Where is Casablanca?
Not only people ask where is Morocco they also ask where is Casablanca in the world. Especially those who have seen the famous romantic movie with the same name as this economical Moroccan city.
Casablanca is located in Morocco. More precisely in central-western Morocco on the Atlantic coast, about 80 km south of Rabat, the administrative capital, which is located in the Africa continent. This city is considered to be the economical capital of the country and the biggest city of Morocco due mostly to its population of about 3,36 million… -More
What does Casablanca Means?
The Arabic name of Casablanca is “الدار البيضاء”, “ad-Dar al-Baïdaa”. It is the translation of the Portuguese name “Casa branca” and “Casa blanca” in Spanish, which literally means “the white house”.
The original Berber name of the city is “Anfa” and means “the hill”. The inhabitants of the city are called “Bidawi” or “Casawi” in Arabic, the “Ayt Anfa” in Berber, “Casablancais” in French and “Casablancan” in English even though it is rarely used and therefore known.
Why go to Casablanca? Why is it so famous and popular?
Consider sometimes too modern and often neglected by tourists for its lack of touristic places to see compared to other Moroccan cities, Casablanca still deserves a little trip.
Known as the white city, Casablanca is famous for its vibrant nightlife, its cultural and artistic dynamism, its large malls and especially its sublime and majestic Hassan II Mosque, one of the tallest in the world.
The Moroccan city also stands out for the diversity of its architecture, which ranges from its “two old medinas” to the large art deco buildings of the protectorate period, as well as its modern skyscrapers.
Casablanca is also a large city where not everything is “fantastic”, but it is a magnificent city that sums up all Morocco in its various contrasts. If the economic capital of the Kingdom of Morocco does not have the same “appeal” and “magic” of Marrakech, it is also less provincial. It should be mentioned that Casablanca is Morocco’s busiest, most polluted and overpopulated city. However, its old center with its art deco architecture, its cornice, and its seawater swimming pools fascinate, without forgetting the fact that the quality of life there, is quite appreciable: affordable real estate, good doctors and dentists (often trained in France), foreign schools, the possibility of getting help at home (a nanny, a cook…) at a low cost, etc.
This big Moroccan economical city is well-known worldwide thanks to the famous romantic movie that has the same name. Even though, it may be hard to believe, the “Casablanca movie” wasn’t even filmed in Morocco and Casablanca did not look like the movie in 1942. However, even if the city of Casablanca had nothing to do with the movie, it is now a very well developed city. It is simply good to know what the Real Casablanca is like, and therefore, visit it.
Casablanca is famous for its soccer team?
Yes, Casablanca is famous for its two soccer teams called Wydad and Raja. The rivalry between those two soccer teams and fan base is insane. You should also know that the Casablanca derby is even considered one of the most important in the world, and is even in the top 30 worldwide! The Casablanca derby brings together the two main soccer clubs in Casablanca: Wydad and Raja. -More
Casablanca: The movie
Casablanca is an American film directed by Micheal Curtiz, released in 1942. It is one of the most acclaimed films in Hollywood that made this Moroccan city known all over the world. The movie Casablanca was written in 1938 by Murray Burnett and Joan Alison. The original play was called “Everybody Comes to Rick’s” when Wallis, the producer of Warner Bros found it. Shot for just under a million dollars, it brought in four times as much when it was exported to theaters in the United States. It is well known from its title, a timeless story of love, loss, and redemption, set against the backdrop of the struggle against the Nazis. It is also known for its song, still famous today, called “as time goes by” which was sung by Dooley Wilson (who played the role of Sam in the movie).
The film’s success has not diminished over the years. Casablanca is regularly cited in various polls as one of the best feature films of all time. It is definitely a cult work of art that marked the 1940s in the United States. Performed mainly by Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains, it takes place during the Second World War in the city of Casablanca in Morocco, then controlled by the Vichy government. The major subject of the film is Rick Blaine’s conflict between love and virtue: he must choose between his feelings for Ilsa Lund and his need to do what is right to help her husband, the hero of the Resistance, Victor Laszlo, who must flee Casablanca to continue his fight against the Nazis. This movie has won many awards. Yet, the actors had strong doubts about its quality because of its chaotic… -More
What to do and must-see in this Moroccan city?
