Second-Hand Clothes Shopping in Morocco

Last Updated on 24th January 2026 by Jessie

Thrift shopping in Morocco looks a little different. Most second-hand clothes are sold at souks – piled high in open-air markets across towns big and small. Here’s how to find them and what to expect.

Morocco is a goldmine for second-hand clothing. The local souks are your bountiful excavation sites. But the role of optimistic goldminer – getting your hands dirty, sifting through the rubble to find your items of treasure – is completely yours. For the eager fortune hunters, here’s a little insider’s guide to second-hand clothes shopping in Morocco.

I’m a fierce proponent of second-hand clothes shopping in Morocco, for reasons beyond just saving money or finding sweet vintage numbers (although both are valid reasons). When spending time in a country where waste management can be patchy at best, you’re soon confronted with the gross quantity of stuff we consume and discard, without a second thought.

Witnessing piles of hard rubbish burnt outside your window is a pretty gnarly wake-up call. Shopping second-hand here feels like the only ethical option. It’s no magic salve to the issue of environmental degradation. But fuck, if I can make one small effort to lessen my individual burden, I’ll take it.

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What to Expect When Second-Hand Clothes Shopping in Morocco

For starters, forget your traditional brick-and-mortar thrift store. Your best bet for finding second-hand clothing in Morocco is the local souks. These are the open-air markets, usually held once a week in all large villages, with vendors selling everything from fresh produce and meat to household items like pens and cooking utensils.

Most souks will have at least one tent dedicated to second-hand clothes. The garments will be piled high on tables, with different sections for children’s/adult wear, winter/summer clothes, etc.

The pricing system is simple. Basic tops and children’s clothing might go for 5–10 dirhams (€0.50–€1), while heavier items like jackets or trousers are usually 30–50 dirhams (€3–€5). Sometimes a little steeper if the vendors have clued on to the influx of cashed-up travellers frequenting that particular souk. Most tables have set prices, but every vendor runs their own setup, so make sure you pay before wandering off to the next pile.

I’ve noticed a lot of young entrepreneurs (particularly in the surf villages) taking advantage of the bargain finds and reselling them in their own vintage pop-up stores at a markup. My thoughts on this: For savvy Moroccans, it’s an epic opportunity to cash in on tourists who can’t be bothered with the hassle of scouring the markets themselves. But for expats trying to get their cut – nah, let’s not.

Where do Morocco’s second-hand clothes come from?

From my understanding, the clothes are bought in bulk from charity stores in Europe and the UK. Only about 10% of the clothes that are donated to these thrift stores are actually resold. Keep that in mind when you’re offloading bags of your old duds to the local oppy. The rest are either sent to landfills (heavy), or shipped to poorer countries like Ghana, Cambodia or Morocco.

You’ll find loads of items from Zara and H&M, with the occasional pair of Levis or some jazzy unlabelled vintage piece hiding in the mix. It’s so hectic to see how many of the clothes are brand new, sometimes still with tags. I find it a little sickening.

It’s epic to see these clothes being recycled, whilst also equipping Moroccan people with an affordable and (somewhat) high-quality clothing market. However, the endless quantity of product is an unnerving reminder that your clothes don’t just disappear when you donate them to charities. You can’t just use it as a moral get-out-of-jail-free card to keep perpetuating your fast fashion addiction.

Let it be known, there is already enough clothing in circulation to dress the whole world for the next 100 years. Buying “ethically made” or opting for fabrics made from recycled fibres does nothing to fix the problem. Simply buy less stuff, and when you do shop, opt for second-hand. It’s the only way we can begin to close the loop.

Tips for Thrift Shopping in Morocco

• Bring small change – All souks are cash only.
• Be patient, and come hydrated – Sifting through piles is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Don’t barter too hard – Most stalls have set prices, and are already super fair.
• Respect the locals – Village souks aren’t tourist attractions. Be mindful of the families who are just trying to do their weekly shop. Try to be culturally appropriate.
• BYO bag – Keep the eco-saviness ball rolling.

Where to Find the Best Thrift Markets in Morocco

Hit up any local village or city souk in Morocco, and I’m sure you’ll find a few tents dedicated to second-hand clothes. But if you’re visiting Morocco’s surf coast, these are my favourite haunts:

• Had Draa Souk, Essaouira
• Anza Souk
• Souk El Had, Agadir
• Sidi Ifni Souk
• Mirleft Souk
• Tamraght Souk

Also, keep an eye out for the lone vendor with his makeshift pop-up store of 5 assorted items laid out on a city sidewalk. As they say, one man’s Russian fur hat is another woman’s treasure.

Check out more tips and tricks for visiting Morocco.

More tips:

• Travelling Morocco on a Budget
• How to Stay in Morocco Long-Term
• Why Morocco is a Dream Digital Nomad Destination
• Volunteering in Morocco
• Best SIM Card for Morocco

For more Maroc info and a little less of my own opinions, I’ve created a travel wisdom-sharing hub over on Reddit. Join the group here.