Moroccan Zellige Tiles

Moroccan Zellige is one of the world's most distinctive handmade tiles. Crafted by artisans in Fez, Morocco, each small terracotta piece is cut, glazed and fired by hand, producing a shimmering, uneven surface that no machine can imitate. At ISLATILE we produce authentic Zellige in more than 50 colors, in squares and hexagons, for homes, hotels, restaurants and wholesale projects worldwide.

What Is Moroccan Zellige?

Zellige (also spelled zellig or zelige) is a glazed terracotta mosaic tile. The word comes from the Arabic zellij, meaning "small polished stone". Each tile is pressed or cut from local clay, coated with a colored glaze and fired in the traditional wood-fired kilns still used in Fez today. Because it is made entirely by hand, every Zellige tile has its own subtle color variation, tiny cracks and irregular edge — features that are highly prized in interior design for their authentic, warm texture.

Authentic Zellige Handmade in Fez

Fez has been the center of Zellige craftsmanship since the 10th century. The city's master artisans pass their techniques from father to son, and it is in Fez that the craft reached its perfection under the Marinid and Saadian dynasties. When you buy from ISLATILE, you buy directly from this centuries-old tradition: our tiles are shaped, glazed and fired by hand, never machine-made.

Read more about why Moroccan Zellige is handmade and the full definition of Moroccan Zellige.

Our Moroccan Zellige Tile Sizes

We offer three standard formats, all handmade in terracotta and available glazed or natural:

Moroccan Zellige Colors

Authentic Zellige is available in an exceptionally wide palette. Our collection includes traditional shades — greens, blues, ochre yellow, terracotta, black and white — as well as contemporary tones. Because each tile is glazed by hand, every color shows subtle variations that give walls a living, textured depth.

Browse our full color gallery or request a free color palette sample before ordering.

How Moroccan Zellige Is Made

The making of Zellige is a slow, entirely manual process:

• Clay preparation: local Moroccan clay is kneaded and shaped by hand or pressed into simple molds.
• Shaping: each tile is cut to its roughly square or hexagonal form with a wooden mold.
• Glazing: artisans pour a liquid glass-based glaze in the chosen color by hand.
• Firing: tiles are fired in wood-burning kilns, the source of Zellige's warm, natural tones.
• Control: each batch is inspected individually; no two tiles are identical.

Moroccan Zellige for Bathrooms

Zellige is naturally water-resistant and easy to clean, which makes it an outstanding choice for bathrooms: shower walls, bathtub surrounds, basins and feature walls. The subtle color variations create a calm, spa-like atmosphere. Discover 10 Moroccan Zellige bathroom ideas for inspiration, or read our guide on how to clean Zellige tiles.

Moroccan Zellige for Kitchens

Kitchen backsplashes are the most popular use of Zellige in the modern home. The glossy glaze resists splashes and is easy to wipe clean, while the handmade texture adds warmth to both classic and minimalist kitchens. Explore Moroccan Zellige kitchen backsplash ideas, and see the 5x5 cm Zellige tiles most often chosen for backsplashes.

Zellige for Hotels and Interior Design Projects

From boutique hotels to restaurants, riads and commercial fit-outs, Zellige brings authentic character to large-scale projects. We supply tiles in project quantities, with clear production lead times and packaging suited to professionals. Interior designers can find practical guidance in our article Zellige tiles for interior designers.

Wholesale Moroccan Zellige

ISLATILE supplies Moroccan Zellige wholesale to tile distributors, contractors and architects worldwide. MOQ, formats, colors, production lead times, packaging and shipping are detailed on our dedicated wholesale page.

Samples and International Shipping

Because colors vary from batch to batch, we strongly recommend ordering a physical color palette before committing. We send a free color sample palette via UPS or DHL collect, or a full box via DHL, and we ship finished orders to more than 40 countries. Production lead time is 30 to 60 days after proforma confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions

See our full FAQ section with answers about what Zellige is, where it is made, sizes, quantities, samples, shipping, wholesale and production time.