Casablanca, the economic metropolis, is Morocco's largest, most vibrant and most densely populated city. Don't know where to start? Don't panic! We have selected 5 essential sites that you can visit in 2 or 3 days:
The Habbous Quarter: Built in the 1920s under the impetus of Marshal Lyautey who wanted to provide Casablanca with a modern medina, it subtly combines traditional Moroccan architecture with European urbanism. Along its picturesque streets, under the arcades, leather and copper craftsmen rub shoulders with booksellers, tailors, sellers of djellabas, souvenirs or preserved olives. Need a break after visiting the Souk? For a popular atmosphere, the Imperial café is ideal. For a more chic setting, prefer the terrace of the Maqam café restaurant.
The Old Medina: The original nucleus of the city, its walls punctuated by 8 gates (including Bab Marrakech and Bab el Marsa) hide treasures of history and architecture, such as the emblematic Jemaa al Kabir dating from the 18th century or the mausoleum of Sidi Bousmara. With an area of 50 hectares, adjacent to the port, the medina is a real human anthill where merchants, craftsmen and street vendors are active morning and evening. In its colorful bazaars, in the maze of its alleys and in its old-fashioned tea salons, time seems to have stopped in the middle of the last century. La Sqala, a fort built in 1769 by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah, houses a café-restaurant with an Andalusian garden very popular with Casablancans. In the mellah, don't miss the Ettedgui synagogue (restored in 2016), Dar Rabbi Haïm Pinto or the old Jewish cemetery, which has not welcomed any burial since 1947.
Downtown: Located just outside the old medina, it is the beating heart of the city. An important Jewish community once lived there, as evidenced by the still active synagogues. Its main arteries are Mohammed V Boulevard, Hassan II Boulevard, Rachidi Boulevard and Anfa Boulevard. Many of its buildings are emblematic of the French protectorate period and protected, such as Mohammed V Square and its superb Art Deco and Neo-Moorish buildings, the Lincoln Hotel (1916), the Assayag building (1930) or the Rialto cinema (1930). Want fish, vegetables or fresh fruit? Take a tour of the Central Market (1917), a treat for the taste buds!
Hassan II Mosque: Built between 1986 and 1993 under the impetus of King Hassan II, partly above the Atlantic, it is the largest mosque in Africa with a capacity of 120,000 worshippers. Its 210-meter high minaret is the tallest in the world. The Hassan II Mosque is the joint work of French architect Michel Pinseau and some 6,000 specialized Moroccan craftsmen. Visitors remain amazed by the beauty of its architecture, its marble and zellige coverings, its carved cedar wood and its 2,400m2 retractable roof. The annex buildings include a library, a media library, a madrasa, a museum and hammams.
The Corniche-Ain Diab: It's well known, Casablancans love to go out, in all weather and all seasons. The Corniche is one of their favorite entertainment venues. Beaten by the Atlantic swell, you can fill up on iodine, ice cream or fritters. The Corniche promenade extends from Hassan II Mosque to Morocco Mall. In the evening, it is very lively and offers leisure and pleasure for all budgets. Its cafés, restaurants, pubs, oriental cabarets and nightclubs remain open until dawn for many.