The Top Things to Do and See in the Medina, Casablanca
The architecture of the Hassan II Mosque, the shops of the Quartier Habous, the movie nostalgia of Rick’s Café – there’s plenty to love in the Medina of Casablanca. Stuck on what to visit first? Here’s a rundown of the top attractions in this Moroccan port city on the Atlantic.
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The Old Medina
Historical Landmark
Step back in time and stroll through the streets of the Old Medina, the pre-20th-century city frozen in time. Remnants of the old city walls and forts can still be seen, and the narrow alleyways have remained the same for hundreds of years.
Much of this historic centre is now a bazaar; artisans selling leather goods, oils, linens, shoes and spices, or even antiques passed down by their ancestors. You’ll have to barter, but most vendors offer reasonable prices or are willing to negotiate. Here you’ll also find various outdoor cafes and smaller restaurants, so enjoy a coffee or tea while watching the locals go about their daily life.
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Store
Hassan II Mosque
Mosque
The mosque is open to all Muslims at daily prayer times and for special services, and open to non-Muslims for guided tours, which take place several times a day in different languages. One of the most incredible parts of the mosque, and an area prohibited to non-Muslim visitors, is a glass-floor section above the sea, so royalty can kneel directly over the waters to pray.
Place Mohammed V
Architectural Landmark
Quartier Habous
Market, Architectural Landmark
Shop owners here are known to be friendly and to offer affordable prices – find traditional Moroccan clothing, slippers, carpets and handmade trinkets. Book stores and open-air restaurants can also be found here and make for relaxing stops during the day. There are also well-known bakeries and pastry shops, including Bennis Habous, which sells delicious, authentic Moroccan cakes.
Rick's Café
Bar, Cafe, Restaurant, Continental
Patisserie Bennis Habous
Patisserie, Moroccan, Halal
Loft Art Gallery
Art Gallery, Museum, Shop
Oliveri
Ice Cream Parlour, Ice Cream
Arguably the most famous ice cream shop in Casablanca, Oliveri is a top-quality joint with affordable prices and kind-hearted staff. The family-owned business was founded in 1950, and staff still use the same traditional techniques to make their creamy, mouth-watering flavours today. The gelato and sorbet varieties here are brilliant and are comparable to the lighter ice creams of Italy. The queues are longer in the evenings, but the wait is worth it.
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