Back to grid

Best craft destinations in Africa

Back to grid
Addis Ababa
Vibrant capital where history meets modernity
8.1
Busy, high at 2,355 metres and full of the smell of roasting coffee, this capital has a lively craft scene. Merkato is a huge open air market. Shiro Meda market sells handwoven cotton shawls with coloured borders. Silversmiths sell Ethiopian crosses. Leather workers make bags and shoes.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Climb Mount Entoto for sunrise city panorama
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Merkato, Ethiopia's largest market
  • 🏛️ Explore National Museum, view Lucy fossil
Marrakech
A vibrant maze of colors and spices
8.0
In October days are about 27 degrees Celsius, which is pleasant for browsing the souks. Merchants in the old medina sell leather slippers, brass lanterns and handwoven rugs. Potters make zellige tiles from tiny glazed pieces. Jemaa el Fnaa square is close to the main lanes. The medina was founded in 1070.
Highlights:
  • 🧖‍♀️ Relax in a traditional hammam and experience Moroccan spa culture
  • 🏛️ Wander through the serene courtyards of Bahia Palace
  • 🕌 Lose yourself in the vibrant souks of Jemaa el-Fnaa
Nairobi
Where urban life meets wild adventures
6.4
Shoppers in Kenya's capital follow the Maasai Market, which moves to a new spot each day of the week. Stalls sell beaded jewellery, kikoy cloth and soapstone carvings from Kisii. The Kazuri factory in Karen makes ceramic beads by hand. Woodcarvers sell animals and masks at the Utamaduni Craft Centre.
Highlights:
  • 🐘 Visit the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and meet baby elephants
  • 🦩 Feed endangered giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
  • 🦒 Go on a safari at Nairobi National Park
Tunis
Where Ancient Meets Vibrant Modernity
6.6
On the Mediterranean coast, this capital has a walled medina that became a World Heritage Site in 1979. Hat makers in Souk el Chaouachine sell red felt caps called chechia. Perfume sellers fill other lanes. The Bardo Museum holds a large collection of Roman mosaics. Shops in Sidi Bou Said sell decorative birdcages.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Admire Roman mosaics at the Bardo National Museum
  • 🏛️ Explore the ruins of Carthage overlooking the sea
  • 🕌 Wander through the ancient medina of Tunis
Fez
Labyrinthine Medina, Living Moroccan Heritage
7.5
Older and more maze like than Marrakech, the medina of Fez was founded in 789. Cars are not allowed. Leather is dyed in stone vats at the Chouara tannery. Potters paint blue glazed bowls. Brass workers hammer trays by hand. The Al Qarawiyyin library is among the oldest in the world.
Highlights:
  • 🕌 Admire intricate tilework at Bou Inania Madrasa
  • 👜 Visit the world-famous Chouara Tannery for unique views
  • 🏘️ Explore the ancient Fes Medina with its winding alleys
Chefchaouen
Blue Medina, Mountain Views, Calm Vibes
6.8
Early mornings are quiet in this Moroccan hill town, before day trippers arrive. Walls in the old medina are painted in shades of blue. Weavers make wool blankets and striped cloaks on wooden looms. Woodworkers carve small boxes. Goat cheese and olive oil are sold at stalls near the main square.
Highlights:
  • 🏰 Explore the historic Kasbah and its lush gardens
  • 🌅 Climb to the Spanish Mosque for sunset views
  • 💙 Wander the blue-painted streets of Chefchaouen Medina
Aswan
Nile Islands, Nubian Culture, Golden Light
7.1
This is the southern gateway of Egypt, a quiet Nile town near the Sudan border. Nubian villages on the river have houses painted in bright colours. Families sell beaded jewellery and baskets woven from palm leaves. The old souq sells spices and hibiscus tea. Philae Temple sits on an island close by.
Highlights:
  • ⚙️ Marvel at the High Dam, Egypt’s modern engineering wonder
  • 🏛️ Visit the magnificent Philae Temple dedicated to Isis
  • ⛵ Sail on a traditional felucca at sunset along the Nile
Essaouira
Atlantic Breeze, Blue Medina, Bohemian Vibe
7.4
Woodworkers on this windy Atlantic coast carve thuya wood, a fragrant root that grows near the city. Small workshops under the ramparts make boxes, chess sets and tables with a golden grain. The medina is a World Heritage Site. Painters sell colourful canvases in the lanes. Fishing boats unload at the port.
