Casablanca is slowly becoming another golf centre for Morocco as the sport continues to grow on the back of the new resorts and hotels that are springing up all over the country. Casablanca cannot yet rival other destinations such as Marrakech in terms of number of courses, but around Casablanca lies the excellent Mohammedia Royal Golf Club, the 9-hole Anfa Royal Golf Club and to the south Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf and Spa and the newer Mazagan Beach Resort.
This spectacular new facility is situated at Doukkala, 60 miles south of Casablanca, on the Atlantic coast. It is off the tourist track and close to El Jadida, a city which draw in lovers of history as well as other holiday-makers.
Beautiful palm trees lining its paths, with the Atlantic ocean over the horizon, and large business buildings in every corner : Casablanca is the economic lung of Morocco ; a bustling metropolis.
Modern infrastructures are in the middle of charming districts, between Arab-Muslim heritage and legacies of the colonial period. Discover all the possibilities : take a stroll in the medina, which is one of latest medinas built in Morocco, roam through the centre and its art-deco buildings, and join the Hassan II mosque ; the splendid of architecture built on the water.
Let yourself be tempted by the festive side of the city. Take advantage of the cornice, its clubs and festivals too, such as the Casablanca Festival, Jazzablanca or Tremplin L’Boulevard.
The coastline, bordered by beaches equipped to suit all your comfort, invites you to experience the most fun activities that will make your stay more enjoyable, from diving, to jet-skiing to boating.
The White city, Casablanca, is where culture and serenity activities blend seamlessly.
During the 16th century, the Portuguese occupied this region because of its high strategic value. They built the fortress at Mazagan which withstood attacks from the Moroccans for two centuries. Renamed El Jadida (The New) in 1832, it regained its Portuguese name of Mazagan under French protectorate, until its independence in 1956 when it became El Jadida once again. Its well preserved architectural treasures and the subtle mixture of both Moroccan and European cultures have earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
By visiting the mysterious cistern and its majestic vaults, cinema lovers will recognize some of the decorations used by Orson Wells in “Othello”. Multiple cinematographic and televisual productions come in droves each year to benefit from El Jadida assets.
Between a green eucalyptus forest and the splendid beach of El Haouzia, the Kerzner International group known for establishing the Atlantis complex in Dubai, was also inspired enough to create the sumptuous seaside resort of Mazagan.
While enjoying its beaches, modern golf courses and the festive atmosphere of its seaside resort, El Jadida invites you to discover ancestral traditions during the moussem of Moulay-Abdallah Amghar, where you’ll witness a stunning falcon training show, as well as other epic activities such as the Fantazia.
El Jadida-Mazagan, is an unmissable place with a stunning seaside resort that will give a wishful taste of comeback !
Gastronomy
As the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Morocco, Casablanca has earned a reputation as a must-visit destination for gourmets.
To help you find food that is uniquely Moroccan, though, we’ve rounded up a list of dishes every visitor to Casablanca should try. Most of them are national delicacies, although Casablanca’s location on the Atlantic shore means that seafood variations are both popular and especially delicious.
Tagines are prepared in cone-shaped clay pots (also called tagines) that help to retain moisture while the ingredients cook slowly over a low heat. This unique method guarantees unparalleled flavor and tenderness, while the addition of spices like turmeric, ginger, saffron, and cinnamon gives the stew a distinctly exotic taste. Tagines come in many different flavors, including lamb, chicken, and kefta (meatballs with fried egg).
Couscous, made from steamed balls of crushed semolina, couscous is a standard dish across Morocco. It is ubiquitous in Casablanca, where you will find it in every Moroccan restaurant, either as an accompaniment to a tagine or other stew, or as a complete entrée. Couscous on its own is quite bland, but Moroccan chefs know how to make each bite memorable with the addition of complex spices. Couscous tfaya, for instance, is a specialty prepared with caramelized onions and raisins. Some recipes require nuts, including seffa, a popular Moroccan dessert that combines couscous with butter, cinnamon, and almonds.
Pastilla is a kind of savory parcel made from sheets of paper-thin werqa dough. Traditionally the filling would have been made using pigeon meat, but nowadays chicken or fish are the most common varieties. The top of the pie is dusted with icing sugar, cinnamon, and nuts, giving it a delectable, contrasting sweetness.
Seafood. No inland city in Morocco can match Casablanca for the freshness of its seafood. If you head to the port, you can watch fishermen unloading their catch yourself. Seafood restaurants in Casablanca serve everything from grilled and fried line fish to prawns, oysters, and lobster. A Moroccan specialty is fish chermoula, which is any kind of fish dish prepared with a traditional marinade of herbs and spices called chermoula. For the most authentic flavors, opt for a whole fish basted and grilled over hot coals.
Another Moroccan staple worth trying in Casablanca is harira, a thick, flavorful soup named for the Arabic word meaning “silky.” Harira is typically associated with Ramadan, when it is served to break the fast come sunset. It’s also a perennial favorite with a permanent place on the menu of Moroccan restaurants across the city. Exact recipes and ingredients vary from chef to chef, but harira is usually packed with vegetables (including lentils, fava beans, and chickpeas), and stewed in a tomato and harissa broth. Herbs and spices ranging from caraway seeds to coriander give each version its unique hallmark.
For the adventurous meat-eaters out there, kebda mchermla is a North African delicacy that delivers an unforgettable flavor punch. Typically served as an appetizer or as an accompaniment to a main dish, kebda mchermla is essentially lamb’s liver prepared with chermoula, the special herb and spice blend typically associated with seafood dishes. Other ingredients depend on the chef and your personal preference, but could include garlic, parsley, and chilli. If prepared correctly, the liver should be melt-in-the-mouth tender.
The Moroccan version of carb-loaded comfort food, rfissa is an addictive dish that consists of chicken and lentils served on a bed of shredded msemen, a dense local flatbread. Occasionally the msemen is substituted for trid pastry, meloui (a type of pancake), or day-old bread. Either way, the chicken and lentils are drenched in a rich broth that soaks deliciously into the starch, making for a truly satisfying meal. The broth is seasoned with a spice blend known as ras el hanout, as well as fenugreek seeds and saffron.
Any Casablanca restaurant that specializes in traditional Moroccan food will likely offer zaalouk, a salad primarily made of grilled eggplant blended with cooked tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and coriander. Most zaalouk recipes call for paprika and cumin as well, giving the dish a distinct smoky flavor that makes it the ideal accompaniment to grilled meat and fish. If you’re in the mood for a snack rather than a full meal, order zaalouk with a side of msemen flatbread and use it as a delicious spread.
Those with a sweet tooth will be pleased to hear that Morocco has its fair share of sugary specialties as well. Among our favorites is sfenj, Morocco’s version of a donut. These fritter-like pastries are made from unleavened, unsweetened dough, which is then twisted into a ring shape and deep fried. Just like an American donut, the outside of the sfenj is crispy and golden while the inside is pillow-soft and utterly addictive. After emerging from the oil, the sfenj is usually dusted with granulated or powdered sugar. They can also be sprinkled with cinnamon or soaked in honey.
Climate
You can travel all year round to Morocco as the climate is warm. Very small amounts of rain do fall between November and March, but the climate is generally dry.
From December until February the average temperature are between 9°C and 19°C.
March, April and November the average temperature are between 11°C and 21°C.
May and October the average temperature are between 15°C and 24°C.
From June until September the average temperature are between 18°C and 26°C.