Casablanca might initially seem to be a city that looks inwards, towards the narrow streets of the medina, the beautiful buildings that line its squares and avenues, its parks, shops and restaurants. You might even think that its enormous trading port (the largest in North Africa) is what determines the relationship between the city and sea. However, the kilometres-long seafront promenade known as La Corniche shows a different side to Casablanca: a city with sea views that is open and full of life.
La Corniche in Casablanca is spread out in different sections that start to the north of the old medina, and it runs along for several kilometres next to the Atlantic sea front, past emblematic sights including Hassan II Mosque, historic El Hank lighthouse, Anfaplace shopping centre, Megarama cinema, Lalla Meryem and Ain Diab beaches, and the wonderful pedestrian zone – popular among sports fans and families – that reaches modern Morocco Mall.
- Why you should visit La Corniche in Casablanca
- Views of Hassan II Mosque
- Restaurants in the area: something for everyone
- Morocco Mall shopping centre: shopping on La Corniche
- Where to stay in Casablanca
Why you should visit La Corniche in Casablanca
Lively by day and by night, La Corniche is an essential place to visit for all newcomers to Casablanca. This huge seafront promenade not only has spectacular views along its entire length, it’s also the perfect place to enjoy leisure and entertainment activities, discover the city’s best food, admire the wonderful nature in the area and take a good look at some of the Casablanca’s most interesting attractions.
La Corniche has all the ingredients you need for a great time: kilometres of cafés, restaurants of every kind, sports facilities, cinemas and shopping centres, historic monuments, beautiful beaches…and breath-taking sunsets.
Views of Hassan II Mosque
Definitely one of the most important landmarks on the Casablanca coastline, enormous Hassan II Mosque sits at the far north of La Corniche. Built between 1986 and 1993 on the orders of the Moroccan monarch who gave it its name, it’s a masterpiece of Arab-Muslim architecture and one of the five largest mosques in the world.
Key aspects that make this vast building an essential place to visit include its iconic minaret that is over 200 m high, the huge prayer hall that can hold 25,000 worshippers and the remarkable decorative work on the façades and interior by highly skilled Moroccan craftsmen. It’s also the only mosque in Morocco that permits non-Muslims to enter (although they must always join one of the guided tours run by the temple).
Restaurants in the area: something for everyone
You’ll find different types of restaurants serving the best Moroccan and international food along the whole length of El Corniche, plus little cafés and fast-food joints by famous global brands. Any stroll through this part of Casablanca should include a bite to eat at places such as Le Cabestan, which is close to El Hank lighthouse and has offered an extensive and delicious menu with spectacular views since 1926. Other options include Basmane, a restaurant in Aïn Diab that has spectacular traditional decoration and serves authentic Moroccan food, and À Ma Bretagne, twice winner of the “best French restaurant in Africa” and located just moments from Morocco Mall, among many others.
The various beach clubs and shopping centres in the area, such as Anfaplace Mall and Morocco Mall, are also a good option if you’d like to stop for a drink or bite to eat and treat yourself to a well-deserved present at the same time.
Morocco Mall shopping centre: shopping on La Corniche
Morocco Mall is at the far southern end of La Corniche, between Aïn Dib and Madame Choual Beach; it’s the biggest and most exclusive mall in Morocco and Africa. It has over 350 stores, including everything from the biggest international fashion brands to the latest in tech and the mall has become a huge draw for both local residents and visitors to the city. A small souk inside the mall offers you the chance to buy goods by around 50 carefully selected artisan craftspeople.
Every kind of cuisine, an aquarium, 3D IMAX cinema, indoor theme park, and ice-skating rink are just some of the many attractions you can enjoy in this bustling spot in Casablanca. And if that weren’t enough, its huge outdoor fountain (which covers 6,000 m2, making it the third largest of its kind in the world after the fountains at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai) thrills visitors with a spectacular water, light and sound show.
Where to stay in Casablanca
There’s nothing like ending a great day enjoying the countless charms of El Corniche by returning to your first-class accommodation at either of the two hotels by run by Grupo Barceló in Casablanca: the hotel Barceló Casablanca and the hotel Barceló Anfa Casablanca .
Fully equipped rooms, a delicious range of food, an outstanding location in the heart of the city and the perfect balance between tradition and modernity make these 4- and 5-star hotels the ideal choice for spending a few unforgettable days exploring Casablanca and its surrounding area.
