Most travelers know Casablanca for its cinematic fame and Atlantic coast skyline, but step off the tourist trail and you’ll find a city quietly humming with creative energy—and an architectural legacy that tells its own story. From the peaceful Habous Quarter to the grand civic buildings of downtown, Casablanca is a living museum of 20th-century Art Deco.
If you're drawn to visual storytelling, design, or unexpected history, this side of Casablanca will feel like a curated exhibition under open skies.
Habous Quarter: A Medina with a French Accent
Built by the French in the 1930s, the Habous Quarter, or “New Medina,” was a planned neighborhood that blends traditional Moroccan elements with clean, elegant Art Deco lines. Whitewashed arcades, green-tiled roofs, and cedarwood doors form the backdrop to quiet bookshops, artisan workshops, and some of the city’s best spice and olive markets.
This district feels calmer than central Casablanca—a place where elderly men in djellabas still sell handmade slippers and brass trays, while younger shopkeepers curate boutique displays of Argan oil and orange-blossom soaps.
What not to miss:
- The olive souk, with pyramids of preserved lemons and capers.
- Dar al Kitab bookshop for rare Arabic and French titles.
- A quiet cup of mint tea in one of the tucked-away courtyards.
- Artisan bakeries selling Kaab el Ghazal (gazelle horn pastries) wrapped in delicate paper.
It’s also a great place to shop for handmade goods that don’t feel overly touristy—everything here is still part of daily life.
Casablanca’s Downtown: Art Deco and Ambition
From Boulevard Mohammed V to the grand sweep of Place Mohammed V, central Casablanca is full of buildings that whisper stories from the city’s French colonial past. Unlike the ornate mosaics of Fez or the fortified kasbahs of the south, this part of Morocco showcases a different visual language: geometric patterns, rounded balconies, wrought-iron railings, and façades that glow gold in the afternoon light.
Start your walk near the Cinema Rialto, a still-functioning Art Deco movie theater from 1930 with sweeping lines and a glamorous past. Continue on foot through Rue Prince Moulay Abdellah, where former hotels and department stores now house small cafés and tailors.
But the heart of this architectural showcase is Place Mohammed V, a vast square flanked by the Main Post Office (1918), Palais de Justice (1925), and the towering Wilaya (built between 1927 and 1936). These buildings were designed to impress: monumental, symmetrical, and wrapped in both Moroccan motifs and French proportions.
Step inside the Post Office if it’s open. Its original marble counters and brass fittings are still intact, offering a tangible glimpse into the civic pride of the early 20th century. Look up at the clock tower, and you’ll see how the French imagined Casablanca as the modern capital of their North African empire.
Villa des Arts: Contemporary in a Classic Shell
To see where Casablanca’s artistic spirit is headed, visit the Villa des Arts, located in a peaceful garden just outside the downtown grid. This 1930s villa-turned-museum hosts rotating exhibits of contemporary Moroccan and African art: paintings, sculpture, and mixed media - inside an Art Deco space that still carries its original charm.
The contrast is part of the magic: modern creativity housed within heritage walls.
Dining in Style: Art Deco Cafés and Classic Moroccan Spots
Exploring architecture works up an appetite, and in Casablanca, you’re never far from a place that nourishes both body and sense of style. Whether you’re craving old-world charm or slow-cooked tradition, the city offers a blend of historic cafés and deeply local kitchens.
For Atmosphere and Art Deco Elegance
Step into a villa frozen in time. Tucked inside a former 1930s home in the heart of the Art Deco district, Le Jasmine is refined without being stuffy. Red velvet chairs, mosaic floors, and softly lit rooms make this a romantic stop. Try their seafood tagine or one of their seasonal prix-fixe menus.
Yes, it’s inspired by Casablanca the movie, but it’s much more than a film set. Housed in a 1930s mansion near the old medina, Rick’s Café blends nostalgia with solid cooking. The Moroccan lamb shank is excellent, and the piano bar adds a charming touch, especially in the evenings.
For Local Flavors and Casablanca’s Culinary Soul
No frills, all flavor. This humble spot near the central market is known for its traditional fish tagines and fried sardines. Don’t expect tablecloths, just locals, laughter, and food that tastes like it came from someone’s home kitchen.
Set inside the fortified walls of a former 18th-century bastion, La Sqala offers a peaceful garden escape near the port. The menu includes all the staples: chicken with preserved lemon, pastilla, and mint tea served in silver pots. It’s a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
If you’re after something traditional with a modern edge, Dar Dada delivers. Housed in a restored riad with subtle Art Deco influences, it’s a great place to try harira soup, lamb with prunes, or couscous on Fridays—the way Casablanca families do.
Stay Connected While You Explore
From snapping photos of graceful staircases to navigating your way from the olive market in Habous to the cinema façades of downtown, staying online helps you make the most of your Casablanca wanderings.
The Morocco JetSet eSIM makes it easy to stay connected without the hassle of local SIM cards or language barriers. With instant data access, you can:
- Use maps to track down hidden cafés or architectural gems.
- Look up details about Art Deco history while standing right beneath a curved balcony.
- Share your finds with friends—whether it's a sumac-laced pastry or a close-up of the old Post Office’s hand-painted tiles.
This way, you stay in the moment and in the know.
