Looking for travel inspiration? This Casablanca city guide will have you yearning for Morocco.
Built predominantly during the twentieth century, this quaint Moroccan city is peppered with art deco and art nouveau architectural gems, that include glamorous cinemas from the 1950s and reimagined luxury hotels. Newer additions to the city's hospitality and art scene expand its touristic offering whilst chic boutiques and sweeping street art celebrate local creativity. Here is how you can spend a luxurious, culture-fuelled weekend in Casablanca.
Where to Stay in Casablanca
We start our Casablanca city guide right with a hotel housed in a recently converted 1950s building. The Royal Mansour Casablanca revives original modernist architecture from the period with refined velvet furnishings and quirky brass details decorated stylish rooms ensconced in marble and wooden. Thoughtful features heighten the experience, including a sleek monochrome barbershop and attendants dressed in charming outfits from the 1950s. Its restaurants promise a world tour: From the Parisian-inspired La Brasserie and an intimate Sushi Bar, to the traditional La Grand Table Marocaine which will bring you back home to Casablanca. As one would expect, the service is impeccable, with gastronomic treks and urban art deco architecture tours on offer. Be sure to visit their traditional hammam too, which revives centuries-old wellness ritual in an opulent marble bathhouse.
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As with all Four Season properties, their outpost in Casablanca whispers quiet luxury; the suites are minimalist and chic, featuring soft grey furnishings, accented marble bathrooms and spacious balconies. One thing that sets this Casablanca hotel apart from the rest, is the location. Perched along the corniche, rooms at the Four Seasons benefit from sea views and the hotel even has an outdoor pool with a brand new poolside restaurant. Traditional Moroccan cuisine can be enjoyed at the Mint salon. Serving fresh sea bass ceviche topped with zesty lemon juice and fried fish laid on a bed of fennel, The Kyub is where everyone wants to be.
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What to see in Casablanca?
Kicking off the Casablanca City Guide for art lovers is Villa des Arts Casablanca. Located in a 1934 art deco residency, it hosts contemporary exhibitions and events. Their current exhibition, Le Corps Poétique, is from Imane Feriani and is a remarkable display focussing on the female figure.
Known for being a financial and urban centre, Casablanca’s historical old town is often overlooked. In reality, the city’s Medina has a lot to offer, including an authenticity that may be lacking in some of the more touristic medina’s in Marrakesh and Tangier. Visitors can expect a laid-back atmosphere, with craftsmen offering traditional spices, linen, and leather goods.
Casablanca’s street art scene is one of the best in the country, partly owing to the fact that the NGO Alouane Bladi runs an extensive – and state-supported – programme in the city. For those who want to see these murals for themselves, the NGO runs regular street art tours of the city available by both bus and bike. If you prefer to explore by yourself, simply take a walk along the Corniche or visit Nevada Skatepark.
Best restaurants in Casablanca
A concept restaurant focussed on flowers, Atelier Nude’s interiors are tailored for the design lover. Plush potted plants line the shelves, with bunches of seasonal tulips, lavender and wisteria interspersed among the more permanent residents. The tables themselves are littered with delicate displays and the food is equally as intricate; dishes include verdant salads, zesty soups and freshly grilled vegetables topped with the occasional edible flower.
Located on the twenty-third floor of the Royal Mansour Casablanca, Le Grande Table Marocaine is an upmarket restaurant offering traditional Moroccan cuisine. The menu includes local specialities, such as M’quila de Petites Pêches des Côtes de Casablanca, the traditional dish of Casawi fishermen. Other classics on offer include delicate chicken and almond-filled pastilla and a slow-cooked lamb tagine topped with tangy preserved lemons. Owing to its location, the restaurant also offers impressive vistas of Casablanca and a bird's eye view of the cerulean-tiled Hassan II Mosque.
A humble concept cafe, Belati offers brunch and coffee at reasonable prices. The menu is simple yet delicious – think smoked salmon toast and pastrami-filled bagels. Interiors keep in line with this minimalist vibe too, including muted terracotta walls and the occasional floral-covered armchair.
Where to Shop
A quaint concept store, Maison H specialises in all things local; traditional Moroccan patterned vases, locally made beauty products, and vanilla-scented candles are all available to buy. They also stock clothing from Mimosa, a Moroccan brand specialising in handmade, embroidered linen dresses.
An upmarket contemporary art gallery, Eden features a range of pieces available for people to buy. The focus is on showcasing Moroccan and regional artists, with recent collaborations involving Mohamed Jaamati, Hassan Echair and Aziz Benja. Be sure to follow their Instagram @edenart.gallery too, as the organisation often hosts exhibitions throughout the country.
