Rabat Shopping

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There are several markets to visit. Just off Hassan II avenue is the Municipal Market, has vegetables, fruit and herbs/spices. The medina of course which are best on Sundays. Near the University is the Agdal Market (off Av des Dades. There are also several local markets at Sale (on Av de 11 Janvier) on a Thursday, Bouznika on Friday, Temara on Saturdays and Bouknadel and Skhirat on Sundays.

The Jalaba or Jellabas is a traditional dress of Morocco. It is more like an robe or overcoat with a hood. Both men and women wear the Jalaba but can be different colours and materials. The Jabador is a two piece outfit.

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The Souq is located in the Old medina. If you are walking along Mohammed V and after you cross rue Hassan II you'll come to Marche Cenral, few meters later to your right will be Rue Rue Souika to your right. The souq has shops selling all kinds of stuff for the locals.

If you are looking for souvineres you should go to Rue Des Consuls. It is called that way becasue in the 19 th century deplomates used to live in this area. To get to it walk in Rue Souika and You'll reach it. You'll recognize it from the iron roof as you see it in the 2nd picture. There are few carpet shops along this road plus the other stuff for tourists.

Your other option for gifts and souviniers is Ensemble Artisanal which is located behind the Rue des Consuls, just opposite to the Ouedaia. It is very close to the Rue Des consuls, if you have any difficulties just ask.

Finding old book about morocco is not so easy elsewhere but easy in morocco. You can find some very good books. There are 2 used bookshops I know of in Rabat.

One of them is Libraries Dakhair Al-Maghreb (see the picture). It has books in Arabic and French. It is the best place in terms of organization and knowledge. Here you can find old books about morocco not found elsewhere. It is located near Bab Alhad, on Rue Lebnane, off Rue Al Maghreb Al Arabia. 037 20 89 59, mobile 067 32 03 07.

The other book shop is English book shop, 7 Rue Al yamamah, behind the train station 037 706 593. Mostly used English books. As soon as you exit the train station turn right, and then turn right immediately on Rue Baghdad. Walk parallel to the train tracts to the end and turn left before you get to the city walls. Walk 20 meter and you'll see rue Al yamamah on you left hand.

You other option is Darb Ghallaf in Casablanca, see my Casablanca shopping tips

Souk is Arabic for market, and I think markets are the best places for shopping. Not only for souvenirs but this is where the local people shop for their daily needs so there's clothing, fresh fruit, electronics - just about everything you need.

What to buy: Fresh dates are one of my favourite fruits, so I always buy some.

What to pay: Don't forget to bargain!

The main shopping area for local craft is located in southwestern part of the medina close to the Grand Mosque and along Rue Souika and Rue des Consuls close to their junction. There are a few smaller covered shopping streets there.

Usually a few neighbouring shops sell the same kind of goods: pottery, silver jewelry (oposite to the Grand Mosque), copperware etc. In contrast to, say, the medina in Fes, there are not many places to see local craftmen at work on streets of Rabat's medina.

What to buy: I paid attention to some ceramics and some strange in shape, old looking, metal or copper pots and containers.

What to pay: Depends on your time, patience and bargaigning skills :-)

A few shops (suques) in the medina, especially close to the Grand Mosque, offered some unique (at least for me) local or... fake local craft.

What to buy: Urszula liked a lot thick pieces of wood with Arabic patterns and inscriptions carved and painted on both sides. They reminded me wooden pages (manuscripts) of very old books but the pages were not flat but a bit round in shape. I have no idea what was that but looked interesting, indeed. Well, maybe it's a copy of old Koranic manuscript.

What to pay: Depends on your time, patience and bargaigning skills :-). Excuse, I had no time to do that and the first price is no price.

There are numerous shops (suques) selling local or... fake local craft along main streets of the medina: Rue Souika and Rue des Consuls, especially close to their junction. It's a touristy shopping area.

What to buy: I paid special attention to iron or metal round and square lamps put on the ground in front of some shops.

What to pay: Well, I even asked about the price of one lamp, Urszula liked most ($40 or so). But, you know, it takes at least 30 min. of busy bargaigning to receive the last price (maybe $15 or $ 20 ?). Being a bit in a hurry I skipped it.