Casablanca is Morocco's economic capital. It owes its economic and cultural dynamism to its rapid development during the French Protectorate (1912-1956). Economic interdependence with France has remained after independence. In recent times, France's increasing involvement in Morocco has been observed, for example the Casablanca electricity and water supply in French hands, as well as the operation of the new tramway.

Today, the country's elites live in Casablanca and give the city a modern, European flair. It is remarkable that the Moroccan people have been open to the former protective power, not least in fashion, art and the French language. This cosmopolitan open-mindedness and tolerance is in keeping with the tradition that is widely practiced in Morocco, and a revival of religiosity that has, so far, largely resisted the temptations of militant Islamism. But the growing social gap between the ultra-rich upper class and marginalized youth, with no future perspective, is increasingly threatening that balance. A first suicide attack on a Spanish restaurant in May 2003 had an Islamist background and claimed 41 lives.

If you are exploring Casablanca, you will discover the unforgettable face of Morocco: besides beaches, discos, pedestrian areas and parking meters, there are also beggars, trash and growing slums (French: Bidonville). Nevertheless: It is wrong to say that Casablanca has nothing worth seeing, as some German holidaymakers sometimes say. The only ones mentioned are: the large mosque of Hassan II, the historic old town (Medina), the harbor, the promenade along the coast (Corniche), the residential architecture in the Bauhaus and Art Nouveau styles (Art Nouveau) and, above all, the cultural diversity of the population (Arabs, Berbers, European emigrants, Jews), which are characterized by the tourist centers of Marrakech and Essaouira are very pleasant.

Here you will find general information and tips about morocco customs and customs that are also valid in this city.

story

The settlement Anfa, founded in the 7th century on a hill by a Berber tribe, was conquered by the Almohades in the 12th century as the Moors withdrew from Andalusia. In the 16th century, the Portuguese conquered the flourishing commercial port and the dreaded pirate base and baptized it Casa Branca ("White House"). Portuguese rule lasted for almost three centuries. The devastating Lisbon earthquake in 1755 completely destroyed and abandoned the site. Under Sultan Mohammed (1757-190), the city of Sultan Mohammed (1757-190) later received little of the name of the Arab city, named Moutan Mohammed, whose Spanish translation Casa blanca became international name. The economic upswing began in the nineteenth century with the expansion of trade relations with Europe (mainly with England and France), which led to a steady increase in the influx of Europeans and their influence. The small "Casa", which in 1900 had a population of just 20000, experienced a real boom, but only under the protective power exercised by France over Morocco under the direction of Maréchal Lyautey from 1912. The most striking feature of the city is the modern city image, which has been preserved to date, with its wide boulevards and its numerous Art Nouveau buildings.

In the Old Medina

Arcade in the New Medina

View of a private beach on the Corniche

El-Hank lighthouse in Ain-Diab

Place Mohammed V

City administration with clock tower on Place Mohammed V

Visitors find it difficult to find street names because of the often Arab signs and the inconsistent use of old (colonial) and new names. As a guide, the older, European neighborhoods of the city are all located in an inner belt around the port and along the Atlantic coast, while the poorer, Arabic neighborhoods stretch across the outer belts. Here are some of Europe's neighborhoods and landmarks:

