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Shopping Guide
8 Best Shopping Spots in Meknes
Morocco's most underrated shopping city — damascene metalwork, imperial olive oil, and authentic crafts without the tourist markup.
Shopping Essentials
Signature craft: Damascene metalwork
Best food buy: Meknassi olives & olive oil
Best prices in Morocco: Medina souks
Unique to Meknes: Local wine from vineyards
1
Place Lahdim Market & Souk Entrance
Traditional Market 5–1,000 MAD Spices, olives, general crafts
The main square of Meknes — a vast open plaza dominated by the monumental Bab Mansour gate, surrounded by cafés and market stalls. Place el-Hedim (Lahdim) is the equivalent of Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fna but calmer, smaller, and more manageable. The market stalls along the square's edges sell dried fruits, nuts, spices, olives, and souvenirs at fair prices. The entrance to the medina souk is through the archway on the northeast side — from here, the covered markets branch through the old city. The Meknassi olive sellers are the highlight: Meknes sits in Morocco's premier olive-growing region, and the olive stalls display 10–15 varieties at 15–30 MAD/kg. The olive oil is superb: cold-pressed, green-gold, with a peppery finish (30–60 MAD per liter — some of the best oil in Morocco at the lowest prices). Spice sellers on the square offer ras el hanout at 50–80 MAD/kg — among the cheapest in Morocco. The food stalls in the evening serve brochettes, harira, and grilled meat at local prices (15–30 MAD per portion). The view of Bab Mansour (Morocco's most ornate monumental gate, built 1732) from the square is spectacular — especially when lit at night. The square is the natural orientation point for any Meknes shopping expedition. Open daily, busiest late morning and evening.
Insider tip: Taste the olives before buying — every seller has different varieties and preparations. The "olives meslalla" (dry-cured with salt and sun) and the "olives cassées" (cracked green with garlic, lemon, and herbs) are Meknes specialties unavailable elsewhere
2
Damascene Metalwork Workshops
Craft Specialist 50–3,000 MAD Silver-inlaid brass plates, boxes, jewelry
Meknes's signature craft — the ancient art of damascene (inlaying silver wire into brass). The workshops near Bab Mansour and in the medina produce some of the most intricate metalwork in Morocco. Damascening involves cutting fine grooves into a brass surface, then hammering thin silver wire into the grooves to create geometric or floral patterns. The contrast between the golden brass and the silver inlay creates stunning decorative effects. Products: decorative plates (200–2,000 MAD depending on size and complexity), serving trays (300–3,000 MAD), small boxes (100–500 MAD), picture frames (150–800 MAD), and jewelry (rings, bracelets, pendants — 50–500 MAD). The craft is labor-intensive: a large plate can take 2–3 weeks of daily work. The best workshops welcome visitors — watching the artisans hammer silver wire with tiny hammers requires extraordinary patience and precision. Few cities still practice damascene work at this level — Meknes, along with Damascus (Syria) and Toledo (Spain), is one of the last centers. Custom pieces are possible: discuss your design, choose the base object, and pick it up in 1–2 weeks (or have it shipped). The workshops are in the medina near the Bou Inania Medersa. Prices are fair — the labor involved justifies the cost. Quality check: run your finger over the inlay — it should be flush with the brass surface, smooth and firmly embedded.
Insider tip: Commission a small damascene box with your initials — the artisan will cut and inlay the letters in silver wire while you watch. It takes 1–2 hours, costs 100–200 MAD, and makes a one-of-a-kind personalized souvenir
3
Medina Souks (Souk Sebbat & Souk Nejjarine)
Traditional Souk 10–2,000 MAD Leather, textiles, babouches, djellabas
The covered souks of the Meknes medina — a network of market streets that radiate from Place Lahdim into the residential quarters. Meknes's souks are smaller and calmer than Fes or Marrakech but equally authentic and significantly cheaper. Souk Sebbat (the shoe souk) specializes in babouches: the selection is smaller than Marrakech but the prices are 30–50% lower (babouches 40–100 MAD per pair). Souk Nejjarine (the carpenters' souk) has woodworking shops producing carved boxes, furniture, and utensils — simpler than Fes woodwork but good quality at low prices (cedar box 30–150 MAD). The textile souks sell djellabas (150–500 MAD), kaftans (200–1,500 MAD), and embroidered textiles — Meknes embroidery is distinctive, using geometric cross-stitch patterns in deep red, blue, and green. The leather shops sell bags (80–300 MAD), belts (40–100 MAD), and jackets (300–1,000 MAD). The souks are primarily local: you'll be one of few tourists. Shopkeepers are friendly and unhurried — expect genuine conversations about their craft. Bargaining is gentle and starting prices are fair. The medina is manageable: the main artery from Place Lahdim to Bab Berdieyinne is walkable in 15 minutes, with side lanes branching into specialized areas. Best in the morning when all shops are open.
