United Nations Square is an iconic spot in Casablanca. Built at the entrance to the Medina during the time when Morocco was a French Protectorate, it is now one of the city’s nerve centres. We’re going to explore what we can expect to find there and in the surrounding area.
Until the arrival of the French, most of Casablanca lay within the walls of the old Medina. The period of the Protectorate brought to life ideas for the expansion of the city, and led to the planning of new spaces.
Nowadays, United Nations Square marks the point where the Medina ends and the twentieth-century enlargement of the city begins, halfway between other famous spots such as Mohammed V Square and the Arab League Park.
Mezquita Casablanca
The history of United Nations Square
The space currently occupied by United Nations Square was formerly the site of the Grand Souk (Souq Kbir), a huge area at the entrance to Casablanca’s Medina. The arrival of the French in the early twentieth century saw a renewed expansion of the city, and spaces such as this were changed forever.
So, in 1918, a very typical symbol of French cities was built in the area around the clock tower. The space would be named Square of the Clock (later changed to Square of France), and was to be the beginning of the city’s urban development, led by the architect Henri Prost. Examples of new buildings added to the square were the Excelsior Hotel and the Paris-Maroc department store, the new city’s first building.
Old and new Casablanca merged at the clock tower, which disappeared in 1948 (to be replaced with a replica in 1993).
Over time, the square would undergo various changes, including the addition of the VOX cinema in the 1930s, a bus station, a subway, the 1970s cupola and then (in the twenty-first century), the arrival of the trams.
What you can do in the area
Today, the square is a bustling place, both by day and by night. A major transport hub, a route across the city, and a crossroads from which radiate some of the city’s most important boulevards. This is also quite an exclusive area, with luxury shops and top hotels.
Leaving the square, visitors can wander around the adjacent streets, such as the Hassan II Boulevard and the Mohammed V Boulevard, Rue Tata and Avenue Houmane El Fetoua, where you will find an abundance of fashion shops, shops selling cosmetics, and the like.
Walking on for a few minutes will bring you to other iconic spots. To the north, across Avenue des FAR, is the Medina. To the south, in the new city, are Mohammed V Square and the Arab League Park.
Local restaurants
The entrance to the new part of the city marks a change in the gastronomy compared with other parts of Casablanca, such as the Medina. Around United Nations Square, you will find interesting, and more luxurious, cafés and restaurants with a more of a European feel.
One of these is Milk & Honey, a smart restaurant where you can enjoy everything from international cuisine to a wide selection of desserts and snacks.
Another option is Dar Beida, another elegant restaurant offering both Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant’s outstanding feature is its extensive menu of tagines, and other Moroccan specialities such as cous-cous and grilled dishes.
All good things come in threes, and another recommendation in the area is Café M, a pleasant French brasserie with a wide choice of wines and an attractive outdoor terrace.
Avenue Mohammed V and its environs
Avenue or Boulevard Mohammed V is one of the main arteries of Casablanca’s new city. It is a 2.5 kilometre-long avenue connecting United Nations Square with the main railway station Casa-Voyageurs, located in the east of the city.
Boulevard Mohammed V is one of the city’s smartest streets, with some of its most beautiful buildings, combining Art Deco with Islamic art. It was opened in 1915 to link the railway station with the city, and further developed during the 1920s and 30s. Here you will find Casablanca’s Central Market, which it is well worth a visit while you are in the area.
Where to stay in Casablanca
If you know that you want to visit Casablanca and look around United Nations Square, begin to plan your trip by deciding which hotel to stay in. In addition, Casablanca can serve as a base from which to explore this area of Morocco, and for going on excursions to nearby cities.
In the centre of Casablanca, you will find two Barceló hotels which can meet your needs. They are both in the same avenue, Boulevard Anfa, in the heart of the new city, with iconic sights such as the Medina and United Nations Square just a stone’s throw away.
The first is the Barceló Casablanca, a modern, four-star hotel offering every comfort you will require for an enjoyable stay in this Moroccan city. This is the perfect mid-budget option for those seeking quality and comfort.
A few minutes away is the Barceló Anfa Casablanca, a lovely, five-star hotel with Art Déco touches, to make your stay in the ‘White City’ extra special This establishment offers numerous facilities for guests, ranging from an outdoor swimming pool to a spa, gymnasium and restaurants.
