Coming to Casablanca, Morocco, and not having some time for shopping is impossible! Morocco is famed for its dark, fragrant medinas overflowing with spices, handmade items, and traditional Moroccan pastries. We all know a vacation is not complete without a souvenir, particularly in Casablanca. The question shouldn’t be what to shop, but where to shop. Casablanca has all that you would need. From busy markets to traditional shops with big brand shopping.
The old medina of Casablanca is a far cry from the traditional winding souks of Marrakech, although it is full of interesting stalls selling fresh food and trinkets. It is also far less touristy. Casablanca is presaged as the commercial capital of Morocco. It allows the locals and tourists to do much more of European-style and high street shopping in the colonial center of Casablanca.
Casablanca offers everyone an exceptional shopping experience. The shopping culture revolves around traditional markets that are ever busy and numerous modern shopping midpoints that offer lower frenzied shopping experiences.
It is also worth noting that in Casablanca, getting the best places to purchase your souvenirs comes down to your bargaining skills and how much energy and time you would like to put into each shopping transaction. However, you must be prepared to bargain as it is a natural part of the shopping process and can take up most of your time.
If endless bargaining is not your thing and proves too stressful for you, there are other simpler options. You can head to the Exposition Nationale d’Artisanat, 3 Avenue Hassan 11. They offer all the items you would need at a fixed price. Also, the Maarif area of Casablanca is the home of international shopping for brands such as Zara and Prada, among other fashion boutiques. For an authentic shopping experience, head right to the Derb Ghraleef district for knock-off homeware and clothing. It is always rough and ready.
There are other different places where you can do your shopping in Casablanca, including:
- Morocco mall
- Souq Habous
- Anfa place
- Marina shopping
Traditional Markets in Casablanca
These traditional markets in Casablanca are found on the street markets and souks. The souvenir spots are widely accessible throughout the historic parts of the city. they are also the best places you could shop for ancient and modern Moroccan souvenirs.
Modern Shopping Spots in Casablanca
The modern shopping centers in Casablanca are situated in the central cosmopolitan district and the seaside coastal area of Ain Diab. They offer a great relaxed, bargain-free shopping experience.
Ancienne Medina of Casablanca
Ancienne Medina is the oldest part of the city and is situated in the heart of Casablanca. It was dated back to the 19th century. This historic area is popular for its amiable souks and old-style street shopping. It is a perfect spot where you can get numerous items ranging from shishas, wood ornaments, and lanterns, as well as the traditional kaftans.
Shopping here is usually exciting for both the locals and tourists. Bargaining is a norm, and while shopping, you may be expected to bargain.
Marche Central
Marche Central is another busy historic shopping spot located on Mohammad V Boulevard. It is a popular spot for its wide range of vegetables, fresh fruits, meat, seafood, and even flowers. It is also a great spot for purchasing handcrafts, antiques, baskets, and old photographs, among other numerous spices and herbs.
The Quartier Habous in Casablanca
Shopping isn’t necessarily the highlight of Casablanca. Still, if you want to snaffle some souvenirs, you should head to the attractive and touristry Souq located in the east of the central roundabout. Quartier Habous was constructed in the 1930s by the French. It is also known as the new medina.
The neighborhood is popular for its unique blend of Moroccan and French influences. Shopping here is usually amazing. Several local shops, stalls, and open-air markets sell various items from Moroccan jewelry, wooden carvings, and even the ancient Moroccan pashminas and scarves, widely known for their stunningly elaborate designs.
Like the Ancienne Medina, bargaining is the order of the day here, and the prices of items differ consequently. However, shopping here is usually amazing, less busy, and relaxed, unlike shopping in the Ancienne Medina.
Derb Ghallef
Shopping in Derb Ghallef is usually different from the other traditional markets in Casablanca. However, it can be systematized in chaos. It is a big informal open-air market with diverse stalls selling toys, furniture, and homeware. Bargaining is a norm, although the prices may already be lower, so you better be prepared for that.
Derb Ghallef is a popular spot among shoppers due to its wide variety of electronics, computer devices, mobile phones, video games, among other designer brands, and luxury fashion imitation stalls.
Morocco Mall
Morocco Mall is the largest shopping mall in Casablanca, Morocco. It is one of the fanciest shopping destinations in Casablanca, Morocco. It is also the second-largest mall in Africa, with stores galore, luxe international designer labels, and even dedicated to the Souq area. It is located west side of the city, in Ain Diab. The mall is housed in a modern building, with spacious retail spaces and more than 300 local Moroccan and international brands.
The prices here are a bit expensive, although some shops sell the popular high-street brands and other more accessible designer brands.
Why not take a shopping break and gawk at the two-story aquarium while you fill-up the multinational food court? After you are done shopping, you can also enjoy a show at the IMAX cinema, which shows different Hollywood blockbusters.
Anfaplace Shopping Spot
The shopping center is located next to the beach. It offers both Moroccan and American labels. It is a two-story complex that has been in operation since 2013. They sell numerous local and international brands, with more than 80 high-street labels. The brands range from H&M, Marks & Spencer to Monson and Calzedonia.
There is a food court with more than 20 restaurants for food lovers. The restaurants in Casablanca offer different cuisines such as American, Japanese, and Italian. You cannot afford to miss the experience at the Anfaplace shopping center.
