Casablanca Travel Guide and Tips

Casablanca

Casablanca, the largest city of Morocco, stuns visitors with its sheer dynamism. Although, more popular as the commercial hub of the country and less as a holiday destination Casablanca offers a number of activities for those who happen to be here. The destination is much more westernised than any other part of Morocco and its artificial harbour is amongst the largest in the world. Casablanca also served as a major historical landmark during World War II by playing host to the meeting between Sir Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt.

Top Tourist Spots in Casablanca

The mysterious character of the city is worth experiencing and you can keep yourself busy exploring the Arabic architecture, sights of religious importance and the markets in the city. The Arabic architecture of the popular Mosque of Hassan II is sure to impress you and you can also visit its Turkish steam baths or Hammams, museum, library and the minaret. Head to the old medina that offers lots of shopping and quaint French architecture. The popular places of tourist interest include the following:

Shopping attractions in Casablanca

Casablanca may not be as hot a shopping destination as some of the other cities in Morocco. Still, there is ample scope for indulging in retail therapy and bargaining to one’s heart’s content. Shops usually open at about 9 am, close during lunch before reopening at around 3 pm. Lunch hours may stretch longer than usual on Fridays due to extended prayers.

Those looking for charming Moroccan souvenirs like hookahs, leather goods, and tagines may check out old Medina, while the ones with lavish tastes can have their pick of designer stuff in the Maarif neighbourhood. A must visit shopping precinct is the bustling Derb Ghraleef. For picking up fresh seafood, the Marche Central is the place to head to. Another highly famed shopping stop is the Alpha 55. This department store gives new meaning to the term, ‘all under one roof’.

Eating Out in Casablanca

Casablanca has plenty to indulge the gourmet. There are numerous restaurants catering to different palates. Here is a list of some of the most well-known places for eating out in Casablanca.

Hotels in Casablanca

There is no dearth of accommodation facilities in Casablanca. There are plenty of budget, mid range, as well as luxury options. Here are some of the most popular places for staying in the city.

Preferred Airlines to Casablanca from UK

Iberia Airlines | Air France | Lufthansa | British Airways | KLM Royal Dutch

Airports in Casablanca

The Mohammed V Airport is the busiest in the country. Besides regular domestic connections, there are numerous overseas flights especially to France and Spain. Dubai, Dakar, and New York are amongst key destinations. Another airport is the Casablanca-Anfa Airport located in the west of the city. This airport is quite small.

Best Time to Visit Casablanca

Casablanca can be visited any time of the year as there are no extreme summers or winters. In fact, temperature variations among different seasons are quite low. Cool Atlantic Ocean currents further ensure very moderate temperature fluctuations and a mild climate. Maximum precipitation occurs during winters. Overall, the destination can be classified under the category of mild semi arid Mediterranean climate.

Transport in Casablanca

There are two types of taxi service in Casablanca – Petits Taxis (small taxis) and Grands Taxis (big taxis). The former provide metered service across the central metropolitan area, while the latter serves intercity travel and specific routes within the city. Intercity buses and trains are further options.