• 33.596-7.6186 1Place des Nations Unies (formerly Place de l'Horloge, then Place de France) is the central transport hub between the historic Old Medina and the New City (Center-Ville).
• Center-Ville, whether or not Nouvelle Ville: The city center, located south of the harbor, with its 1920s residential and office buildings (some in the Art Nouveau style). Main roads and squares:
  • 33.59352-7.604372 Boulevard Mohammed V with
    • 33.59472-7.6123 Marché Central ,
  • 33.5932-7.619614 Boulevard de Paris,
  • 33.59054-7.616725 Rue du Prince Moulay-Abdallah ,
  • 33.5916-7.619936 Place Mohammed V,
  • 33.5879-7.617677 Rond-point Mers-Sultan .
• 33.6006-7.62038 Ancienne Médina (Old Medina): The historic center between Place des Nations Unies and the port.
• 33.5771-7.60739 Nouvelle Médina (New Medina), whether or not: Houbous Quarter: Built in 1920 by the French in Moorish style, the new old town near the Royal Palace
• 33.6015-7.6292 10Quartier Bourgogne (Arrondistic Sidi Belyout): Located to the west of the harbor and to the south of the Great Mosque, some in the Bauhaus style, today rather simple standard.
• 33.6041-7.65311 Ain-Diab, The west-facing residential area along the Atlantic coast with the pleasure mile Corniche and the lighthouse Phare El-Hank
• 33.5848-7.636 12 El Maarif and 33.5904-7.630813 Gauthier : two old French residential neighborhoods (quarters) that have recently become the new chic center with correspondingly high real estate prices. The landmarks are the 115 m twin towers with the 33.5866-7.6323 14 Twin Center .
• 33.5917-7.6778 Hotel Anfa 15 Val d'Anfa: Nobel district south of the Corniche. In January 1943, at the Hill Hotel Anfa, President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill held the Casablanca Conference with the French Generals Giraud and de Gaulle, calling for the surrender of the Axis powers and the decision to invade Italy.
• 33.5902-7.591 Roches-Noires 16 Roches-Noires: industrial district located east of the port on the Atlantic coast. Here you will find the main station Casa Voyageurs.
• 33.608-7.539 Ain-Sébâa 17 Ain-Sébâa: Northeast district, partly industrial

By plane

33,3741-7,57881 Mohammed V International Airport ( ‏ Aéroport international Mohammed V ‎ IATA: CMN).       . The Aéroport Mohammed V international airport is located 14 miles from the city center on the motorway   to Marrakech. It is served by many European airports. In particular, Lufthansa and the state-owned airline Royal Air Maroc offer direct connections from Frankfurt/Main. last amendment: no

The Aeroport Med V station is located in the UG of Terminal 1. The airport is accessible from the stations of Mers Sultan, Casa Port, Casa Voyageurs and L’Oasis between 5:00am and 11:00pm.

by train

2018 route network

Casablanca has two train stations. From the main railway station Casa Voyageurs (in the Roches Noires district (33.5899, -7.5908 name missing 33° 35′ 24″ N 7° 35′ 27″ W ) there are regular connections to Rabat, Tanger, knès, Essaouira, Fez and Marrakech. Since the opening of the Al-Boraq high-speed rail link, a new station building has been opened.

The Gare Casa-Port (33.5986, -7.6116 name missing33° 35′ 55″ N 7° 36′ 42″ W) is more easily accessible, but does not serve all train connections. Ask before!

By bus

The bus is the most used public transport in Morocco.

The state-owned transport company CTM (Compagnie des Transports Marocains) operates most of Morocco's cities and even provides connections to Spain and France. The bus station Gare routière CTM (33.5961, -7.6109 name missing33° 35′ 46″ N 7° 36′ 39″ W ) is located in the city center and is easily accessible. All information is available on the CTM's own website.

Alternatively, there are several private bus companies that also serve almost all cities. You usually start at the second bus station Gare routière des Ouled-Ziane (33.5755, -7.5882 name missing33° 34′ 32″ N 7° 35′ 18″ W ) further from the center. As a rule, the state-owned CTM makes travel more comfortable and safer.

By car

Individual travelers can also reach Casablanca by land via Spain. A toll motorway runs in Morocco   from Tangiers directly to Casablanca. The border crossings are those of Tanger or Bab Sebta (Ceuta), both of which can be reached by fast ferries from the port of Algeciras in southern Spain. See also Mobility.

See also: Mobility in Morocco

The best way to get around the city is to take a small red petit taxi or, if you're not afraid of the chaotic road, take a private rental car. The urban bus network is cheaper but less comfortable: There is a lot of traffic in the city, but there is a lot of traffic in the city.

Since mid-December 2012, a new tramway has been operating linking the city's western outer districts to the eastern districts. As the route crosses the city center, some sections are also of interest to visitors. For example, from the city center you can easily reach the main railway station Casa Voyageurs. The single ride costs 6 DH.

In the city center, the red taxis run almost everywhere during the day. A trip inside the city usually costs less than 10 DH. If you are a foreigner who wants to pay no extra, you should either insist on the taximeter being switched on or negotiate the price before (!) starting the trip. As a rule, taxi drivers talk to each other.

