Art Galleries in Morocco: A Guide for Collectors

Morocco is better known for its markets and crafts, but it also has an art scene worth a visit. In the last years Marrakech and Casablanca in particular have become places where Moroccan and African artists show their work, and where a traveller can meet the people who make and sell it.

For a collector, or for anyone who wants a souvenir that is more personal than a carpet or a lamp, a gallery can be one of the best stops of the trip. This guide covers the cities where it is easiest to see art, a few galleries and spaces to know, and what to ask before you buy.

Marrakech has the largest number of galleries, partly because it is the country’s most visited city. Many of them are in the modern district of Gueliz, a short taxi ride from the medina.

Two more names are worth knowing. MACAAL, the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden, is a private museum with a permanent collection. And the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair takes place at La Mamounia in Marrakech: its edition of February 2026 ran from 5 to 8 February and brought together 22 galleries from 12 countries, with more than 30 Moroccan artists in the programme. Check the dates of the next edition if you want to plan your trip around it.

Casablanca is linked to the history of modern Moroccan art. The School of Casablanca, a movement of the 1960s and 1970s led by Farid Belkahia, Mohamed Melehi and Mohammed Chabaa at the School of Fine Arts, mixed modernism with Moroccan heritage and shaped the way many artists still work.

Today the city has commercial galleries, such as Loft Art Gallery and L’Atelier 21, and spaces run by artists and collectives. It is a good choice if you want to see what artists are doing now rather than a souvenir for tourists.

Essaouira has a long tradition of painters and many small galleries, mostly in the medina. The local scene is known for naive and abstract painting, with a free and colourful style that suits the light of the coast.

Many of the smaller places are run by the artists themselves, so you often meet the person who made the work.

• Who made the work, and when? Ask for the name of the artist and, for a more expensive piece, a certificate or a written invoice.
• What is the price, and what does it include? Check whether the frame is included.
• How will it travel? Ask how the work can be packed, and about shipping for large pieces.
• Can I see other works by the same artist? This helps you judge the quality and the price.
• Is the exhibition still open? Galleries change their shows and their hours, so check before you go.

For a small work, buying directly from the artist is often the simplest. For a larger investment, take your time, compare and do not feel pushed to decide on the day.

Our private tours can be adapted to your interests. If you would like to include time in galleries in Marrakech, Casablanca or Essaouira, tell us when you plan your trip and we will see how to fit it into your route.