Casablanca is frequently famous for its mosque but it doesn’t have many touristic places when you compare it to some other Moroccan cities. However, they are some things you can do, see and visit in Casablanca:
- Hassan II Mosque
- Rick’s Café
- The Arab League Park
- Square of Mohammed V
- The old Medina
What food and street food is like?
Casablanca does not have a specialty known to her as much as the Tanjia which is the specialty of Marrakech. However, you can enjoy Moroccan food (which is the second-best cuisine in the world) everywhere in Morocco including, therefore Casablanca. This means that you will be able to discover and savor the tasty tajines, couscous, the indispensable Moroccan tea with some delicious Moroccan pastries.
In terms of food and street food, you will absolutely be delighted in Morocco, wherever you go, including therefore Casablanca.
If you want to know where to eat in Casablanca, you should know that there are many places where you can eat delicious Moroccan food. The best advice is always to look at the restaurants and snacks that have more people. That’s how you know if it serves great food. -More
How much do things actually cost?
The budget to be allocated in Casablanca for visit, transport, and food is not high it is on the contrary very affordable. According to a ranking, Morocco is considered to be one of the cheapest countries to live in.
On average, because of the cost of living in Casablanca being low, the budget per day and per person can be 48 euros, therefore, $53,53 US dollars. Be aware that you can get out of it for even less… -More
What information do you need to know before visiting Casablanca?
Do you need a Visa?
Casablanca or Morocco has a visa-exempt for certain places such as:
- Malta
- Mexico
- China
- South Korea
- Singapore
- Ireland
- Japan
How many days do you need?
It depends on what you are planning to do, but it’s reasonable to say that you may need only 1 to 2 days. -More
Which currency is used?
The official currency of Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (DH). The abbreviation is MAD (Moroccan dirham). -More
Which language is spoken?
There are several languages spoken in Morocco including three variants of the Arabic language used in Marrakech and in Morocco in general: Moroccan Darija Arabic, Standard Arabic, and Classical Arabic. Even though the official language in Morocco is Arabic -more precisely Moroccan Darija Arabic- the heritage of the past makes French a widely spoken language in the country. English is starting to be used since many persons in Marrakech had to learn this language to be able to develop their business with tourists. -More
useful phrases
Although you don’t need to know Arabic to be able to make yourself understood, it is always nice for the Moroccan population to see that you are making an effort.
- Hello: Salam
- Please: Aafak
- Thank you: Choukrane
- Yes: Ahe
– More
Which plug for Casablanca?
If you going on a trip to Morocco more precisely in Casablanca, it is important to check if you will need an electrical adapter or a travel power strip.
Here is the electricity used in the Moroccan city of Casablanca:
Voltage: 127, 220 volts
frequency: 50 Hz
-More
What are the public holidays in Casablanca?
In Casablanca and other Muslim cities and countries such as Fez, Marrakech, Istanbul or even Dubai, it is impossible to determine most public holidays, since some of the dates are subject to the lunar calendar. -More
Do you have to bargain?
Everyone negotiates in Morocco, which therefore includes Casablanca. As a tourist, you might want to learn how to negotiate in Morocco so that you won’t have any bad surprises when it comes…-More
Where to stay?
Casablanca is divided into several neighborhoods and all of them are different. Therefore, there are many different types of accommodation such as Casablanca’s city center, the old medina, Anfa, Maarif, Gauthier, Ain Diab, Habous and so on.
So, before choosing where to stay, you should think carefully about the comfort you want and the well-being that this accommodation in Casablanca will provide you with. Above all, choose a neighborhood not far from the sites you wish to visit first. -More
Which airport is in Casablanca?
There is one international airport in Casablanca called Mohammed V International Airport. It is the main airport in Morocco and the fourth most important in Africa after those of Johannesburg, Cairo, and Cape Town. It is named in honor of Mohammed V, King of Morocco from 1957 until his death in 1961. -More
Casablanca versus other Moroccan cities
Which is better Casablanca or Marrakech?
The answer may vary depending on your preferences and, therefore, what you want in general. From a tourist point of view, the answer is clear: it’s Marrakech. Marrakech is a very touristic city not only in Morocco but all over the world. Casablanca, on the other hand, is more a place to work or study… -More
Which is better Casablanca or Agadir?
