Arabic cultures have always been praised for their unique style of art. Camel-bone chests and cool crafted leather decorations are a much more interesting style than the European or the oriental styles of art. Rabat is no exception, and has a large number of shops and stalls for any number of Arabic crafts, as well as a few galleries here and there for tourists and locals alike.
Many of the art stores are located in and around the Medina and in the neighboring sector of Oudayas which are towards the northern regions of the city. Both areas are on the waterfront and surrounded by old walls and gates. In the Medina (Medina is the name for any “inner city” in a city; generally the older section), the more traditional shops are located on the Rue des Consuls. If you simply walk through these places, you're bound to have passed a great many hole-in-the-wall shops with a variety of goods. Carpets are a favorite among shop owners in any Arabic culture; but here you see almost as many shops selling chests and cupboards made of bone or shell, or a light shades made of colored leather, and perhaps shaped like a lizard. Please note that tourists often get charged more then the locals.
Here we have some examples of some Moroccan crafts and paintings:
Shop owners in the medina are often very freindly, and may give you some tea or something as you select what to purchase. They are also always open to haggling when it comes to the price.
Here are some Arts Shops in Rabat, as well as where to find them and some contact information derived from my research in this topic:
• Merueilles de Rabat, Nº 2 Rue des Cousuls, Rabat Telephone: 037-73-09-40
• L’art Ancien, 46 Rue des Consuls, Rabat Telephone: 137-20-43-56
• Chez Hassan, 49 Rue des Consuls, Rabat Telephone: 061-67-99-20
• Souvenir du Maroc, Rabat Telephone: 063-11-53-63
• Coopartim, Angle Rue Renard et El Jabarti
Most of these stores sell paintings or furniture. Remember that these are not the only craft stores in town, and perhaps not even the best, although that is a matter of opinion.
Additionally, many Art galleries often have gift shops, or allow you to purchase something that is on display. Here we have a list of large galleries where exhibits may be displayed or traditional art may be viewed:
• Galerie d’art Nouiga, 2 Rue Casbah des Oudayas, Rabat Telephone: 037-20-11-75
(Please note that the examples of Moroccan art came from the Galerie d’art Nouiga)
• Galerie de la Mamounia, 263 , avenue Mohammed V
• Centre Culturel de L’Agdal, Rue Al Amir, Telephone: 037-67-21-82
• Galerie des Oudayas, 13 Rue Dimachk, Telephone: 037-73-15-37
• Galerie Moulay Ismail, 11 avenue Bin El Ouidane, Telephone: 037-77-81-64
Like before, these are not necessarily the very essence of traditional Arabic trades, but some, such as Nouiga’s, are indeed very good.