Christmas shopping in Morocco

With Christmas on the horizon, many people are now thinking about the annual task of buying presents for all their families and friends.

One interesting option that is available is to hop on a cheap flight to Morocco and visit the famous souks of Marrakech or Fes. There, you can buy low price and unusual presents including jewellery, clothing, wood and leather goods as well as many other home decorations.

You can also combine the visit with a relaxing stay at some delightfully individual and innovative riads and hotels in Marrakech and Fes. And helpfully, many riads and hotels are also offering shopping special offers which combine discounted riads and hotel accommodation with an English speaking shopping guide as well as assistance in sending purchases home by post.

For travellers on a budget, Riad Zina, Riad El Mezouar and Riyad El Cadi all offer good quality rooms in the €100-110 per night price range, including a half day with an English speaking guide, various refreshments throughout a guest’s stay, and assistance in posting shopping goods back to the UK or Europe.

In a mid-price range, Dar Seven, is a stylish but understated and chic launch pad from which to explore Marrakech and its Souks and other shopping opportunities. This riad hotel offers a 2 nights stay or more in superior suites (its Loggia Suite and White Room) for €320 per night including half a day with an expert shopping guide, a complimentary massage, airports transfers as well as advice and assistance in shipping larger goods.

For those willing to spend a little more, there are many attractive riad and hotel options. AnaYela, also of Marrakech, is a elegant and romantic hotel which offers 3 nights in a double room for €550 per person (based on 2 sharing) including half a day with a shopping guide, airport transfers, welcome drinks and gifts, complimentary massage and, of course, advice and assistance in shipping larger goods home.

In the leafy, verdant Palmeraie district of Marrakech, only 20 minutes from the centre, Jnane Tamsna is a hotel made up of 5 luxury villa, created with flair and style by Meryanne Loum-Martin. Here, date palms planted centuries ago are colourfully surrounded with olive trees and fruit trees as well as rose-bushes and bougainvilleas. The hotel offers a shopping special of 3 nights stay in October, November and early December in a double room for €580 per person including two half days with an expert guide, a complimentary hammam per person, a complimentary shopping map and advice and assistance in shipping larger goods.

Whilst Marrakech is often a more obvious choice for guests to Morocco, the second ancient city of Fes is another good option. Here riads and hotels such as Riad Mabrouka, Riad Fes, Riad Numero 9, Riad Les Oudayas, Riad Ibn Battouta and Riad Alkantara all offer guests a high quality hotel experience in the €90-€150 price range. All these riads and hotels can assist and advise guests in getting the most out of a shopping visit to Fes.