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Essaouira Shopping

Poterie Bab Marrakesh, Essaouira - Essaouira
Poterie Bab Marrakesh, Essaouira
by suvanki
Go shopping in Essaouira with recommendations, reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and locals.
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Cooperative Artisanal des Marqueteurs: pretty and useful items in fragrant Thuya wood
  • Tip Rating:
  • angiebabe
  • Updated By angiebabe on March 27, 2007
  • Essaouira Page by angiebabe
  • some lovely marquetry boxes - & take the lamp too! - Essaouira
    some lovely marquetry
    boxes - & take the lamp
    too!
    by angiebabe,
    1 more photos
    Vast array of items in lovely thuya wood - good quality workmanship and a wide choice - all at fixed prices. Some prices were lower than seen elsewhere and very reasonable, especially when converting into sterling, but some prices such as the lamp i bought my moroccan friends thought were much more expensive than shouldve been.

    Beautiful jewellery boxes of all sizes and decorative styles - such as alternate wood inlays or mother-of-pearl or lovely streaked or speckled gnarl well polished.
    Trays of varying sizes and shapes and styles, lamps, coasters, tables,
    all sorts and all beautiful!! and with that lovely fragrant scent of thuya!

    The jewellery boxes in my selection were between 300 and 340 dirham. The table lamp was 375 dirham. lovely single pen boxes were only 3 dirham. a rather nice tray i bought was only 50 dirham. there is such an array of items with an array of prices!

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Address: 6 Rue Khalid ibn Oualid
  • Directions: Heading from the Skala du Port into the medina the first main square is Place Moulay Hassan, just along a bit further past the Taros Cafe and Cafe Faid and just before Pattisserie Driss is the large sign of the Cooperative Artisanal left into an alleyway.
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    numerous galleries around: interesting local art makes interesting souvenirs
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  • angiebabe
  • Updated By angiebabe on March 31, 2007
  • Essaouira Page by angiebabe
  • art from Essaouira - Essaouira
    art from Essaouira
    by angiebabe, 4 more photos
    the lonely planet suggested that of course lovelly locally made thuya marquetry items make lovely souvenirs with the work reputedly the best in Morocco but that a better idea might be a painting by one of the local artists.

    When roaming around one can certainly see that there is plenty available with several gallery shops around and many souvenir shops with paintings clearly available for sale.

    Near the covered passageway up to the Skala de la Port we noticed a shop with some interesting looking pieces around the entrance and went in to check it out.

    We spent over half an hour in this guys shop ending up being enticed by this and that and then it takes time doing the haggling stuff.
    We both found some pieces that we liked that we thought would not only be souvenirs depicting what was special to us about Essaouira but also that it was providing some sort of income input to the area and hopefully the artiste that we bought of.

    Unfortunately up on the ramparts there were guys painting pictures for sale that we and i like better actually than a piece id bought in the gallery and these guys' were better priced as well.
    so why not just buy all of it! almost did i think but i am happy with the pieces i got and provides a bit more of morocco to have at home in England, New Zealand or Australia.

    i was able to haggle for two pieces of a woman artist i think copying a style that i saw in an actual art gallery but i really liked her two pieces that didnt have the evil eye depicted all over it, for 140 dirham. then a larger painting together with leather art piece also for 250 dirham. and then up at the north bastion we got some small but cute blue and white paintings for 50 dirham each and then another painter up near him i loved his very colourful paintings of women having tea - he wouldnt haggle or budge from his price of 100 dirham each. i eventually got money from the ATM and went back and bought them. All a bit more expensive than my moroccans thought i should have paid when showed them later but no regrets!

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  • Theme: Art
  • Directions: around the streets of the Essaouira medina - gallery shops, many souvenir shops and individual painters going about their craft on the street and walkway sides
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    Shops and street stalls in the medina: BARGAINING is a great fun :-)
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  • matcrazy1
  • Updated By matcrazy1 on September 4, 2006
  • Essaouira Page by matcrazy1
  • SHOPPING ON THE STREET - Essaouira
    SHOPPING ON THE STREET
    by matcrazy1
    If you don't want over-pay (hmm... what does it mean?) you must bargain. The first price is always higher than the real last price, sometimes even twice higher. Natives are real artists of bargaining and great observers of their foreign customers. So, look at them and learn haha.


    A few advices:

    1. Never hurry up, be patient and always keep smiling :-), keep in mind that shopping in Morocco takes more time than eating in France :-)

    2. Try to be the first consumer in the morning (especially on Monday); some locals believe that the first good deal makes them good luck for the rest of a day/week thus they are ready to lower price more that time.

