Casablanca reads like a story that begins in Rick’s Cafe, a replica of the gin joint from the 1942 film where Ingrid Bergman’s character was reunited with Humphrey Bogart’s. The place may be famous to everyone at least by name due to the amazing Hollywood classic, but Casablanca is much more than that. Come and see the beautiful Morocco and whether you are looking for adventure, a sumptuous retreat, a holiday filled with culture, or the most remarkable shopping holiday ever, this place will exceed your expectations.
Image courtesy of Christopher Rose at Flickr.com
Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco, situated in the central-western section of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest city in the Maghreb, as well as one of the largest and most important cities in Africa, both economically and demographically, being Morocco’s main port. The city is overflowing with art galleries, top-notch restaurants, the best fashion designers and vibrant nightlife. You can spend your afternoons in medina or the huge shopping mall that’s the largest in Africa. Casablanca is a meeting of cultures, a broad-minded city that welcomes visitors into her arms.
Hassan II Mosque
Also known as the Grande Mosquée Hassan II, is the largest mosque in Morocco and the 13th largest in the world as well as the tallest minaret in the world at 210 meters. The building is a beautiful mix of Islamic architecture and Moroccan elements that reflect Moorish influences and urban design. The minaret itself is topped with a laser beam that shoots its light a distance of over 30 kilometers pointing towards Mecca. Seeing the interior requires you to get a guided tour since non-Muslims aren’t allowed inside the building unaccompanied, however, even the outside of the building is a beautiful sight to behold.
Shopping in Casablanca
Medina is a great destination to get lost and explore the small shops and markets in search for traditional wares and crafts. Make sure you come ready to barter for better prices, remember that this is something that is pretty much expected in this culture and it may be seen as disrespectful if you don’t. Make sure to check out the Marche Central in the center of town for great food, spices and fish. This takes place daily along the Boulevard Mohammed V, which is Casablanca’s busiest shopping street. Morocco Mall in the Boulevard de Biarritz is another great stop for those who love to shop in style. This is the largest mall in the entire African continent.
Image courtesy of xiquinhosilva at Flickr.com
A Unique Spa
Your trip to Casablanca is not complete unless you visit a traditional Hammam. A Turkish bath or hammam is the Islamic variant of the Roman bath, steam bath, sauna, or Russian banya, distinguished by a focus on water, instead of ambient steam. The experience starts with relaxation in a room that is heated by a continuous flow of hot, dry air, allowing you to sweat freely. After that, you may then move to an even hotter room before washing in cold water. After performing a full body wash and receiving a massage, bathers finally retire to the cooling-room for a period of relaxation. You will feel refreshed and new. There are many different places that offer the services depending of your type of family and if you travel with children as well.
The Corniche
The Ain Diab Corniche is also known as the South Beach of Casablanca. The beautiful boardwalk is filled with restaurants and bars where you will for sure find something to your liking. The water is usually visited by surfers and swimmers taking advantage of the perfect weather Casablanca has to offer. IN the distance you can see the El-Menara (the lighthouse), another beautiful monument of the city.
Eating in Casablanca
Casablanca is a multicultural city with many great restaurants. You can get exceptional Spanish, Japanese, French and Chinese cuisine. There are some real hidden gems, like Petit Poucet in old Casa, a great little bar/cafe where Anthony Saint-Exupéry, the French author and aviator known for writing The Little Prince, used to spend time between mail flights across the Sahara. Lots of ambience and a cozy atmosphere to enjoy with your loved ones. Rick’s cafe is modeled after the iconic Rick’s cafe in the movie Casablanca is a great place to eat, but it can be a bit expensive.
Sheraton Casablanca
One of our beautiful affiliate hotels waits for you at Casablanca. Located very close to the Hassan II Mosque, the Morocco Mall and The Corniche, the spot is perfect to be within reach of some of the city’s most popular attractions. Our diverse dining options make it the perfect place to get together with friends or colleagues and enjoy a great meal, be it a theme buffet lunch or a live show dinner.
For more information about our many destinations, places to stay and things to do, check out our blog at Royal Holiday Destinations and start planning your next vacation with us, today.