Sights in Casablanca
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Hassan II Mosque
The brainchild and crowning achievement of King Hassan II, this phenomenal building is the world's third-largest mosque. It was built to commemorate the former king's 60th birthday and opened in 1993 giving Casablanca the heart and landmark it so sorely missed.
The mosque rises above the ocean on a rocky outcrop reclaimed from the sea; taking literally the verse from the Quran that states that God's throne was built upon the water. It's a vast building that can hold 25,000 worshippers and accommodate a further 80,000 in the courtyards and squares around it. The mosque was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and is topped by a soaring 210m-tall minaret, which…
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Art Deco Buildings
If you can see past the traffic, fumes and general chaos of central Casablanca you'll discover the city's rich architectural heritage, a blend of French-colonial design and traditional Moroccan style known as Mauresque architecture. Developed in the 1930s and heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement, it embraced decorative details such as intricate carved friezes, beautiful tile work and ornate wrought-iron balconies.
Although some of the era's gems have been beautifully restored, others lie in shameful disrepair. Pl Mohammed V is the grand centrepiece of the French regeneration scheme. Impressive facades and colonial buildings line Rue Indriss Lahrizi, Rue Tahar Sebti…
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Place Mohammed V
Place Mohammed V is the grand centrepiece of the French regeneration scheme. The vast square is surrounded by an impressive array of august administrative buildings, mostly designed by Henri Prost and Robert Marrast. The ancienne préfecture (old police headquarters), dating from 1930, dominates the south side of the square and is topped by a modernist clock tower.
The nearby Palais de Justice (law courts) was built in 1925. The huge main door and entrance was inspired by the Persian iwan, a vaulted hall that usually opens into the central court of the medersa (theological college) of a mosque. Stroll across the grand square and admire the 1918 main post office, a…
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Quartier Habous
The Quartier Habous, or nouvelle medina, is Morocco-lite - an idealised, almost toy-town, version of a traditional medina with neat little rows of streets and shop stalls. The district was built by the French in the 1930s as an attempted solution to the ongoing housing shortage. It marries the best of traditional Moroccan architecture with modern facilities and French ideals - even the mosque fronts onto a strip of grassy lawn just like a village church.
For fans of the bustle and chaos of traditional markets, it may feel too sanitised to be authentic, but if you fancy some Moroccan character without the associated smells and hassle, it's got a decent selection of…
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Ancienne Medina
Casablanca's modest medina gives an idea of just how small the city was before the French embarked on their massive building programme. Even though it's the oldest part of the city, most of the buildings date from the 19th century and it lacks the medieval character of other city medinas.
Enter the medina from the northeast corner of the Pl des Nations Unies near the restored clock tower. The narrow lanes to the east are piled high with cheap shoes, high-sheen synthetic underwear and household goods, while the rest of the medina remains largely residential. On the north side of the medina, facing the port, you'll see the last remains of Casablanca's 18th-century…
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Beaches
The affluent suburb of Aïn Diab runs along the Atlantic beachfront west of the centre and is home to the happening Blvd de la Corniche. Lined with beach clubs, upmarket hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs it is the entertainment hub of Casablanca and the place for young, chic professionals to see and be seen.
However, the promenade packed with walkers and joggers is really a potholed pavement and in between the busy beach clubs, the view is spoiled by abandoned pleasure grounds and concrete swimming pools filled with construction rubbish. The beach is still extremely popular though, and the easiest way to find an empty strip of sand is to visit one of the beach clubs.…
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Casablanca's Neighbourhoods
Casablanca is Morocco's commercial hub and is more interested in big international business than the tourist dollar. For the traveller it can be a pretty workaday place to visit and for its size has a dearth of traditional tourist attractions. Apart from the incredible Hassan II Mosque, the city's main appeal is in strolling around its neighbourhoods: the Art Deco style of the city centre, the gentrified market district of the Quartier Habous and the beachfront views of the Corniche.
You'll appreciate Casablanca more if you've seen other parts of Morocco first and can compare its cosmopolitan vibe to life in the rest of the country.
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Jewish Museum
Set in a beautiful villa surrounded by lush gardens, this is Casablanca’s only museum and the only Jewish museum in the Islamic world. It relates the history of the once-thriving Jewish community and its influence on modern Moroccan society, with more than 1500 historical artefacts including documents, traditional clothing, ceremonial items and a vast collection of photographs. The museum is in the suburb of Oasis, a 15-minute taxi ride (Dh20) from the city centre.
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Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur
On the northwest edge of the Parc de la Ligue Arabe you can't miss the imposing Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur, a massive white church that gracefully blends European style and traditional Moroccan influences. The cathedral was designed by Paul Tornon in 1930 and has been used as a school, theatre and cultural centre. It is due to be restored and its rundown interior is only open for special events.
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Twin Center
Southwest of the Parc de la Ligue Arabe is the city’s business centre and the place to head for international designer brands. At the time of research, the Twin Center – marking the high-end of the chic shopping area – was about to open a shopping mall, luxury hotel and office spaces.
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Mahakma du Pasha
To the south of the Quartier Habous (Nouvelle Medina) is the old Mahakma du Pasha, which has more than 60 rooms decorated with sculpted wooden ceilings, stuccowork, wrought-iron railings and earthenware floors.
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Villa des Arts
Located in a converted art-deco building near the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, the gorgeous 1930s Villa des Arts holds exhibitions of contemporary Moroccan and international art.
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La Princière Salon de Thé
Impressive facades line both sides of Rue Indriss Lahrizi. Check out the prize piece, La Princière Salon de Thé, easily recognised by the huge stone crown on the roofline.
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Miami Plage
The largest beach club in Aïn Diab is Miami Plage, which has basketball courts, beach umbrellas, a swimming pool and a restaurant and bar.
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Chleuh Mosque
The old city's main Friday mosque is the Chleuh Mosque along Rue Chakab Arsalane in the old medina.
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Parc de la Ligue Arabe
Casa's biggest open space is the Parc de la Ligue Arabe. It's a good place for games and walks, has a choice of small cafés and the Yasmina amusement park.
Parc de la Ligue Arabe, has an essentially French layout, although the flora is more faithful to its location in Africa. Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur, built in 1930, is a somewhat neglected former cathedral. It's also an unexpected sight in the heart of a Muslim city and is symbolic of modern Casablanca's essentially European genesis. Sitting on the edge of the Parc de la Ligue Arabe, it reflects the best of the more adventurous architectural products of the Art Deco era. Deconsecrated some time ago, it has been…
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Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is to the north of the Quartier Habous (Nouvelle Medina).
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