since everything is authentic and high-quality. So, explore this three-story store and find some cool stuff to take home.

• L’Atelier Cafe and Boutique – This cafe/boutique shop sells some really super chic souvenirs and home goods that you’ll want to take home with you. Again, prices are a bit high but you can find sleek laptop cases, fun blankets, cool pillows, and more. Prices are fixed and you can take a cooking class in Essaouira afterward since this is one of the best things to do in Essaouira.

• Atelier de Tissage Omar Bahja – This is a great place to go to get wonderful, high-quality blankets for between 150 and 500 Dirhams. The quality is great and they have blankets available in lots of cool colors and styles. The staff also won’t hassle you and will just let you look around the store at your leisure.

• Calligraphy Amazigh – Amazigh is a unique language that is used in many rural parts of the country. This unique shop sells prints and bags made using the Amazigh language, which is completely different from Arabic. So, have a look around and visit L’Espirit Cafe afterward since the two shops are right next door to one another. I honestly have not seen anything like this anywhere else in Morocco and think it’s one of the coolest souvenirs in Essaouira. It’s also well-located near some of the coolest riads in Essaouira.

• Centre de la Bijuteria Artesanal – Founded in 1908, this unique cooperative is the place to go for silver jewelry hand-crafted by disabled locals. The quality of the pieces is epic and the owner is super nice and happy to help you with anything you need. I got an authentic Amazigh ring here and absolutely love it. I also think the prices are very fair and it’s located near some of the cool bars in Essaouira.

• Wood Souk (Behing Skala de la Ville) – This is the place to go for anything made out of wood. Highlights include furniture, spoons, table decor, and anything else you can think of. You can actually find some Essaouira hotels here since this part of Essaouira is safe.

• Cooperative Al Yakout Li Raffia – This is a local women’s cooperative where artisans create a wide array of vibrant accessories out of raffia. Shop in Essaouira for everything from shoes to bags to bread baskets to Babouches to sandals. Prices are also reasonable and nothing will cost more than 380 Dirhams.

Map of the Best Places to Go Shopping in Essaouira

How to Haggle in Essaouira

Like in most of Morocco, haggling is a way of life in Essaouira. So, if there isn’t a set price listed then your best bet is to haggle.

I know this process can make a lot of people uncomfortable but it is just a part of the shopping culture in Essaouira and most of Morocco.

However, there are some places where you can’t haggle, like the Carrefour (supermarket), hammams in Essaouira, Essaouira cafes, and restaurants in Essaouira.

But, in most small stores where prices aren’t listed, you can haggle. Heck, even if the price in a shop is written out, I would still try to haggle since you might be able to get a better deal.

The same goes for tours and food stalls in the Medina since you can usually get a better price if you haggle.

I like to start at 50% of the asking price and go up from there. I know this is quite low but it gives me plenty of wiggle room to negotiate the price down.

Most locals love to haggle and enjoy the process. But, try to be fair and remember that the goal is to get the best price possible for you and the seller.

So, don’t go to the other extreme and try to get a 300 Dirhams tour for 10 Dirhams. Moroccans work really hard and need to be compensated fairly for their work.

Some other tips for haggling and shopping in Essaouira are:

• Double-check the price with your hotel first – When I first moved to Morocco I would get bread for breakfast and they charged me 10 Dirhams per piece. I thought nothing of it until my boyfriend told me it should cost 2 Dirhams. So, if you want to buy something in Essaouira then ask your hotel what it should cost. A lot of local vendors like to charge you more for things since you are a tourist.

• Buy in Bulk – You can always get a better deal on Essaouira souvenirs if you buy a few at the same time.

• Shop Around – When I first moved to the city it was winter. So, I needed a scarf. I decided to shop around and got the best price possible since every store charges a different price. I also like window shopping since it’s a fun free thing to do in Essaouira.

• Always Check the Quality – Just because something is cheaper doesn’t mean it’s better. Always check the quality of things you buy in Essaouira before you make a purchase. We did this when we were shopping for a giant backpack and are so glad we waited since some of the luggage we saw for sale was very poorly made.

• Don’t Accept the First Price Offered – Haggle, haggle haggle! The first price you’re quoted is usually three times higher than what it should be. I start at 50% of the asking price and go open from there.

