Morocco Travel Guide

SOUQS

RIAD

There are two more shrines in Salé: the Zawiya of Sidi Ahmed Tijani Offline map Google map ,
on the lane between the mosque and medersa, and the white Koubba of Sidi ben Ashir at-
Taleb Offline map Google map in the cemetery northwest of the mosque.

Souqs

From the Grande Mosquée, head back to the souqs via the Rue Ras ash-Shajara which
becomes Rue Mellah el Kadim, a street lined with houses built by wealthy merchants. Shaded
by trees and unchanged for centuries, the atmospheric Souq el-Ghezel Offline map Google map
(Wool Market), makes an interesting stop. Here, men and women haggle over the price and
quality of rough white wool as it hangs from ancient scales suspended from a large tripod.

In  the nearby  Souq    el-Merzouk  Offline map Google  map ,   textiles,   basketwork  and jewellery   are

crafted and sold. Also on sale are the woven grass mats used in mosques, for which Salé is
famous. The least interesting souq for travellers is the Souq el-Kebir Offline map Google map ,
featuring second-hand clothing and household items.

Sleeping & Eating

Now that the tram has made Salé more accessible, guesthouses are opening in the medina.
There are plenty of hole-in-the-wall cafes in the souqs and surrounding streets, as well as in the
area just south of Pl Bab Khebaz.

The Repose €€

Offline map Google  map (    0537   88  29  58; www.therepose.com;  17  Zankat  Talaa,  Ras

Chejra; ste Dh650-850; ) This traditional medina house has been carefully renovated to
provide four delightfully different rooms. The leafy roof terrace is a haven of peace and very
private. The knowledgeable owners will help with tours and cooking classes, and only
vegetarian food is served.

Information

There are a few banks along Rue Fondouk Abd el-Handi.

Perfect Computer (Bab al-Jedid; per hr Dh4; 9am-10pm) Internet access.

Pharmacy (Pl Bab Khebaz).

Getting There & Away

Bus Salé’s main bus station is 1km east of the medina, but buses from Rabat also stop outside
Bab Mrisa. From Rabat take bus 12, 13, 14, 16 or 34 (Dh5) from Place al-Mellah just off Ave
Hassan II, and get off at Bab Khebaz. This is also the place to take the bus back.

Taxi Pick up a taxi in Rabat close to the Hôtel Bou Regreg, on Ave Hassan II; ask for the Bab
Bou Haja or Bab Mrisa. From Salé there are departures from Bab el-Jedid and Bab Mrisa (Dh4
one way). Note that petits taxis are not permitted to travel between Rabat and Salé. Grands
taxis for Kenitra leave from just north of the train station (Dh15).

Train Trains run to/from Rabat, but the tram or grands taxis are probably the simplest options.
Trains north to Kenitra run every 30 minutes (Dh15).