Casablanca is probably Morocco’s most famous city. As the country’s most populous urban center, its economic and business capital, North Africa’s largest port, and the setting of the 1942 Humphrey Bogart classic by the same name, it’s no wonder Casablanca rings a bell. But Casa is more than hyperbole and Hollywood. Founded in 7 BCE and settled by the Romans, the Phoenicians, the Portuguese, and the French, to name a few, Casablanca is an ancient and multi-cultural city. It is a patchwork of its various influences and historical phases, knitted tightly together by a modern French-Moroccan urban design. In short, with a Moorish-Art Deco new town and a dense transportation network, among its many monuments, Casablanca is well prepared for its large foreign following.

As opposed to many of Morocco’s imperial cities, Casablanca is known less for its medina than for its new town. Designed by French architect Henri Prost in the early 20th century, it has become a symbol of Morocco’s cultural comingling. The Hassan II Mosque, for example, which boasts the largest minaret in the world, was designed in the Moorish style by a French architect and then dedicated to the Moroccan king. Similarly, the Casablanca Cathedral, which sits at the edge of the beautiful Parc de la Ligue Arabe, exhibits the Neo-Moorish style, a blend of Gothic and Moorish traditions. But even if it is less popular, the medina, or Habous Quarter as it’s called in Casablanca, is still worth your while if only for the coastal Ain Diab Corniche promenade that takes you there. Also make sure to stop by the Mohammed V square and the Royal palace. Lastly, if the standard tour isn’t enough adventure for you, swim out to the small, rocky island of Marabout de Sidi Abderrahmane. There, you will find the tomb of the founder of Algiers. But be careful, the island can only be reached at low tide.

Casablanca has multiple international music festivals, including Jazzablanca in April, Le Boulevard in May, and, simply, Festival Casablanca in July. The city also hosts the Amazigh Theater Festival in May to celebrate Amazigh (“Berber”) cultural traditions.

Located on the Central part of the Atlantic coast, Casablanca is well positioned for day excursions. Rabat, Marrakech, Fes, and Meknes are all within a 3-hour drive, with Tangier and Essaouira being slightly farther. To make it even easier, two rail lines and one bus line run through the city connecting to every major city in the country. If any of these stops interests you and you cannot find it in one of the itineraries below, one of our representatives would be very happy to help you schedule it into your trip.