9 of the Top Souks in Fez for the Best Moroccan Souvenirs

In Arabic, Talaa Kebira means “the Great Slope”, an apt name for one of the most important streets in Fes-el-Bali (the old medina, which is the historic walled part of the city). Beginning near the Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate), Talaa Kebira is a good starting point on a city tour—especially if you’re not sure where to shop in Fez.

Did you know?: Rue Talaa Kebira weaves through produce markets, food shops, and past the old slipper and leather neighborhoods before ending near some of the best souks in Fez.

Located at the eastern end of Tala’a Kebira Street, Souk el-Attarine is one of the best spots in Morocco to buy spices, oils, rosewater, and tea. Just across the road from Souk el-Henna, it’s a popular place to visit on medina tours, known for its postcard-perfect piles of colored spices and its proximity to the Al-Attarine Madrasa. (Despite being named after the marketplace next to it, the similarities between this 14th-century center of religious learning and the souk end there.) The souk, which is partially covered, is a feast for all the senses; filled with colorful stalls, bustling crowds, and the sounds of fierce (but friendly) bargaining.

Sandwiched between the Kairouine Mosque and the sacred Zaouia Moulay Idris II, this undercover market—which dates back to the 9th century—is the original central bazaar of Fes el-Bali. One of the few souks in Fez with lockable gates (and no on-site residents), the Kissariat al-Kifah—or Kissaria, as it is also known—was the place to go to buy luxury goods.

Despite being rebuilt multiple times over the past thousand years, the Kissaria is still one of the top markets in Fez, its warren-like maze of shops and stalls offering an abundance of luxury goods, clothing, silks, gold and silver jewelry, and slippers.

According to all the guidebooks, visiting the Chouara Tannery is a must-do when you’re in Fez. However, the only way to actually get a top-down glimpse of the artisans handmaking their goods is by visiting one of the many leather shops that surround the tannery—they each have upstairs terraces offering views over the colorful pits, and shopkeepers hoping (expecting) to make a tip or a sale. For the best views (and deals), you may want to consider enlisting a Fez souks guide, although you can also follow your own nose towards the scent of fresh leather.

Insider tip: This is a good spot to put your haggling skills to the test for high-quality leather goods, like slippers, belts, or poufs (a type of Moroccan cushion).

One of the oldest market squares in Fez, the Souk el-Henna was traditionally dedicated to all things beauty, including local cosmetics, henna, argan oil, black soap, and everything you need for visiting a hammam (public bath house). Now, it’s also known for its pottery and perfume.

Close to the Maristan of Sidi Frej—a 13th-century psychiatric hospital that is now a covered market—Souk el-Henna is a popular spot to visit on shopping tours in Fez. Conveniently, its location in an open square filled with trees also gives you the chance to browse from afar before diving into negotiations.

If you’re looking for handmade goods in Fez, arguably Morocco’s most prominent artisanal hub, you can’t miss Souk Nejjarine. While the word Nejjarine means “carpenter” or “cabinet maker,” many of the woodworkers here aren’t just furniture makers—they’re all artists in their own right, with most using tools and techniques that have remained unchanged for generations.

A great place to watch talented tradespeople at work (and buy some beautiful souvenirs), Souk Nejjarine is also home to Fez’s oldest fountain, along with the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts.

Insider tip: Some countries (such as Australia) have strict rules about importing wooden items. Double-check first to avoid disappointment.

Filled with lanterns and chandeliers, tea sets, brass trays, and hand-crafted cooking pots—along with all the hammering and clamoring that goes into making them—Souk Seffarine is one of the best souks to visit if you're looking for a one-of-a-kind souvenir and a good story to go with it.

Close to Karaouine Mosque, Souk Seffarine, which is named after the Arabic word for coppersmiths, is another popular spot to visit on Fez tours, especially if you want to see the smiths in action.

Located in the center of the old Jewish Quarter in Fes el-Jdid (the “New Fez,” built in the 13th century), Mellah Souk is far enough away to escape the higher prices and crowds of Fes el-Bali, but still close enough to be visited on a half-day tour. Offering a distinct change of pace, space, and architecture, most visitors come to Mellah to see the sights, but it's a good place for souvenir shopping, too. Local specialties include textiles, carpets, rugs, and blankets, along with art and jewelry.

While you can easily find pottery—along with almost everything else—in Fes el-Bali, there’s still nothing like going straight to the source. Just a short trip from the medina, Ain Nokbi is the city’s new pottery district, where visitors can see every aspect of the pottery process, from shaping to throwing and painting.

A fascinating spot to visit on Fez tours, Ain Nokbi is especially popular with visitors who are after custom tiles or mosaics. For an extra personal touch, you can even join a pottery class to make your own tiles and tagines (lidded clay cooking vessels common in North African cuisine).