Casablanca - Shopping
Morocco is a paradise for anyone who adores traditional handmade crafts for the home or as souvenirs. Top choice is usually colourful geometric patterned carpets called kilims or shoedwi carpets that are predominately black and white. They are made by hand and sold in little shops that line alleyways around the city especially in the area around Boulevard Felix Houphouet Boigny or in the medinas.
For good selections of traditional carpets head for the Ancienne Medina near the port and quayside or the Nouvelle Medina which is a little inland near the Mahakma du Pacha and the Palais du Rdi. Ceramics and pottery, such as tagines, along with woven textiles are popular purchases, too. For the freshest fruit and vegetables head for the Central Market (Marche Central) in the Rue Chaouia which is open everyday from 6 am through to 2 pm. Centre 2000 or Alpha 55 in the Avenue de Mers Sultan are good shopping centres for fashions and household items. When shopping, haggling is part of the tradition. It’s a subtle exercise and fun to learn to master. A golden rule: take your time!
