Discovering...
Shopping Guide
Rabat Shopping Guide
Capital city crafts: hand-knotted Rabat carpets, Salé blue-and-white pottery, leather bookbindings, and the calmest souk shopping in Morocco.
Quick Tips
Prices: 15–25% cheaper than Marrakech
Best time: Morning (9 AM–1 PM)
Main street: Rue des Consuls
What to Buy in Rabat
Rabat Carpets
500–5,000+ MADThe city's signature craft. Rabat carpets (tapis de Rabat) are hand-knotted with intricate floral and geometric patterns on deep red or burgundy backgrounds. The style dates to the 17th century and is distinct from Berber carpets — more formal, denser knotting, and influenced by Ottoman and Andalousian design. Buying a Rabat carpet in Rabat means buying at source — prices are 30–50% lower than the same carpets in Marrakech. The carpet shops on Rue des Consuls have the widest selection.
Carpet shops along Rue des Consuls in the medinaTip: Ask to see the carpet from the back — the knot density (visible from behind) indicates quality and justifies price
Salé Pottery
20–300 MADThe neighbouring city of Salé (across the Bouregreg River) produces Morocco's finest blue-and-white pottery — influenced by the Andalousian tradition. Plates, bowls, vases, and decorative tiles with intricate geometric and floral patterns in cobalt blue on white. The pottery workshops in Salé's medina allow you to watch potters at work and buy directly. Salé pottery is more refined than Safi pottery — the patterns are more detailed and the glazing is smoother.
Pottery workshops in Salé medina (cross the Bouregreg River) and craft shops on Rue des ConsulsTip: Visit the Salé pottery workshops to see production — and prices are 30% lower than buying finished pieces in Rabat's medina
Leather Goods
50–400 MADBags, babouches (slippers), belts, wallets, and bookbindings in leather. Rabat's leather work is less famous than Fes's but the quality is excellent and prices are lower. The medina shops along Rue des Consuls and Rue Souika stock a range from basic tourist items to high-quality handcrafted pieces. Rabat also has a tradition of decorative leather bookbinding — intricately tooled leather book covers and journals that make distinctive gifts.
Leather shops along Rue des Consuls and Rue Souika in the medinaTip: Leather bookbindings and journals are Rabat's most distinctive leather product — 50–200 MAD for genuine handcraft
Ensemble Artisanal
Fixed pricesOne of Morocco's best government-run craft centres. The Ensemble Artisanal near the Kasbah des Oudayas has workshops and showrooms for carpets, pottery, leather, woodwork, jewellery, and textiles — all at government-fixed prices. No bargaining required. The quality is guaranteed and the prices are fair (sometimes lower than the medina). It's the perfect place to start — compare prices here before venturing into the souks, so you know what things should cost.
Ensemble Artisanal — near the Kasbah des Oudayas entrance, Boulevard al AlouTip: Visit the Ensemble Artisanal first to benchmark prices — then you'll know a fair price when bargaining in the medina
Jewellery & Silver
50–500 MADTraditional Moroccan jewellery in silver and semi-precious stones. Berber fibulae (cloak pins), bracelets, rings, and pendants with geometric designs. The jewellery shops on Rue des Consuls stock both antique pieces and new production. Rabat's jewellery tradition reflects its status as a royal capital — pieces tend to be more refined and formal than rural Berber jewellery. Also look for silver teapots, tea glasses, and trays — functional silverware that doubles as decoration.
Jewellery shops on Rue des Consuls and in the medina soukTip: Silver teapots and serving trays are Rabat's most practical silver buy — 100–300 MAD for pieces you'll use daily
Spices & Gourmet Products
10–80 MADRas el hanout, saffron, cumin, dried rose petals, preserved lemons, olives, and honey. The spice shops in the Rue Souika area cater to locals, so prices are fair and quality is high. Rabat also has excellent patisseries selling traditional Moroccan sweets — cornes de gazelle, chebakia, and briouats — that make good gifts. The honey from the surrounding region (especially the Zaër forest honey) is worth seeking out.
Spice stalls in the Rue Souika area and throughout the medinaTip: Zaër forest honey is Rabat's local speciality — darker and more aromatic than the common orange-blossom honey
Plan it with a local expert
Travel Morocco with Serenity Morocco Tours
Crafting extraordinary journeys through Morocco's timeless landscapes. 100% private journeys, handcrafted around you.
ONMT Licensed 100% Private Tours 100% private tours since 2018
from $2,011 5 days Marrakech → Erg Chebbi
Sahara Desert Luxury Expedition
from $2,054 7 days Marrakech · Fes · Meknes · Rabat
Essential Morocco: Imperial Cities Circuit
from $5,978 14 days Full-country circuit
Sahara to Sea: Morocco Complete
More Rabat Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rabat known for shopping?
Rabat is known for two signature crafts: Rabat carpets (the city gives its name to a distinctive style of knotted carpet with intricate floral patterns on deep red backgrounds) and Sale pottery (the neighbouring city of Salé produces Morocco's finest blue-and-white pottery). Beyond these specialties, Rabat's medina offers leather goods, jewellery, textiles, and spices in a calmer atmosphere than Marrakech or Fes. The Ensemble Artisanal is one of Morocco's best — with government-fixed prices and high-quality crafts.
Is Rabat cheaper than Marrakech for shopping?
Yes — Rabat's medina souks are 15–25% cheaper than Marrakech for comparable crafts. Starting prices are more reasonable, bargaining is less aggressive, and vendors cater more to locals than tourists. The Ensemble Artisanal (government-run craft centre) has fixed prices that are fair benchmarks. Rabat carpets are best bought here at source — the same carpets cost 30–50% more in Marrakech. The shopping experience is calmer, more dignified, and less exhausting.
Where are the best souks in Rabat?
The best shopping areas in Rabat: the medina souks along Rue des Consuls (Rabat's main souk street — carpets, leather, textiles, jewellery), the Ensemble Artisanal near the Kasbah des Oudayas (fixed-price crafts), the Rue Souika area (spices, household goods), and across the river in Salé (pottery workshops). The medina is compact and walkable — the entire souk area can be covered in an afternoon. Rue des Consuls has the widest selection of quality crafts.