Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco. Located on the Atlantic coast of the Chaouia plain in the central-western part of Morocco, the city has a population of about 4.27 million, making it the most populous city in Morocco.
The city's French colonial legacy is seen in its downtown Mauresque architecture, a blend of Moorish style and European art deco. Standing partly over the water, the enormous Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993, has a 210m minaret topped with lasers directed toward Mecca.
Top attractions of the city
Hassan II Mosque
It took 6,000 traditional Moroccan artisans six years to build this magnificent mosque, which was commissioned by King Hassan II and completed in 1993. Its towering minaret is the city's most recognizable landmark, while the interior is a masterpiece of intricate mosaics, sculpted plaster moldings and carved and painted wooden ceilings.
The Old Medina
Casablanca's medina represents the oldest surviving part of the city, and dates back to the rebuilding carried out by Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah. Although it isn't as old or as atmospheric as the medieval medinas of other Moroccan cities, it is still a great place to explore on foot. Wander down labyrinthine streets and into tiny storefronts selling spices, clothing and handmade crafts.
Quartier Habous
Nowhere is Casablanca's uniqueness better showcased than in the Quartier Habous, the postcard-perfect "new medina" built by the French in the 1930s. Intended to represent the marriage of Moroccan tradition with modern French culture, the quarter features shady Moorish arches and arcades, clean stone streets and a sophisticated souk full of excellent souvenir shops.
Casablanca Travel Guide