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Destination guide Morocco

Salé

A Marinid madrasa in the old town across the river from Rabat.

See Marinid Madrasa tickets
The tiled courtyard and fountain of the Marinid Madrasa in Salé
The Marinid Madrasa, Salé

In the city

A madrasa in Salé.

The Marinid Madrasa stands beside the Great Mosque in the medina of Salé, across the Bou Regreg from Rabat. Inside, zellige, carved plaster and cedar surround a small courtyard.

Explore Marinid Madrasa
Timed entry

Madrasa admission

A Marinid college of zellige, carved plaster and cedar, beside the Great Mosque.
€25per adult
The lily pond and palms of Jardin Majorelle

Also in Morocco

Marrakech

From the blue of Jardin Majorelle to the courtyards of the medina’s palaces and tombs.

Read the Marrakech guide
The rocky Atlantic coast outside the Caves of Hercules

Also in Morocco

Tangier

Sea caves at Cap Spartel and a villa in the forest above the Strait of Gibraltar.

Read the Tangier guide
Chefchaouen’s blue medina and the mountains, seen from the kasbah tower

Also in Morocco

Chefchaouen

A kasbah and its garden on the main square of the blue town.

Read the Chefchaouen guide
A restored Roman gate at Tamuda, with Tétouan behind

Also in Morocco

Tétouan

A school of traditional crafts by the medina, and Roman gates outside the city.

Read the Tétouan guide
Ruins at Lixus above the meanders of the Loukkos river

Also in Morocco

Larache

Phoenician and Roman ruins on a hill above the Loukkos estuary.

Read the Larache guide
The ruins of Volubilis below the Zerhoun hills

Also in Morocco

Meknes

Roman ruins in the farmland north of Meknes, below the Zerhoun hills.

Read the Meknes guide
Blue fishing boats below the Skala du Port in Essaouira

Also in Morocco

Essaouira

Ramparts, cannons and blue boats on the Atlantic harbour.

Read the Essaouira guide
Beni Mellal and the plain below, seen from the hills above the city

Also in Morocco

Beni Mellal

A heritage centre by the gardens of a mountain spring.

Read the Beni Mellal guide

Visitor guide

Know before you go.

Practical information for a visit to Salé and its Marinid madrasa, from getting around to staying safe and finding somewhere to eat.

Checked 8 November 2026. Prices, apps and advice change; check the sources before you travel.

Quick facts

Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD).
Language
Moroccan Arabic (Darija) day to day; French is widely used.
Time
GMT (UTC+0) all year.
Plugs
Type C and E (European two-pin), 230 V.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild. Winters can be wet.

About Salé

  • Salé stands on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river, facing Rabat; the present town was probably founded in the 11th century by families from al-Andalus.
  • Its Great Mosque was built on the order of Yaqub al-Mansur in 1196.
  • The Marinid sultan Abu al-Hasan built the madrasa beside the Great Mosque; an inscription records that it was finished in 1341–1342. Visitors can see the students’ small cells and go up to the roof for views over the medina.
  • In the 17th century Salé was a haven for corsairs, the “Salé Rovers”, and for a time an independent republic.

Getting around

Tram

The Rabat–Salé tram crosses the Bou Regreg on the Hassan II bridge in a few minutes. Bab Lamrissa stop is by the medina gate of the same name, and line 1 serves the Rabat Ville and Salé railway stations. A single ticket costs 7 dirhams.

Taxis

Petit taxis carry up to three passengers: ask for the meter or agree the fare first.

From the airport

Rabat–Salé Airport (RBA) is in Salé itself. A bus runs to central Rabat for a flat 25 dirhams (cards accepted), every 15 minutes since January 2026, and Wetaxi, a regulated taxi app, serves Rabat and Salé.

By train

Salé Ville is the main intercity station, with trains to Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Tangier; Salé Tabriquet also serves the town.

Staying safe

The UK government’s advice for Morocco applies in Salé too: a threat of terrorism in busy places, protests in large cities that can start without warning, and petty theft in medinas. It has no separate warnings for Salé or Rabat.

  • Stay away from demonstrations and political gatherings.
  • Official guides carry a badge; ask to see it if someone offers to show you around.
  • Keep your card in sight when paying, and check goods before you leave a shop.
  • The Great Mosque is open only to worshippers; the madrasa beside it welcomes visitors.
  • Moroccan sources also give 19 for police and 15 for fire and rescue.

Emergency numbers

Police
190
Ambulance and fire
150
Gendarmerie (outside cities)
177

Places to eat nearby

Well-known restaurants near the sights, listed for convenience. Apollonaut has no connection with them and takes no bookings. Price levels (€ to €€€) are a rough guide; check opening times before you go.

  • Ô Saveurs de la Médina Salé medina, in a riad · Moroccan, roof terrace facing Rabat €€
  • Al Marsa Bouregreg marina, Salé · Spanish seafood and paella €€
  • The Marina Steakhouse Bouregreg marina, Bab Lamrissa · Steaks and grills €€€
  • Restaurant La Capitale Bouregreg marina, Salé · Moroccan and international €€
  • Abel Bouregreg marina, Bab Lamrissa · Belgian (moules-frites) €€
  • Dahlia Fairmont La Marina, Bouregreg marina · Moroccan (dinner only) €€€
Sources for this guide
Photography credits

Images have been resized and cropped for this guide.

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