Casablanca is the commercial and industrial ‘capital’ of Morocco, and is often referred to as the “United States of Morocco”. It is one of Africa’s largest cities with almost 4 million inhabitants, and its port is one of the largest artificial ports in the world, and the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy.
Although possibly the first place many people think of when speaking of Morocco, it is not terribly interesting for tourists. The Old Medina (the part of town that pre-dates the French protectorate – or what is left of it!) is very small and attracts fewer tourists than other cities such as Fes and Marrakech, even though it has had some restoration in recent years, including the western walls, its ‘skala’, or bastion, and its colonial period clock tower.
Many have a romantic notion of going so they can have a drink in “Rick’s Cafe”, but contrary to popular belief and a fact that disappoints many – not one inch of the film ‘Casablanca’ was actually shot in Casablanca…
Sightseeing
Hassan II Mosque
Designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau, Casablanca is home to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque. It is situated on a peninsula looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through an enormous glass floor with room for 25,000 worshippers, with space for another 80,000 in the mosque’s courtyard. Its minaret is the tallest in the world at 210 metres.
Work on the mosque was started in 1980 with the intention for it to be completed for the 60th birthday of the former Moroccan king, Hassan II, in 1989. However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993.
The cost to construct the Mosque was estimated at $800 million.
Other sights
- Port of Casablanca
- Cathédrale Sacré-Coeur (Catholic Cathedral)
- City Hall
- Casablanca Technopark
- Casablanca Twin Centre
Although we do not currently feature any Casablanca hotels on our website we are able to recommend and price for accommodation in the city should you decide you would really like to stay here. Alternatively, take a look at accommodation in other Moroccan cities recommeded by us instead:
