Casablanca Must-Visit Places
Morocco’s Trendsetting Destination Casablanca
To a romantic, Casablanca is a mythical place that exists in a dream inspired by the 1942 film starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart. The reality is that the movie Casablanca was actually filmed on a soundstage in Hollywood and the real Casablanca is often overlooked by tourists who gravitate to the souks of Marrakech and Fez or the exotic beaches of Essaouira and Tangier. Casablanca is a city for travelers who like to feel like a local, rather than a tourist, and who want to experience the present as well as learn about the past. The enormity of Casablanca, Morocco’s most populous city, means visitors have to make an effort to discover its hidden details. Once you get beneath the surface, you’ll see that Casablanca’s mix of grit and style feels a lot like Los Angeles. Here’s why it’s worth a visit.
Brief Information about why it’s worth a visit.
Architecture buffs will geek out on the city’s diverse building styles, from Art Deco to radically modern. To truly understand the stories behind the city’s great buildings, join an architectural tour with Casamémoire, a nonprofit preservation organization working to have parts of the city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, is a testament to incredible craftsmanship. It took more than seven years and as many as 10,000 artisans to complete the intricate masterpiece. The palm-lined Boulevard Mohammed V, in the heart of old Casablanca, is a reminder of the French influence on the city. One of the finest examples of Art Deco design, Cinéma Rialto, lies just off the main drag. Mahkama du Pacha, located in the Habous neighborhood and built in the early 1950s, is a Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship gem. Église du Sacré-Couer, a desacralized cathedral built in the ’30s, now hosts concerts and art exhibitions and is a striking mix of Gothic and Art Deco style, while Église Notre Dame de Lourdes, built in the ’50s, is a beautiful example of Brutalist architecture with stunning stained glass panels inside.
Casablanca has a buzzy restaurant scene fueled by both locals and visitors. La Corniche, the city’s waterfront boulevard, lined with umbrella-shaded beach cafés, chic lounges, and ocean-view restaurants, wouldn’t seem out of place on the French Riviera. Unparalleled Atlantic views and a stylish crowd have made Le Cabestan the reservation to score on La Corniche, dating back to 1927, when the chic French restaurant first opened its doors. A 2011 renovation has kept the scene relevant, but the old standby now has competition from Bleu. Located just down La Corniche, the Four Seasons’s fifth-floor Mediterranean restaurant has become an instant hot spot thanks to its oceanfront views, outdoor terrace and fire pit, and smart nautical-inspired decor, including a striking mural of thousands of ceramic mussel shells created by Canadian design studio Moss & Lam. A raw bar showcases Dakhla oysters, prawns, and the day’s catch and diners can watch chefs cook behind a large custom grill in the center of the dining room. The barmen’s complex mocktails, infused with teas and made theatrical with dry ice, make up for the lack of booze (the restaurant’s liquor license is still pending).
There are a lot of different offers depending on the Agafay desert camp that you choose. But, one of the best things to do is really slow down and relax. Of course this is an amazing location to take your Marrakech camel ride (and trust me it’s a lot more atmospheric than riding a camel in the city!) You can easily go trekking or set up a meal with local families – yes people do live out here!
Horseback riding or quad bike riding are a few other activities that you can choose from or bring some cards and board games to bond with your travel companions. Some camps also offer hammam and/or massage treatments to guests in specially equipped tents.
When the sun goes does enjoy a delicious meal with a nearby campfire while gazing at the stars. It won’t be quite as clear as in the Sahara, as you can still see some of the lights from Marrakech but it is lovely for stargazing!
Casablanca Tours
What To Know About Morocco
Morocco Classic Tours
Address: 86 Lot Hiba, 30000, Morocco
Phone: +212 613-504732
Email: moroccoclassictours@gmail.com
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