If you want to relax under the sun and really experience peace and quiet vacation to a sunny destination, Agadir is for you. Known to be the “Miami of Morocco”, Agadir can be a real attractive and lovely destination. However, some persons prefer Casablanca to been able to have access to everything. It all depends, therefore, in the end, on the person’s taste and desire. -More
Which is better Casablanca or Rabat?
Casablanca is known to be a really dynamic city compared to Rabat which is more calm, clean and modern. It depends therefore on the person’s taste and whatever he or she prefers, though both of these cities are considered to be a place to study and work. -More
Which is better Casablanca or Fes?
If it’s only for the touristic interest, it is recommended to better visit Fes which has more things to see compared to Casablanca in terms of ”touristic attraction”. Though if you intend to visit Morocco for the first time, you can at least plan one day to spend in Casablanca to see the must-see places such as the Hassan II Mosque or even Rick’s Café. -More
Which is better Casablanca or Essaouira?
Each Moroccan city has its own vibe sometimes very different from the other which is the case of Essaouira and Casablanca. It all lies on the person’s taste and purpose of the visit when it comes to choosing between these two cities. If it is simply touristic, you may prefer Essaouira compared to Casablanca. -More
Which is better Casablanca or Tangier?
In some ways, these two cities have some similarities in terms of appearance, architecture and the color chosen for most of the walls, which are white. However, everyone would be surprised to notice the differentials in both accents and sometimes behavior. And since Morocco was colonized by the Spanish and is close to Spain, several Moroccan cities in the north also speak Spanish in addition to Arabic, which is the case in Tangier compared to Casablanca where French is more spoken after the Moroccan dialect. So if you’re Spanish, you might want to consider visiting Tangier. -More
Which is better Casablanca or Chefchaouen?
Here again, if you having trouble choosing between these two cities, you should ask yourself what you want and, therefore, the purpose of your visit. If it is simply touristic, you should definitely head to the beautiful Moroccan blue city, which is considered no only to be an Instagram city but also one of the most beautiful cities in the world! – More
When is the best time to visit Casablanca?
The city of Casablanca benefits of a pleasant weather conditions all year round. To enjoy your trip, the best time to visit Casablanca may be in April, May, and October. Though, if you are a fan of the heat, the temperature is around 30 degrees in the summer months. However, you should be aware that the temperatures vary over the years… -More
Things you should know about Casablanca
Casablanca is not like the movie
Who hasn’t heard about the movie Casablanca, its timeless story of love, loss, and redemption, set against the backdrop of the struggle against the Nazis and its romantic song called “as time goes by”?
This successful film really helped Morocco’s biggest city to become well known all over the world by its name. However, what most people don’t know is the REAL Casablanca and the fact that the 1940’s movie wasn’t even filmed in Morocco… -More
What to wear in Casablanca? Is there a dress code for Casablanca?
When it comes to a dressing code in Casablanca, you are free and so you dress as you wish. Do as you feel, Moroccans are used to tourists but you’ll be more comfortable if you don’t strip. You just need to remember that you are in a Muslim country and that women are modest and only reveal their beauty for their husbands. However, you might need to have more information on what to wear in Morocco, because sometimes… -More
Can you kiss in Casablanca and in Morocco in general?
No, you can’t kiss in Casablanca in public it is very frowned upon. Morocco is a Muslim country where kissing in public is not considered appropriate and with respect for others, should be avoided. If you are a tourist couple… -More
What are the do’s and don’ts when traveling in Casablanca?
As said before, Moroccans are very used to tourists but sometimes it is always better to know some things about the country you want to visit so as to avoid unpleasant surprises such as… -More
What is Casablanca like during Ramadan?
Going to Casablanca or another Moroccan city during Ramadan can be considered a good plan and a bad plan depending on what you want. A rather special period that sometimes makes travelers hesitate to go to Muslim countries, like Morocco. -More
Are there good beaches in Casablanca?
Morocco has a lot of beautiful beaches sometimes not even well known to tourists which is the case of Casablanca, a city that not only boasts one of the tallest minarets in the world but also beautiful beaches to the delight of tourists. -More
Is Casablanca a great place to visit? Is it okay for everyone?
Is Casablanca okay for a holiday and for tourists in general?
