Casablanca is a city gathered in the atmosphere in a unique way from Morocco and Europe. Modern and at the same time very traditional, relaxed, but bubbly … it’s all housed in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. Even if you are short here, here which are the most interesting places to pay attention.
Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque is one of the first things you need to see in Casablanca. For many people it is the symbol of the city. This is the highest mosque in Morocco and the second largest in the world after Saudi Arabia. But top positions in the charts do not end there, because the mosque’s minaret is a leader in the world, it is 200 meters high goals. This is one of the most modern mosques – is equipped with underfloor heating. The building can accommodate about 25 000 people. The building can be seen from almost every corner of the city and is certainly one of the things to remember even years after his go here visit to Casablanca. Unlike other temples here you can enter even if not profess Islam. Every day we organize group trips for tourists, of which you can use.
Rick’s Café – If you, like me, when you hear Casablanca, first think about one of his favorite movies, it should remember about Rick’s Café. Cafeteria, identical to that in the film, was built in the old city of Casablanca.
Medina – The old city of Casablanca can offer you much. Small narrow streets, typical small houses painted in different colors, men smoking hookahs and authentic shops are hidden in the old town Medina. This is the place where you can dive into the life of local, to try things they eat and drink, shop in the same stores … to see how they live!
Cornish beach is where Casablanca meets the Atlantic Ocean. The location is ideal for swimming, collecting tan and beach walks. There are many luxury hotels, cafes, restaurants and boiling nightlife.
Sacré Coeur – The cathedral was built in 1930. It is an architectural masterpiece, combining Moroccan and European style. White magnificent building was used as a school, and is now a cultural center.
Square “Mohammed V” – This is the main square in Casablanca. There are important institutions, Courthouse, French consulate buildings and a number of banks. This evening is a favorite walk for locals and visitors alike.
Central Market – Central Market is not just the place where you can buy exotic spices, traditional Moroccan slippers, premium tea or scarves with all sorts of colors, here you can meet, talk and markets with local people. So the object that you will take home with you will always remind you of the wonderful time spent in Casablanca.
From the heat in Marrakech, which even in April can reach 40 degrees, it is better to hide in the cool of the botanical garden, created by the French artist Jacques Majorelle. His studio in Art Deco is now converted into a museum of Berber culture and is located in the heart of the park. Later it was bought by French designer Yves Saint Laurent. He liked the place so much that he wanted to be buried there.
Luxury travelers to Morocco are spoilt for choice, with many a resplendent riad near the medina and lavish hotels out in the Palmeraie in Marrakech. Whilst most luxury hotels have traditionally been concentrated in the Palmeraie, there are stunning hotels around the country now- from Ouarzazate to the Sahara and the latest being Fez with a Relais y Chateaux installation.
Winston Churchill
British politician and prime minister often stayed in five stars “Mamunya” and loved to paint in his gardens. He is loved place for Britain’s Prince Charles and front man of “Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger.
In Barbary city is one of the oldest mosques in the Arab world – “Koutoubia”. It was built in the XII century and served as a model of Muslim shrines in Seville and Rabat. It is worth to see the Museum of Marrakech. Although it sounds boring officious, this is actually a breathtakingly beautiful palace of the XIX century. Next door is the mosque “Ben Yusuf”, to which there is an ancient religious school. The architecture is overwhelming combination of fine carving on stone and cedar. It taught 800 students and you can see the cells in which they lived.
If you want to feel the atmosphere of the Moroccan coastal resorts of Fez can easily jump off to Essaouira or El Jadida. They are located on the Atlantic and were once important commercial centers of the Portuguese. El Jadida today seems a bit disappointing – a huge abandoned houses and crumbling old town. Essaouira, however, continues to attract many tourists, especially surfers.
Whatever route to choose in Morocco, do a thorough pre-study will not disappoint. You should know that in small towns barely speak English. It is better to learn a few French or Spanish words to not stay hungry and thirsty. If you are sure that you learn a little Arabic, it expanses of hospitality in the kingdom for you will be endless. Not necessarily looking for luxury hotels.