Insider tip: Ask for the Meknes-style embroidery workshops (specifically "tarzi meknassi") — the cross-stitch technique is distinct from Fes or Rabat embroidery, and a hand-embroidered cushion cover costs 50–150 MAD directly from the workshop
4
Olive Oil & Wine Region
Food & Drink 30–200 MAD Olive oil, wine, local food products
Meknes sits at the center of Morocco's premier agricultural region — the Saïs plain produces the country's best olive oil and the surrounding hills support Morocco's finest vineyards. For olive oil: the cooperative shops in the ville nouvelle (Avenue des F.A.R. and surrounding streets) sell cold-pressed extra-virgin oil from local olives at 30–60 MAD per liter — arguably Morocco's best olive oil at its lowest price. Taste before buying: Meknassi oil has a distinctive peppery, grassy character with a clean finish. For wine: Morocco's best wineries surround Meknes. Château Roslane (25 km south, visit by appointment) produces excellent reds and rosés. Domaine de la Zouina (35 km southeast) offers tours and tastings. Les Celliers de Meknès (Morocco's largest producer) has a showroom in the city. Wine prices at the source: 50–200 MAD per bottle for quality reds (equivalent wines cost 150–400 MAD in Marrakech restaurants). The ville nouvelle has several wine shops that sell the full range of Moroccan wines. For other food products: local honey (50–100 MAD/jar), dried fruits, and harissa paste. The Meknes food scene is understated but excellent — the combination of olive oil, wine, and agricultural bounty makes it Morocco's most underrated food city.
Insider tip: Visit a Meknes wine shop and ask for "Cuvée du Président" by Les Celliers de Meknès or the Château Roslane red — these are Morocco's finest wines, cost 80–150 MAD per bottle, and make excellent gifts for wine-loving friends
5
Bou Inania Quarter Crafts
Artisan Quarter 20–1,000 MAD Ceramics, metalwork, carpets
The craft quarter around the Bou Inania Medersa — Meknes's finest medieval building, surrounded by small workshops and craft shops. The Bou Inania Medersa (entry 20 MAD) is a 14th-century theological college with exquisite carved stucco, zellige tilework, and cedarwood screens — it provides context for the craftsmanship you'll see in the surrounding shops. The quarter has workshops producing: pottery (simple, functional pieces — plates 15–50 MAD, bowls 10–30 MAD, tagines 30–80 MAD), metalwork (brass and copper items, including the damascene work described above), carved cedar (boxes, picture frames, small furniture), and leather goods. The workshops are small, family-run, and welcome visitors — the artisans are proud of their work and happy to demonstrate techniques. Prices are the lowest of any imperial city: a ceramic plate that costs 100 MAD in Fes sells for 30–50 MAD here. A cedar box that costs 200 MAD in Marrakech is 60–100 MAD in Meknes. The quality varies — the finest pieces are comparable to Fes, while everyday production is simpler but functional. The quarter is quiet and atmospheric: carved doorways, narrow lanes, and the sound of hammering from workshops. Best visited in the morning when artisans are working. Combine with the medersa visit for a comprehensive craft experience.
Insider tip: Ask at the Bou Inania Medersa entrance about current restoration workshops — the medersa is periodically restored by master craftsmen using traditional techniques, and watching them carve plaster or lay zellige is a rare privilege
6
Ville Nouvelle Shopping
Modern Retail 50–3,000 MAD Fashion, bookshops, supermarkets
Meknes's French-built new town — a grid of tree-lined streets with colonial architecture, local boutiques, and practical shops. Avenue Hassan II is the main commercial street: fashion boutiques (local and international brands, 100–2,000 MAD), pharmacies with French cosmetics, patisseries with French-Moroccan pastries, and bookshops. The Acima supermarket on Avenue des F.A.R. has a souvenir section with packaged spices, olive oil, argan products, and Moroccan food at fixed prices — useful for last-minute gifts. The ville nouvelle has a calm, provincial character: wide sidewalks, café terraces, and a pace of life that reflects Meknes's identity as a relaxed, livable city. For books, the bookshop on Avenue Hassan II has a small but good selection of French-language books about Morocco and the Meknes region. The town is flat and walkable — pleasant for a morning or afternoon of modern shopping. Prices are fixed. The ville nouvelle connects to the medina via Avenue Moulay Ismail — the walk passes through the imperial city walls and the Heri es-Souani (massive royal granaries). Best on weekday mornings when shops are open.
