The Traveling Taylors

The Chefchaouen medina is small but full of charm—and shopping here feels less stressful than in bigger cities like Marrakech or Fes. Still, not everything you see is authentic. After weaving through the blue alleys ourselves, we’ve put together this guide on what’s worth buying in Chefchaouen, and what you should skip.

What to Buy in the Chefchaouen Medina

🧵 1. Handwoven Blankets & Textiles

Chefchaouen is known for its traditional weaving. You’ll find colorful blankets, ponchos, and shawls that make cozy, authentic souvenirs. Since these can be bulky, packing them to take home is far easier when you tuck them into a set of compression packing cubes like these. To find the workshops where artisans still weave by hand, you can book a guided medina walking tour.

Insider Tip: Look for shops where you can see artisans working on looms—that’s how you know it’s the real deal.

🧀 2. Local Goat Cheese

A Chefchaouen specialty! Creamy, tangy, and wrapped in rustic palm leaves, this cheese is often sold in small wedges. Pair it with fresh bread from a bakery. After sampling all that tangy cheese and mint tea, travelers often like to freshen up with a travel-size mouthwash like this one.

Best Buy: From local delis just outside the main square.

🎨 3. Original Paintings & Artwork

The medina is home to many small art studios where local painters sell works inspired by the blue city itself. They’re one-of-a-kind and make for meaningful souvenirs.

Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to ask about the artist—you might meet them in person!

👒 4. Woven Hats & Baskets

Colorful straw hats (often decorated with pom-poms) are traditional to the Rif Mountains. You’ll also find beautiful woven baskets in all sizes. If your bag starts overflowing with finds, a set of space-saver compression bags like these can help you squeeze it all in.

Bonus: These are lightweight and easy to pack.

🍯 5. Natural Beauty Products

Look for locally made soaps, argan oil, and herbal remedies. Many vendors sell handmade goods that smell as good as they look. If you love pampering your skin after long travel days, you may also enjoy a nourishing body oil like this one.

Tip: Buy from small co-ops, not generic tourist stalls.

What to Skip in the Chefchaouen Medina

🚫 1. Mass-Produced Souvenirs

Keychains, cheap magnets, and “Made in China” trinkets are everywhere. They’re not unique to Chefchaouen—and you’ll see the same stuff in Marrakech and Fes.

🚫 2. Questionable Leather Goods

While Morocco is famous for leather, Chefchaouen isn’t the place to buy it. Quality here is often lower, and prices are inflated. Save your leather shopping for Fes.

🚫 3. Overpriced Carpets

Carpet sellers in Chefchaouen can be pushy, but this isn’t a weaving hub like Fes or Rabat. Unless you know what you’re looking for, it’s better to admire than buy.

🚫 4. Cheap Jewelry

Most of the silver jewelry in Chefchaouen is either imported or low quality. If you want authentic Berber silver, wait until you’re in bigger artisan centers.

Tips for Shopping in the Chefchaouen Medina

✅ Bring cash – Many vendors don’t accept cards.
✅ Haggle lightly – Bargaining is expected, but prices are generally fairer than Marrakech or Fes.
✅ Support small shops – Family-run stalls often sell higher quality items.
✅ Ask before photos – Some shopkeepers don’t like their displays photographed.

Because you’ll be carrying cash through busy alleys, it’s smart to keep it tucked away in a hidden RFID money belt like this one.

Why Shopping in Chefchaouen Feels Different

Unlike Morocco’s bigger medinas, shopping in Chefchaouen feels laid-back. The vendors are friendlier, the pace is slower, and the goods often reflect the mountain culture. If you know what to buy (and what to skip), you’ll leave with souvenirs that actually mean something. For the backstory behind the shops and blue-washed lanes, you can also take a private walking tour of the old town.

Want to dive deeper into the Blue City? Don’t miss our Chefchaouen medina guide or our list of 7 hidden gems in Chefchaouen.