The Grands Taxis are cheaper taxis, mostly foldable diesel cars of the Mercedes brand that are discarded from Europe. The journey begins when the car is full, so you have to prepare yourself to be seventeen in the car.

Art Nouveau facade in the historical center

Marché Central's Arcades with Petit Taxi

Meat Department at Marché Central

Vegetables in Marché Central

Mosaic fountain at the Marché Central

facade of the old hotel Lincoln

pedestrian street Rue du Prince Moulay-Abdallah

In the fishing port

handicraft in the Habous quarter

Hassan II

33.6079-7.6328 Mosque Hassan II.18 The Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world with its 200 m high minaret. It can accommodate up to 25,000 believers and is distinguished by its particularly valuable artisan furnishings. It was designed by the French architect Michel Pinceau, and the French construction company Bouygues carried out the works. In 1993 the building was completed. The construction costs of more than $1 billion have been partly financed by more or less voluntary contributions from the people. At night, a laser beam runs from the top of the minaret to Mecca. The 100 m long roof of the mosque can be opened at the push of a button. On the lake side, the doors to protect against the damp sea air are made of titanium.

The complex, built on cliffs and rinsed by the Atlantic Ocean, includes the prayer room and the ritual laundry area, a steam room, a Koran school, a library and a museum. It is one of the few mosques that can be visited by non-Muslims - outside of prayer times. entrance with guide: 120 DH (2012).

The Protectorate's Architectural Heritage

In the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, Casablanca was a field of experimentation for young, ambitious French architects whose work later helped shape Europe's modern urban architecture.

The numerous Art Nouveau buildings (fz. Art Deco), which has been in decline since independence (1956). Today, however, it is increasingly becoming the case that this cultural heritage is being preserved, so that some buildings have already been renovated. A good impression of this building can be obtained by walking through 33.5936-7.6061 Boulevard Mohammed V.19 Boulevard Mohammed V or 33.5943-7.6222 20 Boulevard de Paris in the city center.

33.5911-7.6245 Cathedral 21 Also the former Catholic Cathedral du Sacré-Coeur, built in 1930 by the architect Paul Tournon, shows in its modern neo-Gothic basic appearance clear Art Nouveau elements as well as some masters uric influences. The building was desecrated after independence and now serves as an exhibition space on occasion.

33.5774-7.6064 Quartier des Habous22 The Quartier des Habous (also called Nouvelle Medina) is a new urban development plan decided by Marschall Lyautey in the 1920s the old Moorish town. There are many souvenir shops in the Arctic series, leather and pottery goods, copper and wood handcrafts and traditional dresses are cheaper here than elsewhere. The best way to get there is a Petit Taxi - past the neighboring Royal Palace!

Other beautiful examples of Moorish architecture from the French period can be found on 33.591-7.6206 23Place Mohammed V. : the administrative building (Préfecture) with its 50 m high clock tower, the French consulate with the monument to the equestrian of Maréchal Lyautey, the Palais de Justice and the main post office (Poste principale).

33.5946-7.6121 Marché Central24 Also the market halls Marché Central on Boulevard Mohammed V are built in Moorish style. They are currently being renovated, but market operations are being maintained. It is worth visiting the shopping of the better-off in the morning.

The former Nobel Hotel Lincoln was long abandoned until it was completely decayed a few years ago. It is currently being restored and is expected to be in new shine soon.

The historic old town

Some of the buildings of the historic old town of Casablanca, called Ancienne Médina in French, date back to the 18th century. The most striking is the 33.603-7.61925 Sqala wall with its old guns, which forms the northern edge of the old medina and faces the current fishing port. The best way to get to the medina is to go to the south entrance on 33.59541-7.61819 Place des Nations Unies 26type, which is a group name Place des Nations Unies just behind the Hyatt Regency hotel. This entrance leads first to a lively place where traders advertise their goods (much from China) on the ground. Continue on to a labyrinth of winding streets, which houses a fish market, a vegetable market, several mosques, craftsmen's workshops and countless shops where you can buy almost everything. To get a first impression of the area, you just have to be driven through the front streets (leather goods, gold and silver jewelry). If you venture too deep into the muddle of the streets, you run the risk of not finding out. If you want to go further, do so in the light and avoid lonely streets! With a good sense of direction, it is possible to find the sqala at the other end.

