I had about a day and to be honest--I think a day was enough time. Casablanca is the commercial center of Morocco, so there just isn't (IMO) much to see. That being said, I did make the most of my day there.
I found a kind taxi driver at the airport--Mohamed--who offered to be my tour guide. The problem was, Mohamed spoke Arabic and very minimal French and I speak very minimal French myself. This was a rare match as most people in Morocco do speak French fluently--French is taught in the schools, but we still managed to figure it out.
1. Hassan II Mosque
Mohamed suggested this famous mosque as our 1st stop. This mosque is very magnificent indeed--the biggest and most beautiful mosque I have seen--and is probably the highlight/the best thing to see in Casablanca if you do decide to go there.
The main religion of Morocco--it is believed that up to 99% of the country--is Islam. So do dress modestly, especially when visiting the mosque. I got this maxi dress at Rainbow in the Bronx for about $15 and even though the weather was pretty hot and sunny, it was required that we wear shoulder to knee covered clothing and no shoes inside the mosque itself, especially.
Hassan II Mosque is the 2nd largest functioning Mosque in Africa--over 100,000 people can potentially gather for prayer here. Islamic prayer is done 5 times a day--Fajr in pre-dawn, Dhuhr at noon, 'Asr at Afternoon, Maghrib at Sunset, 'Isha at Evening. The times vary but you will hear the special Islamic call to prayer in Morocco (in Egypt as well!).
Commissioned by King Hassan II, this mosque was started to honor the death of King Mohammed V, who ruled as sultan in Morocco from 1927 to 1961.
There are multiple tours with knowledgeable guides in English, French, and Arabic as well almost every hour so you can see the inside the mosque as well.
My favorite part of the mosque was rhe Wudu wash room where the worshippers practice the washing ritual before formal prayer.
2. Rick's Cafe
Another tourist spot, Rick's Cafe is a restaurant that recreates the famous bar scene in the classic 1942 film Casablanca. It is quite close to the Hassan II Mosque and is a great stop for lunch or dinner.
The food was good--mostly a selection of seafood, American style but some cooked in Moroccan styles. Portions were big and for NYC, quite affordable, but a bit pricey for Casablanca (it is a tourist destination after all). They also serve alcohol.
The pianist played lovely live music all throughout the lunch:
It is not a very fancy restaurant but it does have an upscale vibe, and there is a dress code--no flip flops, tank tops, or overly casual wear.
3. Bazaar
And of course, one must visit a bazaar to get some souvenirs. Bazaars are similar to big marketplaces and each "stand" has a different goods you can "bargain" with the seller for. I'm not the best at bargaining but I did get a pair of handmade Moroccan slippers and some keychains and magnets.
4. Morocco Mall
Morocco Mall offers a more modern place for shopping. There are more international brands, but you do sacrifice the "local feel" that bazaar shopping offers you.
I had to pick up some of the famous Moroccan argan oil, Moroccan tea, and Moroccan chocolates.
If I ever have time and the luxury to visit Morocco again, I would love to visit Marrekesh. Casablanca is a good stop for 1 or 2 days but I do think Marrekesh would be a better vacation with more options to experience and indulge in the beautiful culture and history of Morocco.
Overall though, the Moroccan people were kind and welcoming and I do hope to return one day!
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