Salé Medina is the historic core of Salé, on the right bank of the Bouregreg River opposite Rabat. On a day trip, you can focus on the old town’s gates and religious landmarks, then add time along the riverfront.
- Location: Salé lies across the Bouregreg from Rabat.
- Station: Gare de Salé Ville is about a 10-minute drive from Az Hotel Rabat Centre.
- Old-town landmarks: Bab Lemrissa, Borj Domoue and the Great Mosque.
- Tram ticket: A single ticket costs 7 MAD and is valid across the network for one hour after first validation.
Cross from Rabat to Salé
The Rabat–Salé tramway is a practical way to travel between the two cities, which face each other across the Bouregreg. Its ticket covers travel across the network for one hour after first validation, including transfers between different tram lines.
Buy a ticket through the Tram Mobile app, at a ticket vending machine or from an authorized retailer; you cannot buy one inside a tram. Validate your ticket each time you board and keep it until you leave the arrival station.
The tram operator says its tram units are accessible to wheelchair users through the central doors. Children under seven must travel with an accompanying person, and children under four travel free when seated on an accompanying adult’s lap.
If your route starts at Rabat City Station, how to get around Rabat from the station can help you plan that part of the trip.
Get oriented in Salé Medina
Salé’s old town is marked by historic gates and landmarks, including Bab Lemrissa, Borj Domoue—also known as the old Sqala—and the Great Mosque. These give you a clear focus for a walk through the medina rather than a list of stops spread across the city.
The Great Mosque stands in the Talâa quarter. From Bab Lakhmis, the walking approach takes 8–10 minutes. The mosque is also known locally as Jamaa Lkbir; the city describes it as a spiritual and scientific monument.
For another medina walk on the Rabat side of the river, what to see along Rabat Medina and Rue des Consuls covers its streets and shopping area.
Visit Salé’s historic landmarks
The Great Mosque and the Merinid medersa beside it form the monumental heart of the city. The mosque’s exterior is freely accessible, while its interior is reserved for Muslims. The site is free to access, with no ticket or reservation required.
Opening hours can vary with the cultural programme, so check on site before visiting. Keep the access distinction in mind when planning: the exterior is open to visitors, but entry to the interior is restricted.
Add the Bouregreg waterfront
The Bouregreg waterfront gives your medina visit a natural riverside addition: Salé stands on one bank, with Rabat opposite. You can pair time by the river with the old-town landmarks, then cross back to Rabat by tram.
For a simple sequence, make the medina your main stop, visit the landmarks around Talâa, and leave the riverfront for the part of the outing when you want to be outdoors by the water. The river’s position between the two cities also makes it a useful way to keep the geography of the day in view.
Check transport and site access
Before you set out, check the Rabat–Salé tramway operator’s official site before you go for current ticket details and service information. The operator lists a commercial agency inside Salé Ville ONCF station, with regular hours Monday–Friday 08:30–18:00 and Saturday 09:00–13:30; separate schedules apply during Ramadan and the school year.
For the Great Mosque, confirm opening arrangements on site, since hours may vary with its cultural programme. Its exterior remains the part visitors can access freely, while the interior is reserved for Muslims.
FAQs
What are the main landmarks in Salé Medina?
Key old-town landmarks include Bab Lemrissa, Borj Domoue (the old Sqala) and the Great Mosque, also known locally as Jamaa Lkbir.
Can visitors enter the Great Mosque of Salé?
The exterior is freely accessible, but the interior is reserved for Muslims. The site is free, with no ticket or reservation required.
How long is a Rabat–Salé tram ticket valid?
A single ticket is valid across the tram network for one hour after first validation, including transfers between different lines. Validate it every time you board.