Casablanca International Airport, named after Mohammed V, owes its name to the sultan Matar Muhammad al-Khamis ad-Dowaly and is located in Nouasseur, about 30 km south-east of the city of Casablanca; an easily coverable distance if you choose to rely on RentalUp to take advantage of the car rental service from Casablanca International Airport.
Mohammed V Airport is the most important and busiest one for passenger traffic throughout Morocco and counts about 7 million passengers every year. Casablanca International Airport is connected to the main European cities, but also to the most important cities all over the world. The safest way to visit Morocco is the car rental service in Casablanca, once landed at the airport. In this case, however, we suggest you to book your rental car on RentalUp before departure.
Drive along the N1 from Bouskoura from P3038 for 7 km, take the toll road N11 and continue for 12 km and then take the A3 in the direction of Casablanca, to reach the city centre. Leaving the A3 in the direction Route des Oulad Ziane, continue along this road for 2,5 km. You will get to Casablanca in about 30 minutes.
Casablanca: points of interest
The fascinating city of Casablanca became famous thanks to the movie, titled right “Casablanca”, with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
Former colony of France, this city runs faster than the other Moroccan cities. It is, indeed, a true metropolis. Casablanca was founded by Berber fishermen, but over the time it acquired the current popularity. This sudden change of the lifestyle led to a replacement of the typical jellabas with the classic occidental clothes and the boutiques of the European big brands changed its economy.
Visiting the old town, known as Medina, will allow you to discover the most ancient charm that this city preserves in its Moresque architectures, surrounded by majestic walls. The centre of the city life is in Mohammed V Square, rich in bars and restaurants where you can taste the local specialties and enjoy the Moroccan food. If you love shopping, you can visit the district Habous, originally built by the French during the 1930s.
Along the Atlantic Ocean, this city is the ideal location for those who love aquatic sports and, indeed, the luxury beaches will allow you to plan diving sessions, jet skiing, snorkelling, sailing and much more. However, if you would like to enjoy the maximum relaxation, you can choose one of the equipped beaches.
If you visit the Marchè Central, you will have the possibility to taste some of the typical foods of Casablanca and to enjoy its authentic atmosphere, a few steps from the bar Petit Poucet, whose customers were some of the most worldwide famous figures such as Albert Camus and Antoine de Saint Exupéry. In United Nations Square there is the Clock Tower, about 20-meters high and located on the border with the Medina.
Casablanca: art and culture
The majestic Hassan II Mosque, a place of worship built on water, is very famous from the architectonical and cultural points of view; it is the second biggest one after Makkah.
In Casablanca contemporary buildings communicate perfectly with the Arabian-Islamic cultural patrimony and with the architectonical and artistical colonial heritage of this place. Moreover, in the city centre, there are buildings in Art Deco style, dating back to the early XX century.
Another one of the most known and appreciated tourist attractions is the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, unique in its kind throughout the Muslim territory: it represents a homage to the Jewish culture that highly influenced this region. Moreover, the Cathédrale du Sacré Coeur, deconsecrated in occasion of the Independence of Morocco in 1956, is very precious. This building in Moresque style and with relevant Neogothic influences, was used to host up to 40 thousand faithful. Currently, it is the seat of many temporary exhibitions.
The architectures of the Wilaya, the old police headquarters that today is the seat of the governor, and the majestic building of the Main Post Office are very interesting, too. If you would like to chill out in the city, you can get to Arab League Park or walking along the Atlantic Ocean or along the road The Corniche, which leads to the lighthouse Hank.
Lastly, if you love music, you will have the possibility to attend one of the many worldwide famous festivals that are held in Casablanca during the year, such as the Jazzblanca or the Tremplin L’Boulevard.
