Casablanca is not just the name of one of Hollywood’s most famous films but is an important port city by the Atlantic Ocean in Morocco and home to more than 3.3 million people. It’s a treasure trove of sights, experiences and encounters that promises a thrilling time for tourists when they come to the country’s largest metropolis.
Visitors to Casablanca — up to the mid-1700s as Anfa, meaning “hill” — see the legacy of the French influence during their colonial time in Morocco between 1912-1956. During that period, unique Mauresque architecture developed, blending Berber, Moorish and European Art Deco styles.
Today, global commerce and finance drive Casablanca, and its port has become one of the largest in the world. For the visitor, there’s lots to see, and here are some of the top things to do in Casablanca, Morocco.
This mosque is the largest Islamic place of worship in Africa and well worth a visit. At 210 metres, it has the second tallest minaret in the world, with a laser pointing the way to Mecca. Not surprisingly, the Hassan II Mosque, built by the late King Hassan to honour King Mohammed V, who died in 1961, is the dominant point in Casablanca. The building, completed in 1993, has room for an astonishing 25,000 people inside and another further 80,000 outside.
Like other major cities of Morocco, Casablanca has its own famous marketplace, called Central Market, a must-see for any tourist. As you wander around the Neo-Mauresque architecture structure and its many vendors, you’ll find it noisy, brash, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours selling fresh fruit and vegetables to handcrafted items, lamps, shoes, flowers, trinkets …..
The Old Medina of Casablanca is the authentic Moroccan part of the city — compared to much of the rest, heavily influenced by the French colonial period. Here you can walk around the ancient streets to the various sellers and their exotic wares. Your hotel or tour company can organize a guided tour of the Old Medina, where it’s advisable to beware of pickpockets.
Other interesting places to visit in Casablanca include the imposing Cathedral du Sacre Coeur (“Casablanca Cathedral”) with its blend of Art Deco and Gothic Revival architecture. Then there is the serene Place Mohamed V, the city’s central plaza surrounded by many important buildings and the Corniche, or beach area of the city, where you can soak up the Moroccan sun and dine at great restaurants and party at lush beach clubs.
And don’t forget to drop into Rick’s Café — a “gin joint” designed to recreate the glory of the Bogart-Bergman film that brought Casablanca to the world and immortalised it with such memorable lines as “Here’s looking at you, kid”. You could say the same for the city.
You can visit Casablanca as part of tours of Morocco arranged by Desert Majesty. Get in touch now and plan your great Moroccan adventure.