5 Top Things To Do in Casablanca

You simply can't walk through Casablanca without admiring the historic art deco wonders. You'll feel as if you've stepped back in time with each street you pass. Take a stroll down Boulevard Mohammed V, which will lead you to “Place des Nations Unies,” a bustling square filled with restaurants and shops.

From there, it's time to wander toward the Sacré-Coeur Cathedral, which is no longer a functioning church but instead a culture center. It was built by the French architect Paul Tournon in the 1930s and now houses exhibitions.

If you’re into stunning architecture and history, then you should begin at the Hassan II Mosque. This Casablanca attraction is the most obvious choice because you literally can't miss it — it stands tall, looming over the Medina along the coastline. It's the third-largest mosque in Africa. Thousands of people visit the mosque to pray every day, and it can fit 25,000 worshipers inside and an additional 80,000 in the courtyard. If you're not Muslim, you can still visit on a guided tour. The tours happen several times a day, giving you the opportunity to explore this gorgeous piece of architecture with its intricately designed facade.

It’s also worth visiting the King’s Palace, the stunning royal residence in Morocco. If you feel like taking a breather by the sea, La Corniche is a seafront neighborhood with a miles-long promenade to wander along.

If you’re only visiting Casablanca for a day, heading to the souks should be at the top of the list! As you stroll through the souks, inhaling the blend of tangy spices and fresh mint, the earthy smell of dried fruits and olives and the perfume of fresh flowers, you'll find the old Medina is Casablanca at its most authentic.

The art of haggling is practiced here, and the Maarif Market is a great place to learn a thing or two from watching the locals shop. Trying your hand at haggling can be overwhelming at first, but just be confident, kind and humorous, as Moroccans enjoy the game of bargaining — soon you'll have a rapport with the vendors.

Outside of the medina, the Soco de Moina is a large flea market where you could lose hours in sifting through secondhand goods for a unique souvenir to take home with you. And if you're looking for a more traditional souvenir, you can visit the Exposition Nationale d'Artisanat. It's not really a market, but it's a great place to find leather goods, handmade rugs, textiles, tea sets and more.

Any Casablanca travel itinerary would not be complete without a visit to Rick's Cafe. The fictional cafe from the movie "Casablanca" was recreated in 2004 by super fans of the movie. This Casablanca attraction is not quite a smoke-filled gin joint — instead, you'll find an upscale restaurant with a long seafood menu. Filled with palm trees, chandeliers and even a baby grand piano, it will make you feel as if you've stepped onto the silver screen. You may just expect Sam to start playing a tune.

The amazing thing about Casablanca is that it is truly a melting pot of culture. And that means one thing: good food. With dishes inspired by Spain and the Mediterranean, Moroccan classics like tagin and fresh seafood, you're spoiled for choice.

Couscous is a traditional North African dish, and here you'll have the best couscous you've ever tasted, made with at least seven vegetables and seasoned with Moroccan spices. If you want to take advantage of being on the coast, you'll enjoy seafood pastilla, which is made with nuts, spices, shrimp, white fish and calamari — a favorite for many at the restaurant Le Foundouk. Locals would have the pastilla paired with vermicelli noodles cooked in garlic, tomato sauce and cheese, before wrapping it in a pastry called warka and baking it to a crisp.

A lot of people immediately think of the Sahara when planning a Morocco vacation, but if your trip begins and ends in Casablanca, it may be tough to visit the desert. However, if you're planning a longer trip, adding a stop in the desert is one of the coolest things to do in Morocco. The beauty of visiting Morocco is that you can have a truly unique experience in every part of the country.

The best way to hit all of the major cities like Fez, Rabat, Chefchaouen and Marrakesh is to take an organized tour over several days. You'll journey through the Atlas Mountains and visit the small village of Merzouga on the way to the Sahara.

Getting to the ancient Sahara desert may take some planning, and you’ll want to avoid going in the summer months, but once there, you're greeted with a luxury experience, featuring campground resorts and spa offerings to wind down. There are also camel rides and sand surfing lessons for a bit of adventure. At night, the sky puts on a magical show as it lights up with stars. As you look up at the stars, you'll realize there's truly no other place on earth like Morocco.