Exploring Casablanca by Car: A Road Trip Through 12 Iconic Places
Casablanca is a city steeped in splendor and glamour. Luckily, you’re on track to be in the midst of it all! But where should a tourist start? With a plethora of attractions, knowing which ones to visit and which to skip can be overwhelming. It all depends on your personal preferences. Whatever your interests, Casablanca is sure to have something fascinating for you.
First things first, ensure to arrange a rental car through a Car Rental Agency in Casablanca to explore these tourist sites hassle-free. It’s the best way to navigate the city’s narrow, maze-like streets. For a smoother journey, consider the Rental Options and equip yourself with a GPS to avoid losing time. Whether for work or pleasure, time is precious and better invested elsewhere! But enough about that, let’s review the top tourist sites to visit in Casablanca:
Yasmina Play Park
A recreational paradise, Yasmina Play Park stands as one of Casablanca’s most historic attractions. Easily accessible by your rental car, this amusement park caters to children aged 2 to 14, offering playgrounds and daycare facilities. It’s not just for kids – the park also features sports and leisure spaces, water features, jogging trails, a skatepark, green areas, and commercial spaces. Additionally, it serves as a hub for cultural and artistic events.
Hassan II Mosque
More than a religious and cultural complex, the Hassan II Mosque, perched on the Atlantic Ocean, symbolizes Casablanca universally. With its vast grounds and a minaret reaching 200 to 210 meters in height, adorned with marble fountains and a laser beam indicating the direction of Mecca, it’s among the world’s largest mosques. The complex includes prayer halls, ablution areas, baths, a Quranic school, a library, an arts academy, and an underground parking for 1,000 vehicles.
Morocco Mall
Ranked in the global top 5, Morocco Mall sprawls across 190,000 square meters, housing leisure spaces, restaurants, and stores. Awarded the MIPIM Award for its architectural brilliance, it boasts Adventureland, the world’s third-largest aquarium, the fourth-largest musical fountain, and a skating rink. Its Galeries Lafayette’s architecture even clinched a Guinness World Record™ for the largest storefront in a mall.
Mohamed V Square
At the heart of Casablanca, Mohamed V Square, easily reachable by your rental car, symbolizes the city’s embrace of Western modernism in the 1920s. This square hosts various diverse and surprising monuments blending Arabo-Andalusian and Art Deco styles. Renovated to harmonize with the grand theater project, it features a central musical fountain, underground parking, and a mineral square.
Casablanca Corniche
Also known as “Ain Diab,” the Casablanca Corniche, famed for its glamorous beach clubs along the Atlantic Ocean, attracts weekenders seeking fresh air. Spanning approximately two kilometers, it’s perfect for a scenic stroll by the ocean, bustling with beachgoers and surf enthusiasts during the day and transitioning to trendy nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and ocean-view terraces in the evening.
Old Medina of Casablanca
Ravaged by an 1755 earthquake and rebuilt in 1770, the Old Medina offers a glimpse into Casablanca’s daily life. A true maze, it’s best explored on foot after parking your rental car in private lots. Begin your journey at Place des Nations Unies, visit the Grand Mosque, Kouba Sidi Bou Smara, and end at the sanctuary of Sidi el Kairouani.
Habous Quarter
Rich in history and traditions, the Habous Quarter, constructed in 1918 for merchant families, embodies a successful blend of traditional Moroccan style and modern urban planning. Its narrow streets, lined with shops and bazaars, preserve Morocco’s architectural heritage.
Royal Palace of Casablanca
A masterpiece of Islamic architecture, nestled within the Habous Quarter, the Royal Palace boasts stunning Mediterranean gardens and intricate water features. It’s a must-see historical landmark of the city, with nearby parking for your rental car’s safety.
Villa des Arts
Formerly known as “Les Jasmines,” this Art Deco-style building hosts diverse cultural events, exhibitions, literary meetings, and conferences, serving as Casablanca’s first private museum. Check the ONA Foundation’s site for its varied and abundant programming.
Maarif Quarter
Established in 1914, Maarif saw its golden era in the 1920s, becoming a coveted area for foreigners. Today, it houses numerous shops and international franchises, attracting shopping enthusiasts. With increased traffic, drive cautiously, respecting speed limits and safety distances.
Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes Church
Built in 1954, this Catholic parish church, reflecting Casablanca’s spirit of coexistence, continues to welcome visitors for free. Beyond its religious significance, it echoes Casablanca’s Catholic past.
Sacré-Cœur Church of Casablanca
Constructed in 1930 during the French protectorate, this neo-Gothic and Art Deco-influenced cathedral-turned-cultural center offers stunning views of Casablanca and the Atlantic Ocean from its towers.
Ready to explore Casablanca in comfort and style? Find the perfect luxury car for your adventure and delve into a journey through the city’s most cherished destinations. Our rental agency offers an array of high-end cars, allowing you to explore every nook of Casablanca with elegance and comfort. Opt for an unforgettable experience by renting a luxury car to elevate your exploration of the city’s iconic tourist sites.
