Casablanca

Not strictly an Imperial City but we've included it here as it is an important gateway to Morocco for other cities.

Casablanca is now a thriving business centre with a large and relatively wealthy population living and working in high rise developments. There is still an old medina though and the new  Hassan II Mosque  is an incredible building, comparable to Mecca in size, and at night the minaret's laser beam lights the way to the home of Islam. A perfect overnight stop on arrival as most international flights come in here or as a last night to sample the romance (thesedays, I'm afraid it's very much an atmosphere only) of a fictional bygone era.

The architectural tradition of the city endures to this day with the hectic Mâarif district exemplifying modern Casablanca. This previously impoverished area, just west of the Arab League Park, has gradually been transformed and is now one of the most prominent neighbourhoods in town. The young Moroccan jet set patronise its luxury shops and its trendy establishments in the shadow of the Twin Centre twin towers. You must also visit Anfa, Casablanca's upmarket area. Boulevard Mohammed V, situated in the city centre, has kept its arcades under which shops and restaurants abound for almost 2km.

Hotels featured:
Hyatt Regency Hotel	Novotel	Moroccan House	Riad Salam Hotel
The Hyatt Regency is ideally situated in the centre of Casablanca, just a few steps from the Old Medina. The hotel has views of the Great Hassan II Mosque and the Atlantic Ocean.	The NOVOTEL is located in the centre of Casablanca just a short walk from the Port railway station. The hotel offers an unrivalled view of the Hassan II Mosque and the port.	The Moroccan House provides visitors with Riad-style rooms [a traditional Moroccan house] and is within walking distance to many attractions. Enjoy the comfort of a luxury hotel at a low price.	The Riad Salam Hotel is situated on the "Corniche" (beachfront) just 10 minutes from the city centre and close to the famous Mosque of Hassan II. The hotel stretches along the coastline and beach.

History of Casablanca: The Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah decided, in the middle of the 18th century, to rebuild ancient Anfa (the hill), a small Berber 7th century town, from its ruins. The ancient medina, still partially enclosed by ramparts, became the first district of Casablanca. You will find an atmosphere of traditions and a thousand small crafts and trades in the maze of alleys and workshops. The other facet of the town appeared during the first half of the 20th century. Casablanca became the showcase of Art Deco architecture. The outlying districts are connected to and organized around the Place de France and the Place Administrative, now respectively United Nations Place and Mohammed V Place. The Habous area, situated 3km away from the city centre, is unique in Morocco: a new medina entirely designed according to the traditional model. Initially, it was intended for the rural population coming to work in Casablanca. It shows tradition's capacity to adapt perfectly to the constraints of the modern world.

The old medina: the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah reinforced the medina's ramparts in 1770. The Sqala symbolizes his reign. You will have a fine view of the medina and the port from this stronghold, now converted into a restaurant. The port was built at the turn of the 20th century and is protected by a 3180m long artificial pier. The El Hank lighthouse, built in 1920 to facilitate access to the port, symbolizes the city's economic success. A very busy market is held in Place de la Comédie, to the west of the medina, where you will also find a pleasant public garden where the koubba (shrine) of Sidi Bou Smara is situated. Before you leave the medina by the impressive Bab El Mersa, the navy gate, visit the Sidi Kairouani sanctuary which is near Tnaker Street.

The new medina: this new medina was built according to the traditional model and is in the south of the city in the Habous neighbourhood. You will have a pleasant time admiring its little squares, arcades and numerous craft shops. The mahkama (courthouse) of the Pasha is to be seen here too. This Hispano-Moorish style building, built entirely of marble and wood, has 60 rooms and was used as a courtroom and as a reception room by the ancient Pasha of Casablanca.

Art Deco architecture: The Art Deco area is situated to the east of the medina where you can visit several locations which give the city its unique architectural character: Mohammed V Place, Arab League Park, the wide palm tree lined boulevards…We must mention, for example, the Villa des Arts, an Art Deco style house built in the thirties which is surrounded by a 2500m² garden and the Wilaya, the administrative headquarters built between 1927 and 1936 by Marius Boyer. The panelling in rare woods, the multi-coloured zelliges (ceramic mosaic) and the leather adornments have particularly benefited from the recent restoration. It is built around a central triple patio embellished with a tropical garden. Two monumental paintings by Jacques Majorelle hang in the main staircase. You can have a unique view of all Casablanca from the top of its 50m high tower.

The Hassan II mosque: Visible from afar - whether by land sea or air, - the great Hassan II mosque was inaugurated on the 30th of August 1993. The prayer hall can fit in a congregation of 25000 and its esplanade 80000. The prayer hall can become a patio in 3 minutes thanks to its retractable roof. Its 200m high minaret makes it the highest religious building in the world. This architectural gem is open to non-Muslims outside prayer time.

Sightseeing nearby: In the evening, you can take the Aïn-Diab coast road between the El Hank lighthouse and Sidi Bou Abderrahmane mausoleum, a small village only accessible at low tide; archaeological diggings have shown that it has been inhabited since prehistoric times. This coast is Casablanca's seaside resort. It has swimming pools, public and private beaches. Coming here to admire the sun setting and to refresh oneself on a terrace is a classic outing. Every weekend, the inhabitants of Casablanca love to meet each other here. Later in the evening the discotheques keep things lively in this city which never sleeps.

Activities: Casablanca can boast that it possesses the only greyhound track in Africa. Irish bred greyhounds race there regularly. The best time to watch them is in the evening (evening racing on Mondays and Thursdays). The city extends along the sea where you can discover a succession of beaches and swimming pools, frequently using seawater, along the coast. It is very popular with the inhabitants of Casablanca on weekends who go there to stroll and watch the sun go down from the terraces of its numerous cafés. Continuing northwards up the coast, you come to Mohammedia, an up-and-coming seaside resort which has a marina, a golf course and luxury hotels. About 20km further on, you arrive in Bouznika. Its superb beaches have made this seaside complex one of the most reputable on the Atlantic coast. In particular, the Dar Bouazza beaches have become the new "El Dorado" of the Casablanca suburbs for beach clubs. Thalassotherapy and Balneotherapy centres have been available in hotels and other establishments of Casablanca for a long time, as hammams have been too. Let yourself be pampered by the refined care based on ancestral recipes given there.

Holiday Prices

- please call or email for a full quote - all our holidays are tailor-made.