Insider tip: Stop at the Acima supermarket for packaged Moroccan food gifts at fixed prices — the olive oil, spice boxes, and date assortments are identical quality to what you'd find in the souk, but pre-packaged and 20% cheaper than tourist shops
7
Mellah Market (Jewish Quarter)
Local Market 5–200 MAD Spices, produce, household goods
The market of Meknes's historic Jewish quarter — a quiet, atmospheric neighborhood that once housed one of Morocco's largest Jewish communities. The mellah (near the Royal Palace) has a distinct character: the streets are wider and straighter than the main medina, the houses have exterior balconies (unique to Jewish quarters), and the Star of David motifs are still visible on some doorframes. The market stalls sell everyday goods: produce, spices, olives, bread, and household items at the lowest prices in Meknes. The mellah market is completely untouristic — you'll likely be the only foreign visitor. The atmosphere is quiet and neighborly: shopkeepers know their customers by name. Spice prices are particularly low (ras el hanout 40–70 MAD/kg). The historic Jewish cemetery (free entry, ask at the entrance) is one of the largest in Morocco — rows of white-painted tombs stretching across a hillside, a moving testament to the community that lived here for centuries. The mellah connects to the imperial city walls and the Dar el-Ma (water palace) — both worth exploring. Access: walk from Place Lahdim (10 minutes south) or taxi from the ville nouvelle (10 MAD). Best in the morning when the market is active.
Insider tip: Visit the mellah cemetery at sunset — the white tombs catch the golden light, the silence is profound, and the view across the imperial walls to the green Saïs plain is one of Meknes's most peaceful and moving panoramas
8
Pottery Workshops (Route d'El Hajeb)
Ceramics Workshop 10–500 MAD Functional pottery, garden ceramics
The pottery workshops on the road south of Meknes toward El Hajeb — a cluster of family workshops producing functional ceramics: tagines, water pitchers, flower pots, and garden decorations. Meknes pottery is less decorative than Fes or Safi — the focus is on sturdy, functional pieces for everyday cooking and garden use. The workshops welcome visitors: watch potters throw clay on kick-wheels, shape tagines by hand, and load kilns with hundreds of pieces. The products are affordable: cooking tagines (20–60 MAD), water pitchers (15–30 MAD), flower pots (10–50 MAD), garden lanterns (30–100 MAD), and larger decorative pieces (100–500 MAD). The pottery is unglazed or simply glazed — the natural terracotta color and texture are the aesthetic. Cooking tagines from these workshops are what Moroccan families actually use (the elaborately painted ones in tourist shops are mostly decorative). The workshops are along the R706 road, 5–10 km south of the city (taxi 15–20 MAD). Several workshops have roadside showrooms. Bulk buying is welcome and negotiable. The drive passes through olive groves and farmland — pleasant in itself. For the best experience, ask a taxi driver to take you to the "potiers" (potters) — they know the workshops. Best in the morning when the kilns are firing and the workshops are active.
Insider tip: Buy an unglazed cooking tagine and ask the potter to show you how to season it — soak in water overnight, rub with olive oil, then slow-cook onions in it for 2 hours. A properly seasoned Meknes tagine cooks better than any expensive glazed version
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I buy in Meknes?
Meknes's signature buys: damascene metalwork (brass inlaid with silver wire — a craft unique to Meknes), Meknassi olives (the Meknes region produces Morocco's finest olives and olive oil), embroidered textiles (Meknes has its own embroidery tradition), pottery from the local workshops, and wines from the surrounding vineyards (Château Roslane, Domaine de la Zouina). Meknes is Morocco's least touristic imperial city, so prices are genuine and shopkeepers are relaxed — expect to pay 40–60% less than Marrakech for equivalent crafts.
Is Meknes cheaper than Marrakech for shopping?
Significantly — Meknes receives a fraction of Marrakech's tourist traffic, so prices start lower and bargaining is more relaxed. A leather bag that costs 500 MAD in Marrakech might be 200–300 MAD in Meknes. Carpets are 30–50% cheaper. Spices are 40–60% cheaper. The shopping experience is also more pleasant — shopkeepers are genuine craftspeople rather than professional sellers, and the atmosphere is friendly rather than pressured. Meknes is one of Morocco's best-kept shopping secrets.
What is damascene metalwork?
Damascene (or damascening) is the art of inlaying metal — typically, fine silver wire hammered into grooves cut in a brass or copper base. The result is intricate geometric or floral patterns in silver on a brass background. Meknes is one of the few remaining centers of this ancient craft in Morocco. Products: decorative plates (200–2,000 MAD), trays (300–3,000 MAD), boxes (100–500 MAD), and jewelry (50–500 MAD). The best workshops are near the Bab Mansour gate. Watch the artisans hammer the silver wire into the brass — the skill and patience required is extraordinary.