Salé

Salé
سلا
Salé
Location within Morocco
Salé
Salé (Africa)
Coordinates: 34°02′43″N 6°49′04″W / 34.04528°N 6.81778°W / 34.04528; -6.81778
CountryMorocco
RegionRabat-Salé-Kénitra
Established11th century
Government
  MayorJamae Mouatassime
Elevation
0 to 115 m (0 to 377 ft)
Population
 (2024)
  Total
1.089.554
  Rank5th in Morocco
 
DemonymSlawi
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  1. The High Commission for Planning defines the city of Salé as comprising the five arrondissements of Bab Lamrissa, Bettana, Hssaine, Layayda and Tabriquet.

Salé (Arabic: سلا, romanized: salā, [salaː]) is a city in northwestern Morocco, on the right bank of the Bou Regreg river, opposite the national capital Rabat, for which it serves as a commuter town. Along with some smaller nearby towns, Rabat and Salé form together a single metropolitan area.

Founded in the 11th century, it later became a haven for pirates in the 17th century as an independent republic before being incorporated into Alawi Morocco. It recorded a population of 1.089.554 in the 2024 Moroccan census. The city still preserves its historic medina (old town), with many major monuments dating from the Marinid period (13th–15th centuries). Salé is connected to Rabat by a tramway and also contains the Rabat–Salé Airport, the main international airport serving both cities.