Casablanca

Casablanca is the main getaway to Morocco for many people. This city is the industrial center of Morocco. It is the largest city with a beautiful setting. The city has a beautiful center with many historical buildings. Relocating to Morocco is always a good choice. You will be surprised by the hospitality and kindness of the people there. The diverse culture, Moroccan cuisine, open people, and beautiful country will never bore you. 

City Overview 

Casablanca is a modern city located in western Morocco, near the Atlantic Ocean. The city consists of 384 km2 and has a population of 3.36 million (2014). Casablanca means white house. The city got its name from Spanish merchants in the 18th century who began to settle there. The growth of the port and commercial progress of Casablanca have made the city the economic capital of Morocco. The official language of Casablanca is Standard Arabic. Next to this language they also speak French. The timezone in Casablanca is Greenwich Mean Time or Universal Time, which is a two-hour difference from Central European Time. 

Casablanca city overview
Casablanca Environment

Environment

Casablanca is located near the sea, therefore Casablanca has a typical Mediterranean climate with summers that are warm and muggy and winters that are cool and cloudy. The warmest months are July and August, with average temperatures of 26 degrees Celsius. The coolest months are between December and March, with an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius. In the summer months, between June and August, the average temperature of the sea is 22 degrees Celsius. Casablanca is just a ferry ride from Spain and is located in Western North Africa.

Culture & Nightlife

Culture

Casablanca has a diverse culture. Religion is taken very seriously here. A few examples are that on Fridays the restaurants close at prayer time and during the religious month of Ramadan. A lot of restaurants and food shops are closed and use this time to invest in renovation. Some international shops stay open. When you move to Casablanca, religion is not the only difference compared to other European countries. The pace of life is slower compared to other European countries with the same size of economic strength. 

Another cultural difference is the hospitality in Morocco. There is a big chance that many people want to introduce you to Moroccan cuisine, their culture, and their way of living. 

Casablanca´s cuisine is a mix of North African traditions and Arabic and French delights. Here are a few must-try dishes:

  • Couscous is a traditional Berber dish of granules of durum wheat which is prepared steaming. Couscous is often served with meat or vegetables. 
  • Tajine refers to a type of North African cookware which is used for slow cooking. Tagine is a slow-cooked savory stew, often made with sliced meat or fish together with vegetables or fruit.
  • Bastilla is a famous Moroccan pie consisting of chicken (also possible to make with seafood), egg, and almonds combining sweet and salty flavors.
Casablanca Tajine

Nightlife

If you are looking for a good night out. You are in the right place in Casablanca. The center of Medina has a selection of nightclubs and bars. If you want to enter a club in Casablanca, you often have to pay around 200-250 DH. Morocco´s nightlife does not revolve around alcohol, however, there are still plenty of places where you can go dancing and listen to music. Here is a list of a few nice places to go for a fun night out. 

  • La bodega; is when you want a fun evening with a good atmosphere live music and good food. 
  • The VIP club; is a good place for people who love Arabic music and for people who want to get a taste of Arabic music in a luxurious place with a large dance floor. 
  • Armstrong Casablanca; is a great place to have fun while dancing with friends. Different styles of music. 
  • La Java; The best nights are karaoke on Mondays and Wednesdays and the live sessions on Friday and Saturday nights.

Public transport

Casablanca can be very busy, especially during rush hours. In this blog, you will find some useful tips that might help you to get around easier. The public transport in Casablanca is very easy. 

Casa tramway

Most people choose to make use of the CasaTramway. This is a very efficient method of transportation in Casablanca. The city has more than 70 stations and the trams are clean, safe, and comfortable. A single journey costs 6 dirhams, there are also different types of passes which are a better option when you use the tram often. Information about the passes can be found in the vending machines at the stations. The tram runs between 6 am and midnight. 

Bus

This is a busier option than the tram is the bus. However, the bus is the cheapest way of public transport in Casablanca. The bus runs between 6:45 am and 9:15 pm. A single ticket is 4 dirhams. 

Another option which runs unlike the tram and bus 24 hours a day is the taxi. After 8 pm there is a 50% surcharge. A tip is to always agree with the price before the ride instead of at the end of the ride and to negotiate. 

Housing

Finding an apartment or room to stay in Casablanca can be hard. There are many websites offering accommodations. Here are some tips to get you started and help you find accommodation. 

Sometimes it can be hard to find an apartment when you are not already living in Casablanca. Renting a short-term apartment can be a good option. It can help you (and your family) to get situated and find a good place to live in Casablanca. When you already live in Casablanca, you get to know the city better and you are also able to visit the offered apartment before signing something permanent. A good website for short-term accommodation is Subrent

If you are moving to Casablanca on your own. Sharing a flat might be a cheaper option which will also help you to get to know more people. Sharing an apartment with another person might be a good way to share costs and prevent feeling lonely. Websites you could use for this are.

Some things to keep in mind while renting an apartment in Morocco are:

  • Apartments in Morocco are often ´come as they are´ apartments. This means that they are often not painted and beautifully decorated, especially for the tenant. It’s often the responsibility of the tenant to take care of repairs while living there. 
  • You can also choose to rent an apartment unfurnished. Keep in mind that some apartments in this case may not have a refrigerator or any other kitchen appliances. Next to that, there may not be a normal toilet as you are used to. Some apartments have a traditional toilet which can only be flushed with a bucket of water. 

The prices of rental apartments in Casablanca are between 2500 and 6000 MAD per month. 

Healthcare

The healthcare system in Morocco works differently than in other countries. In Morocco, the insurance you get depends on your work situation. They have public insurance which is only accessible to certain segments of the population, such as civil servants, workers at public enterprises, and certain professionals. The public healthcare system is better than no healthcare but can´t be considered the best option.

The private sector is paid and covers the insurance of employees and their families. By Western standards, private healthcare in Morocco is very affordable. A visit to the office can cost between 10-15 dollars, medication costs a few dollars and an operation will bring you to 500 dollars. 

If you are planning on moving to Casablanca from another country, Cigna Insurance might be a good option. They are designed for globally mobile individuals who move to Morocco. They have access to more than 1.65 million hospitals, clinics, etc. They are known for always finding the best healthcare solution with the best budget. 

Numbers to call in case of emergency. 

  • Ambulance = 15
  • Police = 19
  • Fire Department = 15

Pharmacies are very easy to identify in Morocco. They are identified with a green cross. Another useful tip, expect to pay cash when you visit a pharmacy or hospital. Last but not least, if you need to go to the hospital for a few days or get an operation, you have to bring your stuff with you. Think of a bottle of water, towels, a blanket, and a pillow. 

Casablanca Healthcare, Pharmacy

Some words to get you started

Engels Arabic + Prunancation  French
Goodmorning !yawmun sa ʾīd يوم سعيد Bonjour
What time is it? kamu s-sāʿah  كم الساعة؟ ?  Quelle heure est-il?
Where is …? ’ayna…? أين…؟ Où est?
What is the price of …? kam siʿru… ? كم سعر…؟ Quel est le prix de …?
I need a doctor ‘ana bi ḥāğatin ʾilā ṭabīb أنا بحاجة إلى طبيب J’ai besoin d’un docteur
See you later ʾila l-liqāʾi إلى اللقاء À plus tard