Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Casablanca, or “Casa” as it is known locally, is Morocco’s largest city, and the economic powerhouse that employs close to half the country. A hub for business travel, the city is often ignored by leisure tourists who bypass it and head to more exotic and traditional cities such as Marrakech and Fez.
Casablanca can be a hard city to love, but should not be dismissed outright. If you take the time to seek out the chic shopping quarters, historical monuments, bustling medina and Art Deco architecture, you may just be surprised how the city grows on you. Happily, accommodation in Casablanca is top notch and includes a wide range of hotels, including business-friendly spots downtown and luxury towers overlooking the city.
The city has two of the country’s most famous sights. The Hassan II Mosque, situated right on the Atlantic shore, is the second-largest monument in the Islamic world, after Mecca. You can take a guided tour, look through the glass floor, and see the sea below. The other famous monument is the Phare d’el Hank lighthouse, which offers a grand sweeping view of the blue ocean.
Although not near as charming as other medinas, Casablanca’s is still worth a visit and is marked by its looming clock tower. Inside, you’ll find all manner of bargains including copperware, lanterns, carpets and woodwork (such as chess sets and ornate boxes). The city also has the largest mall in Africa, the Morocco Mall, which is the place to pick up the latest in designer goods and fashions. Art lovers enjoy the Villas des Arts, which features regular exhibitions that highlight Morocco’s thriving contemporary art scene. There are numerous art galleries throughout the city as well.
The city’s location also makes it a good base from which to explore other cities in Morocco such as Fez, Marrakech, Meknes and Essaouira, which are easy to get to on the country’s network of trains, buses and shared taxis.
SAFETY: Violent crime is rare in Casablanca, though pickpocketing is quite common. Female travelers should cover their shoulders and legs in public, but it is fine to wear revealing clothes inside bars and nightclubs. The souk in Casa isn’t as tourist-friendly as those in Fez, so beware of your surroundings and people trying to approach you.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
The largest mosque in Africa, the Hassan II Mosque juts out over the Atlantic Ocean on the northwest side of Casablanca, Morocco. The sea bed is visible through the glass …