Highlights of Casablanca

If you're arriving into Morocco on a long-haul flight, chances are you'll touch down in Casablanca, a city that gets a bad rap when it comes to Morocco's tourist destinations. With a population of around 3.5 million, it is Morocco's largest city, the country's principal commercial hub and home to one of Africa’s busiest ports.  Here are some of the highlights of this sprawling urban centre.

The Casablanca skyline, looking across the Arab League Park

Casablanca's stand-out visitor attraction is the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this imposing mosque, completed in 1993, features intricate marble work, hand-carved wooden ceilings and stunning mosaics. Its vast scale can accommodate 25,000 worshippers inside and 80,000 in the courtyard outside. At night, a laser shines from the top of the minaret in the direction of Mecca. It is one of the few religious buildings in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to visit and guided tours are conducted throughout the day, in several languages. Go early to avoid the crowds.

Hassan II Mosque

For architecture enthusiasts, Casablanca is home to a collection of Art Deco buildings, including the Post Office and Palais de Justice, on Place Mohammed V, the Cinema Rialto and the Sacré-Coeur Church. Now an events space, the Sacré-Cœur Church, sometimes referred to as the Casablanca Cathedral, is a stunning, brilliant-white building, dating from 1930, mixing Art Deco, Moroccan and Neo-Gothic architecture. It stands on the edge of the Arab League Park.

Sacre Coeur Church

The Villa des Arts is another striking Art Deco building, also overlooking the Arab League Park. Housing a small art gallery with temporary exhibitions, showcasing Moroccan contemporary art, it is open every day. There is no charge to visit.

Villa des Arts

If you're looking for a green space to escape the chaos of the city, head to the Arab League Park, an urban park covering about 30 acres in the city centre. Rows of towering palm trees, fountains and tiled water channels provide a peaceful oasis in downtown Casablanca.

The Arab League Park

Another option for a relaxing stroll, is to head to La Corniche, Casablanca’s coastal promenade that stretches for many kilometres alongside the Atlantic Ocean. It is popular with both locals and tourists for its sandy beaches, trendy cafés and oceanfront restaurants.

La Corniche

Casablanca's Central Market, built in 1917, is a hive of activity, with vendors selling flowers, meat, fish and fresh produce. If you enjoy fish and seafood, choose a selection from the fish sellers and have it cooked at one of the little restaurants behind the market.

Le Marché Central

The Habous District

The Habous District, sometimes referred to as the 'new medina,' was built during the French Protectorate period and brings together traditional Moroccan and French styles. Here, you’ll find local artisan shops, bookstores and antique sellers.  And don’t miss Patisserie Bennis Habous for some of the best cakes and pastries in Casablanca.

 You can easily while away a couple of hours here, wandering the pedestrian-friendly streets.

The old medina in Casablanca isn't as vast or chaotic as the medinas of Marrakech or Fes, and lacks the medieval charm of some of Morocco's other popular medinas, but its maze of narrow alleyways is still worth a visit. Enter through the main gate, Bab Marrakech, on Ave Tahar El Alaoui, or from the gate on one corner of United Nations Square. You'll find tightly packed shops, market stalls and street vendors in this area, selling cheap clothes, shoes, everyday items and, of course, souvenirs. Keep walking north towards the ocean and you'll pass through the residential district of the medina where you can catch a glimpse of a more traditional Casablanca way of life.

The old medina

Casablanca has a huge range of restaurants, but, for a unique dining experience, visit Rick’s Café, a stylish recreation of the café featured in the movie Casablanca. Though the film wasn’t shot in Morocco, the restaurant has captured the nostalgia of this 1942 Hollywood movie, with its Art Deco interiors, Moroccan décor, and jazz musicians.  The cocktails aren’t bad either! Make a reservation in advance.

Rick's Cafe

Although Casablanca might not have the romantic allure of Marrakech or the medieval magic of Fes, it has a charisma all of its own and plenty to offer visitors who have a day or two to explore.