    3. Try not to use English language, use French or Spanish or better none LOL. One of the first question is: where are you from. The highest price - not only the first one - is given for English speaking, American tourists especially. Natives think they are rich and can pay much more. Well, in the past Russian worked well but it changed...

    4. Never pay special attention to the item you really want to buy - the natives are perfect observers.

    5. If you buy more items be twice more patient and ask a seller to lower price again and again.

    6. Do not refuse if they want to give you a tea (usually mentha tea with a lot of sugar) or something else to drink, be patient.

    7. Never say in words or in your face that the price seems attractive to you.

    8. If you are satisfied with your shopping give the seller a small gift: a cigarette, pen, sticker (label) etc. They love it. Optionally you can take a picture with your seller and ask him for an address to send the picture. Warnings:
    - the address will be mostly written in Arabic letters,
    - be sure that your picture will be displayed in a street stall/shop.
    Anyway, next time you will be a special costumer. They have a very good memory for faces of their customers.

    HAVE A GOOD FUN AND HAPPY SHOPPING :-).

    Local craft - do enlarge my picture, please.

    Less than you can even imagine :-).

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: In the old town - the medina.
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    Apacray ? Art co operative: Thuya Wood
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  • suvanki
  • Updated By suvanki on February 15, 2008
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  • Handicrafts Co Operative Essaouira - Essaouira
    Handicrafts Co Operative
    Essaouira
    by suvanki
    Thuya trees are unique to this area, the fragrant wood is used in all manner of craftwork. Marquetry work is of a high standard, whether in tables or gift boxes.

    This co operative has an area where the craftsmen can be observed working on the various stages of creating their works of art.

    The large showroom has examples of Thuya wood work, from pieces of furniture to small key rings etc. There are also other examples of local art such as paintings.

    Thuya wood marquetry work

    wooden boxes

    coffee tables

    jewellery

    Prices are fixed, so you can get a good idea of what to pay in other shops, or buy here, where there's a wide selection of quality goods.

    I paid 20dh for a Thuya Wood bangle. (2005)

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  • Theme: Local Craft
  • Directions: In Place Moulay Hassan, on the right hand side with the harbour behind You.
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    Street stalls: Traditional local craft
  • Tip Rating:
  • matcrazy1
  • Updated By matcrazy1 on September 4, 2006
  • Essaouira Page by matcrazy1
  • LOCAL WOODEN ITEMS - Essaouira
    LOCAL WOODEN ITEMS
    by matcrazy1
    There are a lot of stalls on tourist trails/streets od Essaouira open since early morning till dusk. The exhibitions of wood works are quite impressive.

    Local wooden handicraft like drums, plates etc. The first prices seemed very attractive for me - lower than in other destinations in Morocco.

    Bargain, bargain, bargain. Good luck :-).

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  • Theme: Local Craft
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    Street stalls: Not so traditional local craft
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  • matcrazy1
  • Updated By matcrazy1 on September 4, 2006
  • Essaouira Page by matcrazy1
  • LAMPS - Essaouira
    LAMPS
    by matcrazy1
    Unfortunately Essaouira becomes more and more a tourist trap referring to local handicraft. There are a lot of not so traditional local products on sale there.

    Look at my picture, please. I saw a number of lamps, in metal (which was very, very rusty) or in thin leather. Just a few examples of not so local craft but... if you like it, why not to buy one?

    Bargain, bargain, bargain. Good luck :-).

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  • Theme: Local Craft
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    Argan fruit
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  • JLBG
  • By JLBG on May 16, 2004
  • Essaouira Page by JLBG
  • Essaouira Shopping
    by JLBG
    The argan is looking like an olive but while in the olive, the flesh is pressed to get oil, in the argan, the stone is hand broken and crushed to get argan oil. Lot of work ! Women cooperatives are now preparing and selling argan oil which has become a ''fashionable'' oil

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  • Theme: Local Craft
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    All over Essaouira: Paintings
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  • suvanki
  • Updated By suvanki on February 15, 2008
  • Essaouira Page by suvanki
  • Paintings, Essaouira - Essaouira
    Paintings, Essaouira
    by suvanki
    Essaouira attracts artists from around the world, either those who've decided to settle here, permanantly, or for a few months, or holidaymakers, who like to dabble.
    Many of the shops in Essaouira sell the paintings/ drawings, or you can buy from the artists 'in situ'
    If you don't want to haggle, try one of the government run co - operatives.