Alpha 55
This is your run-of-the-mill sector store. It is one of the biggest shopping stores in Casablanca. It has different stores and shops that offer high quality and affordable products such as jewelry, home décor, clothing, textiles, cosmetics, toys, games, sports equipment, and other traditional souvenirs.
Shopping ideas for tourists in Casablanca
There is more than just the famous 1940s movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Bergman Ingrid for tourists and travelers in Casablanca. Things that have been there over the years still have not faded away. Different things are worth noting and picking while in Casablanca to keep you feeling refreshed and hold memories of the great Casablanca.
Ceramic Articles
Pottery appeared in Morocco 1000 years ago when the Berber population (Maures) built ovens in Fez, Meknes, Safi, and Marrakech. In Safi, ceramic articles are particularly handmade by handicraftsmen who make and produce exclusive stunning pieces, such as saucers tajines (for both cooking or ornamentation tenacities) … In Fez, you can find most charming ornamental ceramics (vases, plates, ashtrays) colored largely in cobalt blue and a bit of yellow and green hues. Ceramic products are so finely made that they will satisfy most discerning traditional and modern tastes.
Moreover, if you want to welcome allies for an emblematic Moroccan mealtime, ceramic plates will be very convenient since they have continuous heat dispersal. Moroccan pottery is accessible, and you can get some at Bab Marrakech, others in Bazar Salam, and Bazar Marocain n 5. Prices start from 80 to 150 days apiece. The prices also vary according to the piece and the size. You can also get them at the Exposition Artisanal store, located Downtown at United Nation Square no.30, close to Astoria Cafe.
Moroccan Jewelry
Tiznit and Taroudant are among the Moroccan cities situated in the southside of Morocco, famous for their silver jewelry artisans making delightful design pieces full of ethnic flavor. However, Casablanca is not also left behind with this beautiful Moroccan jewelry. You can get up-to-date jewels with flowery ideas or traditional jewels with Berber patterns influenced by Spanish and African cultures.
Jewelry making is usually traditional, where artists let their mind and creativity control the process. Lattice jewels are made of flattened and winded metal and are generally produced in Tiznit and Essaouira and are also available for sale in Casablanca.
There is a wide variety of jewelry articles on offer, such as rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches. These are accessible at the Exposition Artisanal store, situated downtown in the United Nations square number 30, Casablanca, next to Astoria Cafe, and at Bab Marrakech, where jewelers are mostly specific in silver and where you can get a bargain on some spectacular pieces. The prices of each piece start at roughly 90 DHS but depend on the quantity of valuable metal contained in the item.
Teapot or Barads
Among the numerous traditions of Morocco is one relating to succulent tea, which Moroccans are very devoted to making for their guests or themselves after each meal. It is a healthy and enjoyable beverage made with tea leaves and mint. It is mostly taken during summertime due to its stimulating properties.
However, during winter, the mint is substituted with common wormwood to keep the body warm. Moroccan teapots are planned and made by artisans using different materials, such as tin, brass, aluminum, or silver alloys. Sporadically, depending on the demand and social status of the customer, teapots can be coated with gold or bear gold motifs and ticker tapes.
To make about a liter of tea, one should first boil one liter of water. Then, put in about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of green tea with one glass of boiling water. Then spin the liquid around and quickly pour out the water. Add the fresh whole mint leaves and 150 grams of sugar, and the rest of the water. Let the mixture brew for about 3 to 4 minutes. Teapot prices differ, depending on the size and the material used, between 50 DHS and more. Teapots are widely available at any small or big store in Casablanca.
Lamps
During the “dark” years, when electric light had not yet been connected in Moroccan houses, lamps were the only way for people to get some light. During wintertime or any other period, light and heat were, and still are, always welcome in our houses. Moroccan lamps are made of bent iron, copper, or other composites. Distinct, light, and modern or traditional, Moroccan lamps easily blend with any interior design.
An attractive traditional Moroccan lamp is made of tight animal (often, goat) skin with henna dyed themes in red, orange, or brown colors that give an oriental touch to any place. High-quality ceramic lamps are made by skillful craftsmen, highlighting different shapes and colors. There are wall lamps to have filtered smooth light inside or outside the house.
These are also made of skin goat, wrought iron, or glass. Moroccan lamps are widely presented at the Exposition Artisanal store, located in the United Nation Square no.30, next to Astoria Cafe. You can also find them at Bab Marrakech, in Bazar Salam. Depending on the material used, prices range from around 150 DHS (animal skin lamps) to some 700 DHS (copper lamps).
Leather Bags
For a long time, Morocco has been the leader of African leather production, with exports running as far as the Middle East and Europe. This was possible due to the abundance of sheep and goat herds and oak forests. The unique live material such as leather is well improved to traditional and modern trends and has effectively found its place in today’s fashion and luxury trends.
Leather has permeated many other products’ manufacturing, such as babouches, bags, clothing, saddles, poufs, and even musical instruments. Every animal skin used is unique and has a specific use. For instance, lamb is used for clothing due to its delicacy; cow skin is thicker for bags and coats; whereas goat is used for poufs because of its roughness.
In Casablanca, leather products are accessible in Bab Marrakech in old Medina: Bazar Salam, Bazar Bab Arkham, where poufs cost 300 DHS (all sizes). You can find them also at the Exposition Artisanale, located in United Nations Street, store number 30, next to Astoria Cafe, and in the Houbous shopping area.
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