• Keep a Neutral Face – Don’t look super excited about getting a great deal because then the vendor will know that you’ll pay more. Keep your face neutral so that he has no idea what you’re thinking and so you can get the best price.

• Don’t Be Rude – Even if you don’t want something or think the price is way too high, always be kind and smile. If someone is pushy just say, “no thank you” and they should back off.

• Count Your Change – I haven’t had a huge problem with people not giving me the correct change back, but it’s always worth checking since people can make honest mistakes. I do this all the time when I buy something along the beach in Essaouira.

• Know the Exchange Rate – The best things to buy in Essaouira are sold in Dirhams. So, be familiar with conversion rates and know what you’re paying for something in your local currency. As of now, 10 Dirhams = USD $1.00.

Do I Need Cash When Shopping in Essaouira?

Yes, you absolutely so need cash when shopping and doing most things in Essaouira. Morocco is still very much a cash-based society, so I would carry cash at all times.

Yes, some bigger stores and restaurants will accept card payments, but many smaller businesses and shops will not. So, carry cash and always ask before you buy something to see if they accept payment by credit cards.

FYI, you’ll also need cash to pay for some hotels and hostels in Essaouira as well as brunch in Essaouira too. You’ll also need cash if you decide to visit the markets in the countryside and enjoy one of the neat day trips from Essaouira.

When are the Best Stores in Essaouira Open?

Most stores in the Medina are open between 10:00 am and 9:00 pm daily. However, hours can vary from shop to shop.

If you are visiting Essaouira during peak season (i.e. July and August) then you may want to start shopping at 10:00 am since this is when local boutiques and souks will be less crowded.

Most stores in the Medina tend to be open during Ramadan, although some do close. I was literally just in Essaouira for Ramadan and it was quieter than Marrakech but there were definitely. people around and stores/restaurants open.

Additionally, all stores will absolutely be closed during Eid al-Adha. So, this would not be the best time to visit Essaouira for shopping. Honestly, everything is closed during this holiday so don’t visit Essaouira then.

What to Buy in Essaouira?

Some of the best things to buy in Essaouira include:

• Essaouira t-shirts/hoodies – My partner has a cool Nirvani shirt with the Nirvana logo on it. I thought it was a typo at first but it’s a cool play on words since Nirvani means “angry” in Moroccan dialect.
• Rugs and blankets
• Spices
• Amlou/Olives/Harissa
• Jewelry (silver, but do check the quality)
• Scarfs – They are so big they are kind of like mini-blankets. But, I got one and the quality was so good that someone in Fes offered to buy it off me. I think I paid 100 Dirhams for it and love it so much.
• Ceramics (plates, bowls, mugs)
• Metalwork (teapots)
• Woodwork (bowls, candleholders, ornaments, furniture, trays)
• Bohemian-style clothes
• Argan oils (a beauty product and cooking product
• Straw bags and baskets
• Local art
• Black soap
• Shoes
• You can also stop by Domaine du Val d’Argan and pick up some wine since this vineyard is a great place to get alcohol in Essaouira.

How to Get Your Essaouira Souvenirs Home

TBH, a lot of the suitcases in the Medina are not of great quality. Yeah, my partner and I had to do a lot of shopping for a backpack before we left for Turkey and were unimpressed with the quality of the bags and rolling bags in the Medina.

We eventually went to a small, second-hand store near Carrefour that sold us an amazing secondhand backpack.

However, if you just need a bag to take extra Essaouira souvenirs home with you then the luggage in the Medina should be okay for one-time use. Just don’t expect to find anything amazing that will last forever.

Your other option if you did a bit too much shopping in Essaouira is to use the post office to mail things home. The staff at the post office are lovely and will be happy to help you.

However, if you buy in bulk from one shop then they may be able to ship things home for you.

That wraps up this guide to the best places to shop in Essaouira. I hope you now know what to buy in Essaouira and can bring home some cool souvenirs.

If you liked this post, sign up for our email list and Facebook group for even more awesome Morocco travel tips.

Finally, please consider buying me a coffee. It’s a great way to say “thank you” for all the free content you receive. No amount is too small and anything you can give will be greatly appreciated.