Casablanca is situated on the North Atlantic coast of Morocco. It is its largest city and sits at the heart of its economic life. This cosmopolitan city epitomises modern Morocco, yet amidst its striking colonial architecture and Art Deco buildings there nestles the ancient medina. Its striking modernity also plays out under the watchful gaze of the impressive Hassan II Mosque. The bright young things of Casablanca like to eat well and party hard – why not join them?
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Casablanca
The Medina – The surprisingly small medina is testament to just how recent Casablanca’s growth has been. It’s pleasant to stroll through the medina, but it does lack some of the historical grandeur that can be found in other Moroccan cities. Why not book a tour of the Imperial Cities to see for yourself?
Hassan II Mosque – North of the medina is the world’s third largest religious monument. This enormous building can hold 25,000 worshippers inside and accommodate a further 80,000 in its esplanades. It is one of the few Islamic religious buildings that is open to all faiths.
The Nouvelle Medina – This intriguing area was built by the French in the 1930s as an idealised version of a Moroccan medina. Head over to here if you wish to do a bit of souvenir shopping - it houses a large selection of bazars.
Central Casablanca – In the area around the Place de Nations Unies you will find the majority of Casablanca’s swanky bars, nightclubs and restaurants. There are some of the best dining options in Morocco to be found here, as well as some of the loveliest bars and clubs.
’Ain Diab – Here the beach really comes to life. This affluent area in the west of Casablanca is filled with super-trendy restaurants, bars, coffee shops and nightclubs. There is plenty to keep you going both day and night.
Things to See in Casablanca
The sheer scale of the Hassan II Mosque is a wonder to behold: it took 10,000 craftsmen to complete it in time for King Hassan II’s 60th birthday in 1993. Take a guided tour to see the interior. There are many other fine pieces of architecture to admire in the city and most city tours will point out to you gems such as the main post office, the Palais de Justice and the Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur.
Things to Do in Casablanca
You will not be able to resist asking them to ‘play it again’ when you book an evening meal in Rick’s Cafe, where Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman found romance in the classic film ‘Casablanca’. It’s also hard to resist the temptation to buy some local arts and crafts when you visit the Nouvelle Medina. You can book a tour of historic Rabat, and the other Imperial Cities, from Casablanca to take in the history of Morocco, or you can just party away with the bright young things to experience its modern face.
