6 Best Places to Shop in Medina, Tangier and the Mediterranean

One of the finest antiques shops in Morocco has an array of antique textiles, silks, rich embroideries, vintage rugs, and Amazigh jewelry (often silver with coral and amber), as well as wooden boxes, household items, copper, and brass, collected from all over Africa on the owner's regular scouting trips. Prices are high, but the quality is indisputable, and it's worth a visit just to hear tales from Majid himself. International shipping is also available.

Just outside the Bab el Kasbah, Tangier’s first concept store is a delight. Putting a contemporary spin on traditional Moroccan style, the eclectic stock includes clothing, accessories, original art, housewares, and cosmetics. They promote Moroccan design, from Hassan Hajaj lampshades to couture clothing from Noureddine Amir and Fadila El Gadi, as well as Las Chicas' own designs. A pretty upstairs café serves delicious cakes, quiche, and other light bites, and there's a ground-floor gallery space.

The vibrant boutique of this eponymous French designer and stylist is filled with richly embroidered evening dresses and multihued silk caftans, all hand-sewn by Tangier’s finest tailors. Other chic accessories include hats, shoes, jewelry, and housewares. The high prices reflect the quality.

If you don’t know a Beni Ouarain rug from a Boucherouite, this store is the place to come. Sip a mint tea as vintage and contemporary rugs from around the country are unfurled in a kaleidoscope of colors; don’t forget to haggle.

This interesting gallery specializes in contemporary and art brut (art created outside academic traditions), with exhibitions of painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media from up-and-coming and established Moroccan artists. The gallery has three locations around Tangier, and this one is tucked behind the Petit Socco.

Opposite the Café Centrale, the colorful Volubilis Boutique has been in business since 1972, stocking handmade leather boots, shoes, and bags for both men and women, as well as traditional clothes with a Western twist. Ask the friendly owner, artist Mohamed Raiss el Fenni, to show you his delicate watercolor and highly original ice-cream stick paintings.  The shop closes for lunch.