The eastern edge of the medina is the palm-lined 33.5982-7.6153 Boulevard Houphouët Boigny 27type, which is a group name Boulevard Houphouët Boigny with the Place des Nations Unies the port. Its west side is covered with beautiful Moorish-style arcades, which have been home to souvenir shops since they were built in the 1920s. You will be welcomed by the passengers, who come from the passenger or cruise ships, on their way to the city.

The Corniche

At weekends, a walk or a ride over the 33.6048-7.6448 Corniche 28type is called "Corniche" for many young casablancaisers of the middle and upper class. Casablanca's nightlife is also here. However, you can also be impressed during the day by the sight of the enormous surf of the ocean.

The "Corniche" is a section of the lakeside road, about 1 km long, in the district of Αϊ n-Diab. On one side you can see the rocky coast of the Atlantic where private beaches/outdoor pools (Piscines) and cafés with panoramic views of the ocean have become established. On the other hand, there are chic clubs and discotheques, most of which open in the evening. Already in the late afternoon, a non-stop car cart starts to slide through the multi-lane mile on weekends, looking for a female eye catcher or even a parking lot.

beaches

The bathing season runs from June to September. There are beaches both south and north of the city. Some of them are in private and cost entry. The most beautiful public beaches are to be found in the south and can be reached via the coastal road to El Jadida. In the north (about 30 km) there are beautiful beaches in Mohammedia, called plague des Sablettes and Plage Monica. Those who are looking for safety will visit one of the private pools at the Corniche.

golf

• 33.5881-7.65661 Royal Golf d'Anfa (Royal Golf Club Anfa), Lice d'Anfa, Casablanca 20050. Tel: +212(0) 522 36 10 26. The 18-hole golf course is the largest and most exclusive in the region. last amendment: no indication.

museums

The choice of museums is very limited. However, these two are recommended according to their interests:

• 33,5556748-7,642355729 Marocain (‏ Marocée ه ( Musée ف), 81 Rue Chasseur JGros, Oasis, Casablanca, ‎ ), 81 Rue Chasseur Jasseur JGros, Oasis, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 99 49 40.       . Founded in 1997, the museum documents the 2000-year-old Jewish culture in Morocco. The expulsion of Jews from Andalusia in the 15th century led to a massive Jewish immigration in Morocco. In retrospect, the largest Jewish community in the Arab world lived in Morocco before Israel was founded. Moroccan Jews have traditionally been protected by the sultan and played an important role in Moroccan society. Several waves of emigration to Israel have reduced the Jewish population from 300,000 (1948) to about 5,000 (today). Opened: Open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. Price: Entry price 20 DH, guided 30 DH. last amendment: no.

• 33.586171-7.629302 30 La Villa des arts (Haus der Künste), 30, Boulevard Brahim Roudani, Casablanca (address also 30, Boulevard Ibrahim Roudani, Casablanca). Tel: +212 (0) 522 29 50 87 - 94, Fax: +212 (0) 522 27 86 07. The Art Nouveau villa dating back to the 1930s in the Gautier Quarter features works by contemporary (predominantly Moroccan) artists. Opened: Daily open from 09:30 to 19:00 except on Mondays and Fridays. Price: currently free entry. last amendment: no indication.

food

• Marché Central. A beautiful market hall in Moorish style on Boulevard Mohammed V. Vegetables, fish, meat, spices, bird and flower market in one. last amendment: no

• Marjane. Two large shopping centers of European dimension of the chain of the same name in Αϊ n-Sébâa and Αϊ n-Chock. last amendment: no

handicraft

• Arches of the New Medina (Habous)
• Arcade at Boulevard Houphouet Boigny, near the port
• Shops around the Place des Nations Uniies

fashion boutiques

• pedestrian areas in the city center (between Bld Mohammed V and Bld de Paris) and the Golden Triangle (Triangle d'Or) in the Gautier district.
• The Morocco Mall (around 2012), with many boutiques, restaurants, imax cinema and even an aquarium, has just been built outside the Corniche.

alcohol

The sale of alcohol to Muslims is prohibited in Morocco. The largest selection of beers, wines and spirits is available in the shopping centers of the Marjane chain.

restaurant Al-Mounia

In Rick's Café

Restaurant du Port de pêche

favorable

Small restaurants and snack bars are located all over the city. The locals are rarely paying more than 20 DH for a sandwich with French fries. There are many modern restaurants and cafés in the city center and near the Twin Towers, including numerous pizzerias.

