The name of ‘Casablanca‘ brings us many memories. The film named after this city turned out to be one of the most viewed in history. Currently, Casablanca is a city that is fashionable and highly attractive to people from all over the world. Casablanca can boast of its rich social and cultural life and of being the economic and financial capital of Morocco. Located on the coast the Atlantic Ocean, it turns out to be a perfect destination for any time of the year thanks to its pleasant temperatures.
Casablanca mixes styles, it is a vibrant city … that evidences the essence of traditional Morocco with the contrasts of the most modern Morocco. The French architectural influence shows through the Art Deco and Neo-Moorish, samples of the time when the city was occupied by architects and artists who arrived leaving behind a Europe devastated by war. Casablanca provided the unique opportunity to create freely, without imposing creative barriers. The result has been the abundance of buildings with neoclassical decoration, ornamentation with art-deco and art nouveau motifs, without forgetting the influence of Moroccan art.
Casablanca, a city of film
As mentioned, the American film ‘Casablanca’ shot in 1942, placed this city on the map worldwide. And, although the scenes were not filmed in the city of Morocco, it did arouse the interest of many tourists who wanted to locate the love story of Rick and Ilsa during the Second World War, on the streets of Casablanca.
Currently, one of the tourist spots in the city is the Rick’s Café, where a good part of the film takes place, but which did not really exist until 2004. Built in a colonial mansion, it houses all the details of the movie’s Rick’s Café, where Sam’s famous piano cannot be missing.
What to see in Casablanca. 8 places you can’t miss
If you travel to Casablanca, we recommend these essential places for your visit:
- Medina of Casablanca: a more recent medina than that of the rest of Moroccan cities, but which preserves its traditional essence. It is partially surrounded by walls from the 16th century. You will find the souks with their intense commercial life where you can discover all the typical products of Morocco.
- United Nations Square: this is the nerve center of Casablanca. You can also find the famous Clock Tower. It is a perfect area to walk with a great offer of shops and restaurants where you can enjoy the country’s gastronomy.
- Boulevard Mohammed V and its surroundings: Here you can see the true heritage of the city. It is the link between the medina and the modern city. Here, the Art Deco neighborhood is located, where you can see the buildings that mix elements of modern art and elements of the Moroccan tradition. You will also find the famous Central Market, where you can buy all kinds of food. If you feel like it, you can try to make your purchase and have the restaurants around it cook it. This practice is quite common in Morocco.
- Plaza Mohamed V: it is the heart of the city. It was built by the French, where modern and traditional also coexist. Be sure to contemplate the buildings that inhabit the square, they are spectacular.
- The Great Mosque of Hassan II: it is the second largest mosque in the world and the tallest with a minaret of 200 meters. Its beauty is striking and it is undoubtedly one of the great icons of the city. Laser beams point towards Mecca and can be seen from more than 30 kilometers away. You will be surprised to know that it is built on one of the beaches of Casablanca and that one of the most beautiful moments to visit it is at sunset.
- Quartier Habous: also known as the new medina. It is the version of a traditional Moroccan medina located in modern French facilities. It is less bustling than the souk areas but you can find typical products here as well.
- The Corniche promenade: a very lively and busy area in the city, located in the Ain Diab district. More than 3 kilometers of entertainment, which gives access to the beach but also to a Spa. At the end of the walk, you will find the Sidi Abderrahman Sanctuary built on an islet and which you can only access at low tide.
- Anfa Place and Morocco Mall: within the Corniche you can find the Anfa Place, designed by Norman Foster and the Morocco Mall with impressive architecture, being the largest shopping center in Africa. It is another way to appreciate the most modern, avant-garde and luxurious side that Casablanca offers.
Complete your trip to Casablanca
First of all, don’t leave Casablanca without trying the wonderful traditional cakes of the Patisserie Bennis Habous, a small patisserie located in the Habous neighborhood.
The location of Casablanca allows the traveler to complete his trip to Casablanca with other visits. For example, an excursion to the city of Marrakech, the most visited city in Morocco; or to Rabat, the country’s capital.
Casablanca is also the starting point for spectacular excursions such as “7 days through the imperial cities of Morocco“. A comfortable way to optimize time and visit as many places as possible while enjoying each one of them.
If you have decided on Casablanca, you can start looking in advance for your accommodation and discover the varied options that the city offers.
