Despite being made famous by Humphrey Bogart in the movie of the same name, Casablanca (or 'The White House') is relatively untouched by the tourist trade. This is a small Moroccan city where English-speakers are few (locals speak French, Arabic and a little Spanish) and life is more or less the same way it has been for hundreds of years, give or take a few pieces of modern industry.
King Hassam II Mosque
The biggest attraction in Casablanca is the King Hassan II mosque. This is the largest mosque in Morocco and the third largest mosque in the world and has the distinction of possessing the tallest minaret in the world. This mosque is famous for its exquisite interiors and an open terrace. The tile work inside the mosque is intricate and incredibly detailed. Conveniently, it is also one of the few mosques in Morocco that is open to non-Muslims.
Old Medina
The old Medina is a slice of Casablanca's past that was left untouched by the French. A walled enclosure with extremely narrow myriad lanes, the Old Medina is a good place to buy traditional handicrafts, leather goods and Hookahs which are favored by the tourists (although exercise good haggling skills when buying ‘genuine’ goods that are exorbitantly priced). It is also a good area to sip the strong, sweet teas whose smells characterize this city. Spiced and flavorful, mint, apple and cinnamon are commonly used teas, and there is a good chance you will be addicted to the stuff by the time you leave. Served in small glasses and poured from tall silver pots, Moroccan tea is an indelible part of daily life and hospitality.
Sidi Abderrehman Shrine
The Sidi Abderrehman Shrine is built slightly off the coast, although you can access it on foot as long as the tide is low. Catch the tide at the right time and wander over to this beautiful piece of religious architecture, or – if the tide is high – take one of the small boats whose owners make their living ferrying tourists to and from this tranquil and quite lovely piece of religious architecture. The shrine itself cannot be entered by non-Muslims though, so unless you are of the Islamic faith you will need to be content with seeing only the exterior (very pretty in itself).
Nightlife
Casablanca is home to a large number of resorts and nightclubs, particularly around the Corniche, which wraps around the bay. Being a Muslim country, alcohol is not routinely served in cafes and bars, so if you enjoy a tipple you will need to stick to the resort areas that cater to Western guests.
Hotels
There are a few European-styled hotels in Casablanca including the more pricey Hyatt and Sheraton (around €120 per night). Budget hotels can be found around the Old Medina area (from around €40 per night) but this area is not known for its safety, particularly at night-time and women traveling alone are advised to be especially careful.
Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Casablanca, Morocco.
(Photo:iStockPhoto/ArdenSt)