American fast food chains are very popular, partly as drive-ins. The first McDonald's to be opened in Casablanca is on the Corniche. European visitors may be surprised by the high number of luxury barrels of German brands that make up the hotel.

means

• La Sqala, Boulevard des Almohades, Sqala, Casablanca. Tel: +212 (0) 522 26 09 60. last amendment: no indication. tea house and restaurant. Traditional Moroccan cuisine. Small dishes too.

The atmospheric restaurant is located on the northern edge of the Old Medina, opposite the fishing harbor, in a small courtyard shaded by orange trees and bougainvillea and in the shade of the old Wehrmacht wall with its cannons.

• La Corrida, 59 rue Gay-Lussac, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 27 81 55. last amendment: no indication. Spanish and French cuisine. drink

The house was opened in 1951 by the couple Castella, founder of the old bullring of Casablanca. Stylish furnishings, some with props of the old arena. It is also covered outside.

The original owner, who occasionally serves as a chef for King Hassan II. , died in the 1971 Skhirat assassination attempt. Black white photos on the patio bear witness to this tragic event. Today, the restaurant of Malika Labiad, a family friend, continues in its old style.

• Restaurant du Port de pêche (restaurant at the fishing port) last change: no indication. fish specialties and seafood, freshly caught. drink

The fish restaurant, located on the upper floor of a fish hall on the grounds of the fishing port (Port de pêche), is very busy. The hotel's special atmosphere is its clientele: business people, Moroccan and Jewish families, expats from Europe and overseas, backpackers. The vocabulary is international: Arabic, French, Spanish. There is no reservation at rush hour (1:00pm-3:00pm, 8:00pm-10:00pm), but the staircase is kept in order.

After dinner, you can go through the fishing harbor, where you can see the cutters being unloaded.

• Tavern du Dauphin, 115, boulevard Houphouet Boigny, Casablanca. Tel: +212 (0) 522 22 15 51. last amendment: no indication. French cuisine, fish specialties. drink

Located between the old medina and the harbor, this restaurant has existed for more than 50 years. A good selection of fresh fish, similar to the restaurant du Port de pêche. Sometimes it is very busy.

• Glacier Oliveri, 132, avenue Hassan II, Casablanca. Tel: +212 (0) 522 27 60 75. last amendment: no indication. The best ice cream parlor in the city, and this for more than 50 years!

• Pastry series Paul, Bld. Abdelkrim Khattab, corner of image. Moulay Rachid, Casablanca. Tel: +212 (0) 522 36 60 00. last amendment: no indication. franchise companies belonging to the French chain of the same name. café and tea room. Good French and Moroccan pastries. lunch table. The Art Nouveau ambiance.

walking

• Restaurant Al Mounia, 95, rue du Prince Moulay-Abdallah, Casablanca. Tel: +212 (0) 522 22 26 69. last amendment: no indication. Very good Moroccan cuisine: couscous, tagines. drink

Located in the extension of the pedestrian zone, the restaurant is housed in an old Moorish-style villa. The front garden, where the food is served, is overlooked by an imposing pepper tree. Neither the owners nor the map have changed in recent decades. In order to secure an outdoor space on weekends, pre-order!

• La Bodega, 129, rue Allal Ben Abdellah, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 54 18 42. last amendment: no indication. restaurant and bar. Spanish cuisine in a bodega atmosphere: tapas, burritos, paellas. Mojitos.

The Bodega is located just behind the Marché Central and is one of the most chic places in the city center. Spread over several levels, subdued lighting, a giant screen for football broadcasts or Spanish documentaries. Occasionally, live musicians or flamenco groups are welcome.

