The biggest city in Morocco is Casablanca, and it’s a heck of a lot more than a name from a classic film. Located on the coast along the Atlantic, Casablanca is the economic hub of Morocco and a blend of old-world charm and new-world dynamism. With over 3 million residents, it’s not just the biggest city in Morocco, but one of North Africa’s most important urban centers.
Casablanca is known for its business districts, huge port (one of the largest in Africa), and modern infrastructure. The city has a unique personality that draws people in. You will find historic buildings with French colonial architecture and stylish restaurants all packed into busy streets.
One of the most familiar landmarks in Casblanca is the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. It precariously sits on the edge of the ocean, and its minaret towers over the city skyline. Whether you’re a culture vulture, an architecture buff, or just a people-watcher, it’s an experience you can’t miss.
Casablanca is a city of contrasts as well. You can be walking through the fashionable Maarif quarter, with boutiques and international chains, one minute, and walking through the ancient medina, with crooked streets, local artisans, and the smell of old Morocco, the next.
Though it may lack the atmospheric old-world romanticism of such places as Marrakech or Fez, Casablanca has a rhythm all its own. It’s frenetic, cosmopolitan, and ever in motion. For anyone seeking to experience Morocco’s true, contemporary face—with still catching some glimpses of its deeply embedded culture—Casablanca is the city to visit. It’s not only Morocco’s largest city—it’s one of its most interesting.
