Casablanca Sights and Landmarks Guide, Morocco

Imortalized by the Oscar Winning Hollywood movie Casablanca, the city has undergone various metamorphoses. From its modest origins as a fishing port to its more notorious days as a pirate haven, Casablanca has grown into a modern day metropolis. Teeming with activity, this sprawling city is home to three million people who are more than willing to share its marvels with visitors.

Casablanca is home to the largest mosque outside of Mecca. The Hassan II Mosque is the size of four football stadiums and is the second largest holy building in the world. The minaret is 200m high and has a laser beam that can be seen from 20 miles away. The prayer hall, designed to hold 25,000 worshippers is enormous. The mosque stretches out into the sea is a stunning sight to behold.

No visit to Casablanca would be complete without exploring the Old Medina. Located in between the Boulevard des Almohades and Place des Nations Unies, the Old Medina is best experienced on foot. This is the old part of city which was originally surrounded by stone walls. Here you can find a lively market where stalls of colorful spice and food stalls can be seen. Get ready to practice your bartering and haggling skills as local customs require that you haggle down prices before buying. Traders actually feel insulted if you do not barter or haggle. The Quartier Habous or the New Medina was built in the 1920s. Located in the southeastern portion of the city centre the New Medina is an interesting place to explore with its traditional Arabian style streets, courtyards and marketplaces. Numerous wares like carpets, copper or brass wares, curio shops and pastry shops are just some of the interesting things that can be found in the New  Medina.

The Royal Palace and its surrounding Mediterranean gardens is another popular attraction in the city. Built in 1920 it can be seen along the Boulevard Victor Hugo. With its tree lined avenues and formal flowerbeds, the Parc de la Lique Arabe is another beautifully laid out garden that you can visit in Casablanca.

The Port of Casablanca is considered to be one of the largest artificial ports in the world and is a major tourist destination in the city. You can enjoy a lovely day walking down its sunny boulevards and long piers. If you are feeling hungry, have a leisurely lunch beside the seafront. There are a variety of seafood restaurants that you can choose from.

Attractions are not limited to the inner city alone, head on to the Corniche d'Ain Diab which is the upper market district just outside the city of Casablanca. Here you can find the the El-Hank Lighthouse that was built in 1916 as well as the La Reserve, the oldest restaurant in the city. Built in the 1930s on pillars in the sand it offers a picture perfect view of the sea while you dine. This is also where you can find one of the finest libraries in Africa, the Palais Ibn Seoud as well as the Marabout Sidi Abderrahman or the Religious Tomb of Sidi Abderrahman which Muslim pilgrims believe to be a place of healing.

Take a drive to see the ruins of the Kasbah Boulaouane, an old Moroccan castle located on the banks of the Wadi Oum er- Rbia river. Originally built in 1710 by Moulay Ismail, the fortress houses the sultan’s palace. Richly decorated with mosaic tiles, the Kasbah is a monument to Moroccan traditional art. The remains of Sidi Mancar, a local saint, are also entombed there.Casablanca offers tourist a rare travel experience. Its rich heritage is reflected its art, culture and cuisines. The city presents an exciting blend of North African tradition and French refinement which can not be found anywhere else in the world.

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• Hassan II Mosque
  travel tip by davidsbeenhere posted more then 30 days ago
  This is the main sight to visit in Casablanca, it is the biggest mosque in Morocco and the 5th largest in the world. You can see the mosque from most points of the city and it is the main center point where all moroccans go to pray. You...

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