The Medina of Casablanca is a must on any visit to this city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. This area is the legacy of the past of a city that underwent major development in the 20th century under French influence, and is an area of interesting historical and cultural value. Welcome to the Medina of Casablanca!
Although Casablanca is more modern than other Moroccan cities, it still has its Medina, or old town, which is well worth exploring. It’s an area next to the port, the birthplace of this huge city.
As in any other medina, you should enter it and lose yourself during the day. The atmosphere of the souk will sweep you off your feet in no time. Casablanca is a very dynamic city made to be experienced and enjoyed, a trading town and good seaport, and now the great Atlantic city of North Africa.
- History of the old town of Casablanca
- What to see in the Medina
- Markets and shopping
- Sample Moroccan gastronomy
- Where to stay in Casablanca
History of the old town of Casablanca
Casablanca developed around its Medina and its port. Compared to Morocco’s imperial cities, the Medina of Casablanca is much more modest, measuring around 50 hectares in size. The area is Casablanca before the 20th century and the arrival of the French. It’s a small town that lived off its port and that has survived to the present day in the form of the characteristic streets and some historical monuments such as the walls and gates of the old town.
What we know today as Casablanca was centuries ago the city of Anfa, a settlement founded by the Berbers around the 7th century AD that became independent at various points in history.
In the 15th century, the Portuguese razed the town to the ground and later built a military fortress in 1515, around which a new settlement called Casa Branca grew, which is the present-day Medina. The 1755 Lisbon earthquake destroyed most of the city, which was rebuilt in 1760 by Sultan Ben Abadia, who renamed it Dar El Beida (Arabic for “White House”). However, from 1781 onwards, the Spanish name Casablanca was used as the permanent name.
Today, the Medina occupies a prime position in the city, between the port roadstead and the Hassan II Mosque. It’s surrounded by a four-kilometre wall with eight gates, including the Marrakesh Gate on the south side. The Medina is divided into three areas: the Medina itself, the Jewish quarter, and the Tnaker area.
What to see in the Medina
As in other Moroccan cities, the Medina is a place to get lost and explore. Its alleyways, its hidden corners, its people and shops, and the atmosphere it provides, make it the perfect place to let yourself be carried away. The Medina is essentially a large bazaar, where craftsmen and merchants offer their leather goods, shoes, linen, spices, and antiques, among many other things. You’ll also find cafés and small restaurants where you can take a break.
Haggling is always on the agenda, of course, so you can try your hand at bargaining with some of the sellers.
But before experiencing the souk, you can walk all round the ramparts that surround the Medina of Casablanca, an interesting perimeter of walls and gates that are well worth seeing. These include Bab el-Marsa or Marina Gate, the only one that maintains its original appearance, Bab el-Kebir or Bab es-Souk, a gate with a beautiful horseshoe arch, or Bab Jdid.
Next to the Bab el-Kebir gate is the clock tower, a 1993 replica of the one built in 1911 by the French. The tower is 30 metres tall and resembles a minaret.
Inside the walls of the Medina of Casablanca, there are also some interesting monuments. For example, some of its four mosques, such as the Great Mosque, the Ould el-Hamra Mosque (dating from the 18th century), or the Koubba of Sidi Belyout.
Another interesting area to explore is the Jewish quarter, or Mellah, where you will find the Beth-El synagogue and the large cemetery, which has not been used for any new burials since 1947.
Markets and shopping
The Medina of Casablanca is a bazaar in itself. With merchants lining the streets all day long, there’s no better place to shop in Casablanca than here.
Nevertheless, there are also some interesting markets in and around the Medina. The Central Market is a feast for the senses, where fish, seafood, fruit, vegetables, and flowers are offered to the locals every morning. You can also eat in one of the restaurants in the area.
You can also visit the Bab Marrakech Market, another fantastic city market in the heart of Casablanca’s Medina.
Sample Moroccan gastronomy
As well as being great places to wander around and wander among the stalls, the medinas also offer great opportunities to sample the rich Moroccan gastronomy. You’ll find food stalls and small bars, restaurants, and tea shops where you can take a break and try any kind of dish or product.
We can’t overlook some of the modern establishments you can visit in the Medina. You’ve probably seen the film Casablanca that features the bar run by Rick (Humphrey Bogart), Rick’s Café. Although the scenes were filmed in Hollywood, in Casablanca they wanted to depict that iconic bar and make a replica of Rick’s Café, with the same name and decoration as in the historic film. The menu includes everything from fish to grilled meats, tagines, and fruits, always with a musical backdrop, just like in the film.
You can also visit the restaurant La Sqala, whose name is a reference to the defences that the city used to have in front of the port. This restaurant is known for its breakfasts, with delicious juices and teas, in a lovely setting.
Where to stay in Casablanca
Casablanca is home to many hotels. We can recommend two of them for their quality and location in the city centre. These are the Barceló Casablanca and Barceló Anfa Casablanca hotels, two hotels of the Spanish chain that meet all the requirements for a quality stay in the city and in Morocco.
The Barceló Casablanca is a four-star hotel located on Boulevard Anfa, near the Arab League Park. It’s the perfect hotel for mid-range budgets and has rooms with views over the mosque.
Nearby is the five-star Barceló Anfa Casablanca. This grand hotel is the ideal choice if you’re looking for a stay of the highest standard in a place with all the amenities, such as a swimming pool, terrace, spa, and restaurants.