Highlights:
  • 🐟 Explore the bustling fishing port and feast on fresh seafood
  • 🌅 Watch the sunset from historic Skala du Port ramparts
  • 🏘️ Wander through Essaouira’s UNESCO-listed medina streets
Zanzibar City
Stone Town’s Spice-Scented Labyrinth
7.1
Omani sultans ruled from this port in the 1800s and left a city of carved wooden doors. Stone Town has hundreds of doors with brass studs and deep patterns. Carpenters still build dhow boats. Markets sell bright kanga cloth, woven baskets and Makonde carvings. Spice stalls fill Darajani Market with scent.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Shop for spices at Darajani Market’s vibrant stalls
  • 🏰 Visit the old Sultan’s Palace and explore its museum
  • 🏘️ Wander through the historic alleys of Stone Town
Accra
Vibrant Culture and Coastal Charm
6.1
Ga people have lived on this coast for centuries. Today the city sells crafts from all over Ghana. The Arts Centre has rows of stalls with wood carvings, masks and drums. Makola Market sells bright wax print cloth. Kente, a woven silk and cotton cloth, is cut and sewn into clothes.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at Bojo Beach
  • 🛍️ Shop vibrant stalls at Makola Market
  • 🕊️ Visit the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum
Luxor
Ancient wonders on the Nile
7.6
Quiet and full of temples, this Nile town has craft shops on both banks. Villages on the west bank carve alabaster vases and bowls from local stone. Some workshops welcome visitors to watch craftsmen at work. The souq sells spices, scarves and cotton clothing. Felucca sailboats cross the river at dusk.
Highlights:
  • 🌙 Marvel at the majestic Luxor Temple by night
  • 🏛️ Visit the vast and impressive Karnak Temple complex
  • 🏺 Explore the ancient tombs of the Valley of the Kings
Rabat
A Hidden Gem with Royal Flair
6.6
Calmer and less crowded than Marrakech or Fez, Morocco's capital still has a strong craft tradition. Rabat is known for woven wool carpets with deep reds and geometric patterns. The Oudayas Kasbah has painted blue and white lanes. Potters work in the nearby town of Sale. The medina is a World Heritage Site.
Highlights:
  • 🕋 Marvel at the unfinished Hassan Tower minaret
  • 🕌 Visit the stunning Mausoleum of Mohammed V
  • 🏰 Explore the historic Kasbah of the Udayas and gardens
Ghana
Gateway to vibrant African culture
6.9
On the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, this country is known for kente, a cloth woven in narrow strips. Weavers in Bonwire work at wooden looms. In Ntonso artisans stamp adinkra cloth with symbols using dye made from tree bark. Krobo bead makers near Koforidua sell glass beads.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Explore the vibrant markets of Accra for local crafts
  • 🏰 Tour the historic Cape Coast Castle museum
  • 🌳 Walk the canopy walkway at Kakum National Park
Madagascar
Unique biodiversity meets diverse landscapes
6.5
The world's fourth largest island has crafts as unusual as its wildlife. The Zafimaniry people of the highlands carve wood in patterns recognised by UNESCO. Antsirabe workshops weave silk. Raffia hats and baskets are made along the coast. Markets in Antananarivo sell zebu horn bowls and carved wooden boxes.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Dive the coral reefs of Nosy Be Island
  • 🦎 Spot lemurs and chameleons in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
  • 🌳 Walk the Avenue of the Baobabs at sunset
Lalibela
Stone churches echoing centuries of faith
King Lalibela had churches carved from solid rock here in the 1100s and 1200s. Craft traditions grew around them. Priests carry hand hammered metal crosses in processions. Weavers sell white cotton shawls. Painters decorate parchment with bright saints. Local shops sell the small crosses as keepsakes.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Attend a local church service in traditional attire
  • 🚶‍♂️ Explore the ancient monastery complex on foot
  • 🏰 Visit Lalibela's rock-hewn churches at sunrise
Khan el-Khalili
Vibrant Historic Bazaar Bustling
In the old Islamic quarter of Cairo, this bazaar has been a place of trade since the 1300s. Metalworkers hammer copper trays and brass lanterns in tiny shops. Boxes are inlaid with mother of pearl. Perfume sellers pour scents into glass bottles. Fishawi cafe serves mint tea beside the main lane.
Highlights:
  • 🪔 Admire intricate metal lamps and handcrafted jewelry
  • 🍵 Sip traditional mint tea at historic café terraces
  • 🛍️ Browse vibrant stalls for spices, textiles, and souvenirs
Feedback