Yes, it is okay. Casablanca is a great opportunity to discover a side of Morocco. It is definitely a place to visit if one wishes for a change of scenery. However, you should simply know that they are not many touristic sites like other Moroccan cities. -More
Is Casablanca okay for female travelers?
No one will touch you, so you don’t have to worry about that matter but you have a good chance of being followed by some eyes and being flirted with. But there are tricks to solve that. First, do not answer and therefore ignore. Even if you feel like you are not polite… -More
Is Casablanca okay for families? Babies? Toddlers?
Casablanca and Morocco, in general, has everything to please, even the most demanding families with babies or toddlers… -More
Is Casablanca okay for students?
Yes, Casablanca as other Moroccan cities like Rabat, is a good place for students… -More
Is Casablanca okay for expats?
Yes, Casablanca can be considered a good place for expats… -More
Is Casablanca okay for vegetarians?
Yes, since it is possible in Casablanca, as in Morocco in general, to find Moroccan vegetarian meals that are absolutely succulent. -More
Is Casablanca okay for gay travelers?
It is not really recommended for gay travelers to visit Casablanca nor any Moroccan city if a man or a couple cannot resist to keep their feeling aside or is willing to dress like a girl, etc. If on the contrary, they can, then there is not really a problem to visit Casablanca. -More
Is Casablanca safe? Is it safe to travel there?
Is Casablanca dangerous?
It is true that Casablanca is considered to be ” the dangerous Moroccan city”. This title might scare lots of foreigners, however, it got its reputation mostly due to its number of people and its comparison to the other Moroccan cities. But any foreigner wanting to visit Morocco, including Casablanca should know and reassure themselves that Morocco, in general, is considered to be safer than France and even the United States!
Why Casablanca is overrated?
Because of its lack of touristic places and its rumors that it might be a dangerous city which is maybe the case in Morocco, but definitely not in the world as you can see for yourself here… -More
Are taxis in Casablanca safe?
Taxis in Casablanca are safe, just be aware of some scammers who would not want to use their meter and be aware that we advise you to ask before getting in a cap where you want to go and if the taxi driver would want to take you there. Because to your surprise, some taxi drivers in Casablanca may say where “they” want to go instead of asking “you” where to go and take you there afterword. You should also know that there are two kinds of taxis: the small one that can take a maximum of 3 passengers (for short distances) and the big one (that, unlike small taxis, can go outside the cities) -More
Are roads safe in Casablanca?
It is said that if you are capable to drive in Casablanca you can drive anywhere else on earth and that can be explained by the fact that Casablanca is the most populated city in Morocco. That’s why its roads are filled with cars.
The whole problem lies in the number of cars, buses, and people… It is, therefore, necessary to be patient and to redouble your attention. On the other hand, outside the city, driving is easy.
Though it must be said, for every foreigner, who never visited the country, that cars in the city are not very useful since you can find many types of means of conveyance in Morocco and, therefore, in many Moroccan cities. -More
Can I use and drink water in Casablanca?
It is preferable to not drink tap water in Morocco but to buy bottles of water instead. However, when it comes to washing your hand, face or teeth tape in Casablanca is not a problem at all. You should also know that the water differs from district to district… -More
Can you live in Casablanca?
Whether it is for business or for a good time, Casablanca is the city to settle if you are going to Morocco. It’s the Financial Times that explains why:
- The high place of African finance
- Low cost of living and tax exemptions
- An important architectural heritage
- The gastronomy
- Surfing paradise
-More
Can you study in Casablanca?
Yes, you can study in Casablanca. By enrolling in a local faculty or school, you will expand your social circle and get to know a new culture and different Moroccan dialects. It is a dream come true for many foreign students… -More
Can you get hired as a foreigner in Casablanca?
Yes, you can get hired as a foreigner in Casablanca. You simply need to sign an employment contract first and then, depending on where you live, apply for a work visa. -More
In conclusion
Casablanca and Morocco, in general, keeps attracting many foreign people, not only tourists but also students, young working people or even retired people with its warm hospitality and friendly people, its food and the list goes on and on. Casablanca known, thanks to the famous movie, keeps growing in popularity not really as a touristic city but mostly as a city more likely favored to study, work and most importantly live. Hopefully, this article helped answer all your questions about Casablanca in 2023.
