Casablanca One-Day Private Tour
This One-Day Private Tour of Casablanca's Architecture, Culture & Historical Sites. Offered as a Day Tour or Port Excursion in the Region of Casablanca
Duration: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Starting & Finishing Point: Casablanca Port or Casablanca Hotel in City Center
Morocco Private Tour Inclusions: Transport in Luxury Vehicle, Multilingual Speaking Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic and French, Admission Fees to the Hassan II Mosque & Casablanca Monuments and Attractions
Casablanca is one of the most famous cities for culture and architecture visited by first time travelers to Morocco.
Book a Tour or call (800) 787-8806. Let us be your Casablanca Private Morocco Travel Guide
Casablanca or more affectionately known as
Casa has a population of six million and is the
largest city and
port inMorocco. It's also the biggest
city in the Maghreb and the sixth biggest city in the entire continent of Africa.
Casablanca, the most famous name in Morocco Travel, is considered the
economic capital of Morocco because it is the heart of Moroccan business. It is also the primary naval base for the Royal Moroccan Navy. Casablanca is the headquarters and main industrial facilities for leading Moroccan and international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show Casablanca retains its historic position as the main industrial zone of the country.
The area which is today
Casablanca was settled by
Berbersby at least the
7th century. A small independent kingdom, in the area then named Afna, arose in the area around that time in response to
Arab Muslim rule, and continued until it was conquered by the Almoravids in 1068. Casablanca has undergone many influences, Roman, Phonecian, Arabs, and Berbers along with European and American. Originally modeled after
Marseilles when the
French landed Casa in 1907,
Casa is the most
European of Morocco’s cities (with exception of Marrakech) and is known as a huge metropolis where modernity and tradition co-exist. As a tourist you can enjoy Casa’s bustling new town or its old medina and also meet immigrants from the countryside. At
night you can
dance at beach clubs and
rub shoulders with the
elite and also dine in some of the most liveliest and tasteful seafood restaurants on
Casa’s port, the
Corniche.
Casablanca today is modern, liberal, lively and colorful. The city began to expand as soon as the dawn of the twentieth century. Casablanca has become an attractive city where people from varied backgrounds inter mix surrounded by a wide range of architectural styles. Casablanca is home to some of Morocco's historic Art Deco, Art Noveau, Mauresque and Avant- guarde architecture. Casablanca is a keen reflection of an urban culture that is thriving in Morocco.
Live it up in Casa! Then take an
excursion to
Rabat or
Tangier, both easily accessible from this capital of the Greater Casablanca region.
CASABLANCA ONE-DAY PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY:
Heritage, Architecture & Culture
Casablanca Private Tour - One Day Tour or Port Excursion
Visit the Mosque of Hassan II.
Casablanca is home to the
Hassan II Mosque, designed by the
French architect Michel Pinseau. It is situated on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic, which can be seen through a gigantic glass floor with room for
25,000 worshippers. A further 80,000 can be accommodated in the mosque's courtyard. Its minaret is the world's tallest at 210 meters. Work on the mosque was started in 1980, and was intended to be completed for the 60th birthday of the former
Moroccan King Hassan II, in 1989. However, the building was not inaugurated until 1993. Authorities spent an estimated $800 million in the construction of the building. It is an enormous architectural masterpiece and the second largest religious building in the world. Tour its famous minaret, dome, royal doors made of marble.
The
Mosque of Hassan II's promontory offers lovely views overlooking Casa in the residential Afna quarter. After touring the Mosque, head over to the New Town of Casablanca also designed by the
French architect Henri Prost for an hour of shopping. The main streets of the New Town (
Ville Nouvelle in French) radiate south and east from
Place des Nations Unies, where the main market of Anfa had been. The New Town you past in your morning journey is possibly the most impressive in
Morocco.
The Region of the Hassan II Mosque, Hispano-Mauresque Architecture:
Former administrative buildings and modern hotels populate the area. Their style is a combination of Hispaneo-Mauresque and
Art Deco styles. Next visit the Habous Market, a traditional Moroccan souk to explore first hand and connect with local Casawei’s. End the day with a visit to Casablanca’s cooperatives. Shop and Explore local crafts and wood work traditions, leather and carpets.
Habous Market & Quarter
Casablanca’s Habous Quarter is often referred to as the new medina. This area was built in the 1930’s by the French. It has a keen mix of both French and Moroccan architecture. Travelers will enjoy the Habous market that is tucked away in this charming Quarter of the city. Taste Casablanca’s most exceptional pastries at visit the Olive Market and the other host of boutiques. There is an old fashioned carpet souk and a host of Moroccan handicrafts available here.
Explore Casablanca’s Coastal Corniche
A neighborhood on the Atlantic Ocean, just West of the Hassan II Mosque. Dip your feet in the Atlantic on Moroccan soil and kick back a cafe to people watch while sipping Moroccan mint tea with spectacular views.
Discover Art Deco Casablanca.
Make sure you have a camera in hand to take pictures of the famous clock tower, Art Deco hotels, the eleven story Moretti apartment block and the high rise Art Deco buildings covered with loggias, columns, zellij tiles and geometric carvings on Boulevard Mohammed V with Art Deco facades. (If time allows)
Lunch Recommendations: Enjoy lunch at one of the international restaurants by Casa's port, the Corniche, the renowned seafood haunt, El Mer or Rick's Cafe- a famous Piano Bar run by an American and named after the Movie “Casablanca.” Another perfect Lunch Option for those who like people watching is Marché Central which is jam packed with small Moroccan eateries where you are served up large platters of fish, grilled vegetables, breads, salad and seafood soup.
Around Casablanca: Parc de La Ligue Arabe
Explore Parc de La Ligue Arabe, a huge garden with avenues lined with tall palm trees, ficus , arcades, pergolas and flower beds. Formally called LyauteyParc de La Ligue Arabe is the city's largest publi. On its edge is situated the Cathedrale due Sacre Couer, which is disused, but is a splendid example of Mauresque architecture. Moving north, take the road towards the old medina and pass Place Mohammed V and the Place des Nations Uniones, the main focal points of Ville Novelle, Casa's new town. See French architecture complemented with Moorish design in Place Mohammed V, the protectorate square. Pass by the prefecture, law courts, central post office and cultural centers.
Make sure you have a camera in hand to take pictures of the famous clock tower, Art Deco hotels, the eleven story Moretti apartment block and the high rise Art Deco buildings covered with loggias, columns, zellij tiles and geometric carvings on Boulevard Mohammed V. Visit the famous residential blocks: the Glaoui, the Bessonneau and the Asayag.