{"id":9563,"date":"2026-05-18T14:00:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.secretescapes.com\/?p=9563"},"modified":"2026-05-18T15:07:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:07:50","slug":"secret-guide-to-rabat-and-casablanca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.secretescapes.com\/escapist\/secret-guide-to-rabat-and-casablanca\/","title":{"rendered":"Secret Guide to Rabat and Casablanca"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From Art Deco gems in Casablanca to secret pirate citadels in the capital city, this is your local guide to these two iconic Moroccan cities. Most travellers treat Casablanca as a must-see, while the country\u2019s capital, Rabat, is often unfairly overlooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where is Casablanca Located in Morocco?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Casablanca sits centrally on the western Atlantic coastline, roughly 90 km south of the capital, Rabat. It is the largest city in the Maghreb and serves as the primary gateway for international flights. Its location makes it the perfect starting point for a road trip: you have the coastal breeze to your west and the smooth highway to the north leading straight to Rabat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Casablanca: More Than a Movie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Casablanca\u2019s beauty is somewhat of a secret, but it\u2019s absolutely worth going to look for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art Deco Treasures in the Downtown District<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Forget the “Old Medina” for a moment; the real soul of Casablanca is its Art Deco architecture. In the 1920s and 30s, French architects used the city as a canvas. Walk down Boulevard Mohammed V and look up. You\u2019ll see ornate balconies and “Mauresque” facades that feel reminiscent of Parisian streets. Many of the buildings, like the Hotel Lincoln or the Post Office, were built during the French Protectorate era. The white-washed facades, geometric carvings, and wrought-iron balconies are exactly what gave the city its romantic reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see where the glamorous residents of 1940s Casablanca actually spent their evenings, head to Cinema Rialto. Built in 1930, this is one of the oldest Art Deco cinemas in the city. It remains largely unchanged, with a grand balcony and plush red seating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hidden Gems in Casablanca:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n