8 Best Shopping Spots in Meknes

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.

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.

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.