    The Association Tilal des Arts Plastiques (Rue de Caire) features new artists. This is run by Hamid Boutali, who's famous for his satirical cartoon post cards, which can be spotted around Essaouira.

    Also check out the old style travel posters depicting Morocco.

    Street Scenes /costumed people in oils, water colours

    Hamid Boutali cartoons

    Travel posters (I paid 100dh- but I didn't haggle- you can probably buy for 50 - 75 dh)

    From very cheap (post cards) to more expensive (large original oil paintings)

    Depends on size of painting and your haggling skills!

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  • Theme: Art
  • Address: All over Essaouira
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    It's Not Marrakech!
  • Tip Rating:
  • Sean1901
  • By Sean1901 on July 5, 2003
  • Essaouira Page by Sean1901
  • TYpical Essaouira Street - Essaouira
    TYpical Essaouira Street
    by Sean1901
    Shopping in Marrakech for the uninitiated can be a daunting experience to say the least. My tip is window shop to your hearts content in Marrakech, but do your actual shopping in Essaouira. For a start it's cheaper, but it's also a lot more relaxed. You do not eexperience the high pressure techniques of the Marrakech souk, and you're less likely to be ripped off.

    Essaouira is justly famous for its wooden goods. Lacquered boxes of all sizes are an excellent buy, as are wooden picture / photoframes. It's also a good place to buy the ubiquitous babouches, the Moroccan slipper.

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  • Theme: Local Craft
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    Argan Oil
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  • suvanki
  • Updated By suvanki on April 19, 2009
  • Essaouira Page by suvanki
  • Argan oil Olive Oil and Amlou to taste Essaouira - Essaouira
    Argan oil Olive Oil and
    Amlou to taste Essaouira
    by suvanki,
    2 more photos
    I've visited this Co-Operative on both my visits to Essaouira. Each time I have bought a bottle of Argan Oil.

    The Co-operatives in this area have been established to give economic and social benefits to the women of this rural area, and also to preserve the ecology and economics of the area.

    The one I visited employs widowed or divorced women, who would normally have very little income.
    Some Co-operatives provide literacy classes, and promote life skills.

    Now, the short tour is geared for tourists, and there is a promotion of the goods produced for sale - but I still buy at least one item when I visit. There is usually a good talk from one of the co-operative women about the process of gaining the oil, then a tasting session.

    Production of Argan oil is labour intensive, with much of the process being done by hand.

    Berbers have used the oil for centuries, for culinary and cosmetic purposes. They have claimed its medicinal benefits for years, and these claims now have scientific evidence to qualify this.

    Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E Omega 6 Oleic acid linocleic acid and is a monounsaturated fat.

    Cosmetic use - moisturiser for skin, hair and nails- either as oil alone or in soaps and creams.
    helps reduce scarring and wrinkles.

    Medicinal - anti inflammatory, lowers cholesterol, vaso-dilator and blood clot reduction, improves the immune system.

    The oil is expensive but a little goes a long way. I prefer to buy my oil etc from these Co-operatives as I know that I am buying the genuine article.
    It hasn't been unknown for traders, especially on roadside stalls in the area to sell argan diluted with olive oil, or even olive oil with paprika added to give the characteristic red tinge.

    Also, buying here means that money is going towards the women who work here.

    Please see my Things to do tips for more info on argan oil and its production

    Argan oil (culinary)

    This can be eaten on toast, it has a slight nutty flavour, added to tagines, used as salad dressing etc. It is probably better used cold, as heating destroys the flavour.

    I've read that drinking 2 tbs of this oil for a month helps lower cholesterol, but studies are still ongoing, so not scientifically proven yet.

    Argan oil (cosmetic)

    This has a more neutral scent. It can be used as a facial moisturiser - to reduce wrinkles and soften the skin, nail massage to strengthen nails soften cuticles and hands, for dry brittle hair, a small amount massaged into the hair and scalp 1/2 hour prior to shampooing improves its condition. Massage oil to relieve painful joints.

    Amlou- a spread made from almonds, argan oil and honey, which is eaten particularly at breakfast, spread on toast.

    Soap, moisturising creams etc.

    From a few euros upwards. I think I paid 8 euros for a small bottle of argan oil.

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  • Theme: Food and Drink
  • Address: Tiguemine Argana, Essaouira to Marrakech road
  • Phone: (212) 61553507/ gsm 072911024
  • Directions: This co-operative was on the Essaouira - Marrakech road on the left hand side, about 15km outside Essaouira
  • Other Contact: margane22@hotmail.com
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