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10

Casablanca Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Morocco

A trip to Casablanca

Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and its economic centre. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman played a big role in the city becoming one of North Africa’s most visited places. Casablanca is a centre for the rich and famous of Africa to come together in the ritzy establishments found along the coast. Remnants of Moorish occupation can still be seen today in the imposing architecture of that time, while cultural attractions provide plenty of entertainment.

Flights to Casablanca
Mohammed V Airport is located just over 12 miles from Casablanca’s city centre. The airport’s single terminal is well equipped with all the usual amenities such as ATMs, bureaux de change, restaurants and duty-free shops. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Casablanca try Thomas Cook. A train line runs from the airport to the main station in the city and farther on to the port. The journey from the airport to the city takes about 45 minutes. Other faster options for getting into Casablanca are taxis and buses.

Traffic in Casablanca is hectic. The best way to get around is by ‘petit taxi’. These are readily available across the city and fares are calculated according to a meter. If you are brave enough to hire your own car, be sure to pay constant to attention as there is little in the way of road rules here. Most tourists never experience sitting on one of the city’s buses, as they are often overcrowded, uncomfortable and entail long waits in traffic.

Casablanca

Sightseeing in Casablanca
There is plenty to do and see in Casablanca. One of the most visited attractions is the Hassan Mosque II, the tallest religious structure in the world and home to a library, school, steam bath and even conference facilities. The architecture of the buildings found in the original Arab town, known as the Old Medina, offer an insight into the traditional design features of the 18th century.

One of the best ways for tourists to take in the sights of the city is to book a guided tour. Operators provide information in English on all the most prominent sights and background of the city’s various areas.

Fun by night – eating, drinking and partying
Nightlife in Casablanca is found in a number of districts, but is not widespread. Women should be careful if planning a night out alone. Hotel bars are often one of the safest options for females who don’t want to be hassled by local men. Nightclubs generally don’t open until 23:00 or midnight and close about 03:00. Live music can be found in many of the clubs in the city centre.

Local cuisine is rich in flavour and utilises many herbs and spices. Couscous is one of the staples and is often cooked with meat and vegetables. Restaurants across the city offer some of the best food available in all of Morocco. Whether you are on a shoestring budget or are travelling with a bulging wallet, Casablanca will be able to provide culinary offerings that will leave you satisfied.

Fun by day – shopping and activities
Casablanca port is a good place to head for during the day. The area is home to a large shopping complex called Centre 2000, featuring the best of the city’s shopping offerings. The port is also a good location for fishing or just sitting back and taking in the sites and the sounds of the harbour.

Daytrips
There are several locations that are suitable for daytrips out of Casablanca. El Jadida bears the remnants of the old Portuguese Medina and is located just outside of Casablanca. Old Portuguese ruins still line the pier where a tremendous amount of history and culture remain. The beach is gorgeous and makes for an equally impressive experience.

For a more spiritual experience, visiting the city of Fez is a viable option. The New Medina is located in Fez and here tourists get the oppoturnity to explore the many ruins and structures built during the Merinides period. A trip to the religious hub of the country would not be complete without picking up a few trinkets and souvenirs from the many souks that are scattered about the city.

Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is located only an hour outside of Casablanca and is home to the Mohammed V mausoleum and the Hassan Tower. Tourists may stroll along the Bouregrag River and enjoy the natural beauty of the city. The Kasbah of the Oudayas and the Meshouar are a couple of must-see venues of Rabat before heading back to Casablanca.

Must-see attractions
Should you find yourself in Casablanca during the summer months and at a weekend, the hotspot for tourists and locals is Ain Diab. The beaches here are beautiful and many flock to sunbathe, play beach sports or simply lounge and relax. The best way to get to this area of town is via a red taxi.

If you are enjoying the water and want a romantic experience, the El Hank Lighthouse sits at the edge of the beach and offers amazing views of the sea. There are cafés and restaurants here and the best time to visit the lighthouse is during the evening or at night.

For parents with little ones in tow, there are many amusement parks around the city. The Sinbad Amusement Park is probably the most popular theme park in Casablanca and provides fun for the entire family. For culture and tradition several hotels, such as the Sheraton Casablanca, host live cultural dinner performances a few times a week.

For rest, relaxation and an overall spa-like experience, visit the Hamman Ziani bath house in the centre of town. This traditional way of cleansing and rejuvenating the body includes everything from Jacuzzi treatments, massages, body scrubs and juice bars.

Best time to go
The summer months are usually the hottest and most uncomfortable for tourist from cooler parts of the world. The winters see cooler temperatures in the mid-20°C. There are a couple of festivals during the month of October so tourists who wish to partake in the festivities should plan to visit around the International Dance Festival and the International Poetry Festival. For those not very fond of the rain, November to December sees the most rainfall.

Rainy day suggestions
On rainy days try catching a movie or two at the Rialto Cinema. Even if sitting through a movie doesn’t sound appealing, the architectural beauty of the building is well worth the trip. The Cathedral of Sacré Coeur has been utilised for everything from a culture and arts centre to an educational institute. Spend rainy days roaming around the halls and admiring the interior. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism is the only Jewish museum in a Muslim country as well as the only museum in Casablanca.

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