• Brasserie Bavaroise, 131, rue Allal Ben Abdellah, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 31 17 60. last amendment: no indication. Next to the bodega, the owner offers refined French cuisine. Smoked audience.

• A Ma Behgne, Boulevard de la Corniche, Sidi Abderrahmane, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 36 21 12. last amendment: no indication. French gourmet cuisine, fish specialties. Very nice location on the Atlantic.

Located 200 meters from the lighthouse El-Hank, in sight of the Great Mosque, this hotel offers an ideal setting for a sophisticated French cuisine. The French chef, André Halbert, has been awarded Maître Cuisinier de France.

• Rick's Café, 248, Boulevard Sour Jdid, Ancienne Medina, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 27 42 07. last amendment: no indication of restaurant and piano bar. French cuisine. cocktails.

After the 9/11 attacks, Kathy Kriger, according to his own account, quoted her service in the US Embassy in order to stay in Morocco and live up to the true American values. In 2004 she opened a bar in Casablanca called Rick's Café, in memory of the café of the same name in the famous American film "Casablanca" with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergmann. It is located in an old, renovated building on the edge of the old medina. The atmosphere is quite convincing, even if the pianist is not tired of playing "As Time Goes By" over and over again.

If you don't want to eat expensive (and moderately) meals, you can also listen to the piano at the bar for a cocktail in the late afternoon - or watch the movie for the umpteenth time.. However, there is a limited number of seats at the bar or in the lounge.

There are several small bars or pubs in the city center. They are mainly frequented by local men and usually don't offer much besides alcohol. Some are, as expected, the place of purchase for prostitutes, although prostitution is strictly prohibited in Morocco. Not the ideal setting for women!

If you just want to drink a glass of wine at an hour's notice, the easiest way to do so is to go to one of the bars in the large international hotels.

Casablanca also has chic bars, where male and female guests are equally represented. Almost all of them are located on Boulevard de la Corniche. One example is the live disco Le Petit Rocher, which is very busy at weekends, 200m from the El-Hank lighthouse, on the small street facing the sea. The music changes: rock, salsa, reggae, R&B, pop.

favorable

• 33.5939-7.6125 1 Hotel Galia, 19, rue Ibn Batouta, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 48 16 94. last amendment: no indication Simple, clean rooms in the immediate vicinity of Marché Central. DZ at 250 DH.

means

• 33.5922-7.61352 Hotel Maâmoura, 59 rue Ibn Batouta, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 45 29 67. last amendment: no indication Around the 50 beautiful, spacious rooms in an old Art Nouveau house, partly with balcony. Close to the Marché Central. DZ by 500 DH.
• 33.58197-7.623273 BH Business Hotel, Rue Mohammed al Fidouzi, Casablanca. Tel: +212 5224 74709. last amendment: no indication A simple hotel, a few minutes walk from the former Kath church to St. cross.

luxury

• 33.5961-7.6188 4 Hotel Hyatt Regency, Place des Nations Unies, Casablanca. Tel: +212(0) 522 43 12 34. last amendment: no indication of 5-star hotel in a central location with restaurants and shops.

Casablanca is no less safe than many other major cities. However, we should be careful and follow the precautions that are well known:

• Carry your passport, money cards and cash safely on your body. Wrap your handbags wherever possible.
• Avoid the lively neighborhoods
• Don't walk at night, especially in inanimate areas. It's better to take a taxi.
• Women traveling alone who wear more discreet clothing will be less harassed.

Apart from generally harmless gastrointestinal diseases caused by ingestion of unusual food, there are no special health risks in Casablanca.

• SAMU. Tel: +212 (0) 522 25 25 25. last amendment: no medical emergency number (in French: SAMU) available 24 hours a day
• SOS Médecins. Tel: +212 (0) 522 20 20 20. last amendment: no indication of medical emergency service, open 24 hours a day.

With a little French you can communicate anywhere and get more information.

• Poste principale, Avenue Hassan II, corner Boulevard de Paris, Casablanca. last amendment: No indication of the main post office, open Mon-Fri 8-16h, Sa 9-13h