Casablanca

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For many, “Casablanca” conjures up a black and white image of Humphrey Bogart’s long stare into the eyes of Ingrid Bergman, as he coos “here’s looking at you kid.” Rest assured, Casablanca is no black and white city. You will be blown away by the city’s colorful markets, architecture, and museums. Affording its visitors a range of activities and environments, from an ocean side stroll to a walk through the ancient, winding streets of the Old Medina, Casablanca is a city steeped in history easily accessed by anyone with two legs and the initiative to explore.

The Top 10: What to Do in Casablanca

1. Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur: The exterior of Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur is a magnificent display of Moroccan architectural design. Built in 1930 by French architect Paul Tournon, the architecture is a mix of traditional Moroccan designs and Art Deco. Taking the stairs up onto the roof will provide you with a great view of Casablanca.

2. Villa des Arts: Housing international and Moroccan contemporary art alike, the Villa des Arts is a wonderful museum. The building is a restored colonial mansion, with whitewashed walls, and a beautiful fountain out front, the grounds are a great place to stop and eat lunch before or after visiting the exhibits.

3. Hassan II Mosque: Located in Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque is one of the world’s largest mosques. It covers approximately 22 acres, including a section built over the Atlantic Ocean. Designed by French architect Michel Pinseau, the mosque reflects traditional Moroccan architecture but with interesting modern additions, such as heated floors, an earthquake-proof foundation, and a retractable roof. Additionally, there are lights that shine from the minarets towards Mecca every night.

4. Museum of Moroccan Judaism: Built on the foundation of a demolished Jewish orphanage, this museum details the history of Moroccan Jews. There used to be approximately 250,000 Jews living in Morocco, but today there are only around 7,000. The museum has multiple displays with Jewish artifacts, a life-sized replica of a synagogue’s interior, as well as a detailed history of the 2,000 years Jews have lived in Morocco. We recommend visiting the museum for a better understanding of the very diverse culture that helped to create modern Morocco.

5. Casablanca Port: The largest artificial port on earth is an amazing place to take a walk and watch the commercial transport and fishing vessels come and go. The port is one of the reasons why Casablanca became such an important city, and visiting the port will give you a better understanding of how it has such a huge effect on Morocco’s economy. Bring along a camera, as the scene can be very majestic with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop.

6. Old Medina: The winding streets of the Old Medina are a remnant of Casablanca’s Muslim heritage and are an ideal environment for the souq, or market. Like the markets in other Moroccan cities, this is a perfect place to buy all of those gifts and souvenirs you have been looking for. Support local craftsmen by buying hand-woven rugs, enjoy the beautiful colors of the spice market, or try bargaining down the price of some jewelry. We know you will have a great time exploring the narrow alleyways between the whitewashed stone buildings.

7. New Medina: Built in the 1930s to create more space for housing, the New Medina sets the look for Casablanca and is now the main shopping location in the city. The streets are rather charming and shopping in the souq is an interesting activity, as the bargaining process can become quite lengthy. We recommend strolling through the olive souq, situated in a small courtyard, where large tubs of fragrant olives sit next to spices and oils. After walking through the New Medina, take a look at the nearby Palais Royal.

8. Palais Royal: Like all of the royal palaces in Morocco, it is impossible to enter into the royal compound. However, the beautiful architecture, well-maintained landscape, and national significance of the palace make it a worthwhile photo op during your trip. Keep in mind that photographing police or Army personnel is strictly forbidden.

9. La Corniche: If you are looking for a scenic walk along the beach, then La Corniche is the place to go. Lined with restaurants, exclusive clubs, and pools, this walk along the coast is a great way to enjoy the weather. Come back at night for some of the city’s best nightlife.

10. Rialto Cinema: Take a break from all the walking around that you have been doing and catch a movie at the Rialto Cinema. Built in 1930, the cinema was constructed in the classic Art Deco style that makes for an elegant environment in which to watch a movie.

When to Go

We recommend visiting anytime from April through October, as it gets to be very rainy from November through March. The peak tourist season is July and August, so if you can manage the crowds, then this would be the best time to go. If you are looking for fewer tourists but still pleasant weather, September, October, and March through June are good times to go. Because of its location on the Mediterranean, the weather will generally be around the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit no matter when you visit.