24 Hours in Casablanca

Casablanca, known as the white city in Morocco, is also the country’s largest city with a population of over 3.5 million. It is a major business center full of restaurants and venues but it is also rich in history and has traditional and modern architecture. If you’re wondering whether or not to visit Casablanca, I would say yes but you honestly would not need more than a day or two. To make the most of this commercial city, I recommend spending 24 hours here and you can see all of the highlights that Casablanca has to offer below.

WHERE TO STAY:

 

FOUR SEASONS CASABLANCA: If you’re going to stay in Casablanca, you might as well have a luxurious experience at the Four Seasons. The well respected brand and name itself has a known reputation that does not need further explanation. You will be greeted with the highest quality of service with attentive staff that are ready to cater to your every need. The location is perfect as it is right by the beach and walking distance to the mall. You can expect to wake up to a peaceful morning, the sound of the waves and a sunset if the sky allows.

There are two dining options at the Four Seasons Casablanca, which are Mint and Bleu. Both restaurants offer indoor and outdoor seating and if you’re here during the warmer months, you can enjoy a delicious meal at the terrace, which overlooks the courtyard and beach. However, if it’s a bit chillier, there is also a lovely fire pit and heating lamps that will keep you warm.

I would recommend spending some time at the beautiful hotel and take advantage of the pool, the courtyard and the beach even if it’s for an hour in the morning before you start your full day at Casablanca. There is also a spa and gym for those who are looking for wellness. The breakfast at Bleu is one of the best Moroccan breakfasts I’ve tried so I highly recommend dining there. I discovered Amlou here, which is essentially a Moroccan spread containing honey, almond and argan oil. I put this on top of my Morrocan pancakes and it was divine! I became so obsessed with it that I brought it back home. It is also great to know that there are many health benefits to this 100% natural, organic and preservative-free product. Amlou  provides antioxidants, vitamin E and C and also aids in digestion, redues the risk of diabetes, strengthens immune system, and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. If you love peanut butter, almond butter or nutella, then I am sure you’ll be a fan of this so make sure you try this especially at Mint’s Four Season.

Now that you’ve dedicated a morning to feeling refreshed and full, it’s time to start exploring!

WHAT TO DO/SEE:

• HASSAN II MOSQUE: It goes without saying that the Hassan II Mosque is the main and most popular landmark in Casablanca and probably one of the top reasons to visit here. Hassan II Mosque is the largest mosque in Africa and the third largest in the world. It took 6,000 traditional Moroccan artisans six years to build this mosque and was completed in 1993. The beautiful green and beige colors evoke a sense of serenity and you will be mesmerized by the ambiance and decor. Definitely block out a good chunk of your time for photos because there are tons of great angles, back drops and creative opportunities especially since the mosque is huge.
  You can also tour the inside of the mosque if you’d like but there is also an option to take a peak inside without actually paying the admission. After you have taken some time to photograph the beautiful mosque, I would suggest to actually take in the atmosphere. There’s something quite blissful about being in a mosque and you shouldn’t rush this attraction. Instead embrace it and be fully present because it’s a magical place that deserve your undivided attention.
• THE CORNICHE: The Corniche is an oceanfront boardwalk lined with restaurants, nightclubs, theaters and hotels and is actually walking distance from Four Seasons Casablanca. It’s a great way to start the morning by taking a stroll or a jog here. I would also recommend timing your visit during sunset as the view should be spectacular since it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.

• OLD MEDINA: Casablanca’s medina represents the oldest surviving part of the city. The bazaar and markets here maintain Casablanca’s history. Depending on whether you will visit Marrakech before or after Casablanca, I would still recommend taking a look at the tiny storefronts selling spices, clothing and handmade crafts. I personally visited Casablanca before Marrakech so I didn’t know what to expect but obviously the shopping scene is at a smaller scale compared to Marrakech. Feel free to browse the shops and practice your bargaining skills!

WHERE TO EAT:

• PATISSERIE BENNIS HABOUS: After shopping at the markets, I would recommend taking a break to enjoy some Moroccan pastries at Patisserie Bennis Habous. You can find a wide range of fresh baked goods here but my personal favorite would be cornes de gazelle, which are crescent shaped biscuits that are stuffed with almonds and cinnamon. You can find this all over Morocco and I love tasing them from different places. There are also shortbread cookies, baklava, almond briouats, m’hanncha, ghoriba, fekkas and chebakya. The best part is that you can sample these treats before you buy so have at it! There aren’t any drinks offered here, but you can buy the pastries and then find a local coffee shop around the market to enjoy a tea or coffee with the treats.
  

• RICK’S CAFE: It goes without saying that Rick’s Cafe is a must visit if you’re in Casablanca. Featured in the popular film Casablanca, this cafe has become iconic and definitely a tourist spot. Make sure you make reservations ahead of time especially if you’re visiting on the weekends as this place gets filled up rather quickly. The food is delicious but what makes this restaurant special is the live music and the interior. It can be very romantic, but also great if you’re just grabbing a meal with friends and/or family.
• ANFA: To end the night, I would recommend going to Anfa, a Lebanese restaurant. It’s not too far from Rick’s Cafe and this place also offers live music but in a more livelier setting. Anfa has an intimate concert vibe and although I didn’t eat here, the food looked delicious. (You can actually have an early meal at Rick’s during the start of the evening and head to Anfa later at night around 10 pm as that’s the time when the performances start).

After your full day of activities, you can return back to the Four Seasons Casablanca for a nice sleep before departing in the morning. Casablanca is a lovely city and even though you don’t need more than 24 hours here, it is still a place I would recommend to visit in Morocco.