Areas of Interest in Casablanca

For shoppers not confident in negotiation should visit Exposition Nationale d’Artisanat where there are fixed prices for crafts.  Although it only opens mornings from 8am to noon the Medina is still worth a wander down.  The southern end of the Medina opening onto the Place des Nations Unies shows the contrast between the ancient and modern Casablanca.

The Cathedrale du Sacre Coeur is a rare art deco cathedral with 1930s design and the Hassan II Mosque is the second largest in the world.  Situated perfectly on the Atlantic Shore it cost around £400 million to build and can hold 25,000 worshippers.  It has been said that St Pauls Cathedral could actually fit inside the Mosque and it is the only working mosque in Morocco that can be entered by non Muslims during the organised tour at 2pm each Friday.

If it gets too hot in the city a petit taxi offers a cheap ride to la Corniche.  The grand seaside boulevard on the Atlantic offers impromptu beach football and exquisite seafood restaurants.  The Parc de la Ligue Arabe also offers an escape with it’s vast public gardens and plentiful cafes.  The Hammam Zaiani offer the best baths on Abou Rakrak with steamy relaxation from 7am to 10pm daily.

Eating Out in Casablanca

The Central Market has a great range of produce, some of which ends up at the cafes immediately to the west.  Chicken, chips and salad can be picked up for a very low price.

The Patisserie de L’Opera offers a bit of French style on Boulevard du 11 Janvier.  The classic bakery offers strong coffee and fresh bread ideal for a quick breakfast or lunch.

For award winning Moroccan cuisine A Ma Bretagne at the end of the Cornishe offers an amazing location with an imaginative menu.  Splendid wines go perfectly alongside each dish.

Casablanca's Night Life

Rick’s Café replicates one of the most memorable locations in cinema history.  The creator Kathy Kriger who set up the company went back to the original design studios to ensure each and every detail was correct.  The pianist plays ‘As Time Goes By’ while the bar serves Casablanca beer and cocktails.  The house cocktail ‘Sour Dhid’ is worth a try with whiskey sour and red vermouth.  The café can be found on the northern edge of the Median at Boulevard Sour Jdid and it also serves good food.

From The Airport to Casablanca

The Airport is 20 kilometres out of town and the cheapest transfer is via the train link to Casablanca Voyageurs Station taking around half an hour.  The taxi fares vary and the result is often dependent on the riders bargaining skills.