The lower Casbah contains the best concentration of traditional Algerian craft shops in the city. Look for copper and brass work (trays, coffee pots, lanterns), hand-knotted carpets from the Kabyle region, handwoven fabric from the M'Zab, embroidered fabric from Constantine, and silver jewellery including the distinctive Kabyle silver bangles and pendants.
Quality varies considerably. The better shops are run by craftsmen who produce their own work; the cheaper stalls sell mass-produced imitations from China. Distinguishing between them takes a bit of time. Bargaining is expected and the gap between opening and final prices can be wide. The shops in Riadh El Feth cultural complex are more reliable on quality but less atmospheric.