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Rue des Consuls (Street of the Consuls) is one of the oldest and most famous streets in Rabat, classified as a historic monument. Indeed, the history of this area goes back 500 years. In 1609, King Philip III of Spain expelled all the Moriscos (people of Muslim or Moorish descent) from the country, a good number of whom (up to 14,000) settled in Rabat and neighboring Salé, in 1627. The autonomous Corsair Republic of Salé that they formed became a base for corsairs (pirates), who preyed on merchant ships around the shores of Western Europe. Back then, the area below the Kasbah, on the south bank, grew heavily populated, and the territory of today's Rue des Consuls became an important road artery.

It was during that time that the first ambassadors came here to negotiate the release of prisoners kept by the pirates. The most famous of them, perhaps, was Louis Chénier, father of the French poet André Chénier, who served here for from 1768 to 1782, representing King of France.

Pursuant to a treaty signed with the Sultan, foreign diplomats were allowed to buy back their compatriots from the pirate captivity at the Souk El Ghazal in the special "negotiation zone". Owing to this, for centuries, first during the Republic of Salé and then under the Chérifien Empire, up until 1912, this neighborhood had been a home to numerous ambassadors and consuls, particularly European ones. Today, it still houses residences of the Swedish, Danish and Dutch envoys.

Also, Rue des Consuls is a home to the landmark craft souk renowned for the traditional carpets, rugs, jewelry, leather, silks, lamps, wooden furniture and of course the traditional babouches (loose garments) and jellabahs (slippers) sold here in abundance and attracting many tourists. Here, alongside handmade tagine pottery and other authentic stuff, you can also find dried fruits and various types of Moroccan spices.

Nestled in the heart of Rabat’s historic medina, Souk es-Sabat is one of the city’s most vibrant and sought-after shopping destinations. This covered market, recently restored, runs between the Grande Mosquée de Rabat Medina and Bab El Bahr (Sea Gate), intersecting with Rue des Consuls. Unlike the labyrinthine streets typical of many Moroccan souks, Souk es-Sabat stands out for its more structured layout, offering a unique shopping experience infused with both tradition and accessibility.

Souk es-Sabat is particularly known for its shoes, leather goods, and jewelry, making it an essential stop for those looking to purchase authentic Moroccan handicrafts. From traditional babouches (leather slippers) in every color and style to handcrafted musical instruments, the souk brims with cultural treasures.

The Gold Souk, a key part of the market, offers gold, silver, and precious jewels priced by weight rather than craftsmanship, often making them more affordable than in Europe. It's a tradition for Moroccan grooms to buy jewelry for their fiancées before the engagement party, sometimes spending six months' salary.

A visit to Souk es-Sabat often begins at Bab El Had Gate, leading visitors along Souika Street, the busiest thoroughfare of the medina. As you navigate this bustling pathway, you’ll arrive at the entrance of the souk, marked by a canopy of reed mats sheltering its vibrant stalls. This route also serves as an excellent introduction to Rabat’s medina, offering a seamless blend of history, commerce, and Moroccan charm.

For those exploring the city’s historic Oudayas neighborhood, Souk es-Sabat serves as an ideal stop along the way, immersing visitors in the sights, sounds, and scents of an authentic Moroccan marketplace.

Souika Street (Rue Souika) is one of Rabat’s liveliest and most popular shopping streets, offering a vibrant mix of local culture, commerce, and history. Located in the heart of the medina, this bustling narrow street is a sensory feast, filled with the aroma of Moroccan spices, the colorful display of handmade crafts, and the constant hum of daily life.

As the main artery of the old city, Souika Street serves as a gateway to the Spice Souk, where hundreds of stalls overflow with an assortment of essential Moroccan condiments like cumin, cinnamon, ras el hanout, and pepper. The scent of these spices fills the air, mingling with the fragrance of traditional beauty products such as kohl, used for eyeliner, and henna, widely applied for hair coloring and intricate hand designs.

Shopping enthusiasts will find an eclectic mix of goods along Souika Street, from intricately woven carpets and handcrafted pottery to stylish clothing, jewelry, and leather goods. Whether searching for a unique souvenir or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, visitors will find plenty to admire. The street also provides an excellent opportunity to observe daily life in Rabat, as locals navigate the narrow pathways, engage in friendly bargaining, and carry out their routines amidst the medina’s centuries-old backdrop.

For visitors seeking an authentic Moroccan experience, Souika Street is a must-visit. Whether shopping for traditional crafts, sampling the fragrant spices, or simply strolling through the lively passageways, this street encapsulates the essence of Rabat’s medina and its enduring charm.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Rabat, the Central Market (Marché Central) is a vibrant and bustling hub of commerce, history, and everyday life. Built in the 1920s on the site of the former Souk Tben, this market has stood the test of time, continuing to serve locals and curious visitors with an unmatched array of goods.

At the edge of Rabat's historic medina, near the prominent Avenue Hassan II, the market's covered halls offer an authentic shopping experience. Whether one seeks fresh produce, meats, seafood, spices, or household items, this sprawling space has something for everyone. The market overflows onto the adjoining square, where fast food stands to cater to hungry passersby, making it a sensory delight of scents, sights, and sounds.

Unlike some of the more tourist-oriented souks, the Central Market remains a steadfastly local affair, a place where Rabatis gather to buy and sell as they have for generations. The lively ambiance, marked by friendly haggling and the rich aroma of spices, makes every visit a unique encounter. It is also home to specialty shops under the south arcades, where spice vendors offer fragrant blends that have seasoned Moroccan cuisine for centuries.

The architecture itself, featuring five grand doors and intricate Arab-Moorish design, adds to the charm of this marketplace. Yet, even as it stands as a testament to Rabat’s commercial heritage, the market is not without its modern adaptations. A red line drawn in front of the storefronts regulates merchant displays, ensuring the market remains navigable despite its energetic sprawl.

More than just a place to shop, the Central Market of Rabat is a living piece of the city's history, an essential stop for those who seek an unfiltered glimpse into Moroccan daily life. Whether for a quick errand or a stroll among stalls brimming with colorful produce, it continues to be an unmissable destination, echoing the spirit of Rabat’s past and present.