Casablanca in a day
May 13th, 2021, 05:14 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Casablanca in a day
Hey, Fordorites. Sorry to ask a cruise related question, but at 80+ its about the only way we get to travel any more. Our cruise will stop at Casablanca on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, and be in port from 9am to 6pm. Never having been there, I am scouting out the best ways to spend our time in this city. We both want to see the market, having been to two in Istanbul years ago. We would prefer to have a small group shore excursion, but most that I have looked at have several other stops, with the market as almost an after thought. Anyway, any comments on how to spend a day in Casablanca would be appreciated. FYI, we previously stop for a day in Agadir, and I guess I have the same questions for that port. Thanks, you all.
May 13th, 2021, 09:04 PM
#2
Well, I much preferred Rabat to Casa, but you don't have much time. The Hassan II mosque is probably a must, this was my report:
"As befits a largely modern city (growing rapidly outwards with rings of apartment blocks and shanty towns) the mosque is new, having been built in the 1980s and 90s by the then king, mostly using “voluntary” donations - more than half a billion dollars worth. It is also huge: said to be the world’s third largest mosque and able to hold 25,000 people inside and another 80,000 in the courtyards. While it’s a showcase for Moroccan crafts, and elaborately decorated, I found it rather sterile."
There is also some Moroccan Art Deco architecture in the central city, and the Corniche along the waterfront. I didn't spend much time in the medina, but I was visiting several others.
Photos of Rabat Casa here (Casa starts at photo #34): https://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/...nd-Casablanca/
"As befits a largely modern city (growing rapidly outwards with rings of apartment blocks and shanty towns) the mosque is new, having been built in the 1980s and 90s by the then king, mostly using “voluntary” donations - more than half a billion dollars worth. It is also huge: said to be the world’s third largest mosque and able to hold 25,000 people inside and another 80,000 in the courtyards. While it’s a showcase for Moroccan crafts, and elaborately decorated, I found it rather sterile."
There is also some Moroccan Art Deco architecture in the central city, and the Corniche along the waterfront. I didn't spend much time in the medina, but I was visiting several others.
Photos of Rabat Casa here (Casa starts at photo #34): https://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/...nd-Casablanca/
Last edited by thursdaysd; May 13th, 2021 at 09:08 PM.
May 14th, 2021, 12:15 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 22,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hiring a guide through the tourist office could be a solution; that's what we did in Fez. You say what you want to see, he'll take you there, although there is no avoiding the shops (rugs, ceramics, etc.) where you will stop "just by chance".
May 14th, 2021, 12:55 PM
#5
I agree that Rabat is an infinitely more interesting place to visit. Casa is pretty much Morocco's commercial center with little of interest to fill a day. I think you'd be disappointed. I'd recommend hiring a taxi for the day, do some reading to know what appeals to you & spend it in Rabat, not far & plenty of time in my estimation, an hour drive each way or there are trains. But having a driver would be preferable for getting around efficiently in Rabat & back to your ship.
May 15th, 2021, 08:15 AM
#8
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
May 15th, 2021, 03:15 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oceania and most cruise ships that I know of dock at Casablanca. Many shore ex's as well as other operated tours, small group and private, spend most of the day in Rabat, a 45 min to 1 hour distance. One short day for both towns is pathetic, I know, but that is our situation at this time. The days of independent travel are over for us except road trips in USA.
May 15th, 2021, 03:40 PM
#10
This was my take on Rabat: Tasty tagines and mobbed medinas - a Moroccan medley
If you have a choice of sites, don't miss the Chellah or the kasbah. I sympathize about the cruise, I haven't quite reached that stage, but I can see it on the horizon.
Afraid I can't help with Agadir, I went to Essaouira.
If you have a choice of sites, don't miss the Chellah or the kasbah. I sympathize about the cruise, I haven't quite reached that stage, but I can see it on the horizon.
Afraid I can't help with Agadir, I went to Essaouira.
May 15th, 2021, 03:55 PM
#11
Regarding Agadir, it's well known as a package tour beach destination & because an earthquake leveled the medina some years ago it isn't much to look at. My experience with it is limited to a coffee break on the way to Essaouira. However, Taroudant is an atmospheric provincial town about an hour & 20 minutes inland. If you'd like a taste of Morocco to contrast with your visit to Rabat I recommend Taroudant.
May 15th, 2021, 03:59 PM
#12
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,490
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oceania and most cruise ships that I know of dock at Casablanca. Many shore ex's as well as other operated tours, small group and private, spend most of the day in Rabat, a 45 min to 1 hour distance. One short day for both towns is pathetic, I know, but that is our situation at this time. The days of independent travel are over for us except road trips in USA.
I will look into Oceania.
Larry
.
May 15th, 2021, 04:25 PM
#13
On the off chance you're up for a bit of an adventure & can leave the ship for one night, think about leaving immediately from Agadir and driving to Essaouira for that day & overnight, about a 3 hour drive up the coast. Next day head north again, stopping in Safi for lunch, it's where they make the distinctive Safi pottery which I love, & continue on to the port city of El Jadida, then rejoin the ship in Casablanca.
