La Corniche
La Corniche is one of those places where everyone would love to live, with wide open spaces, sea views, perfectly maintained gardens and luxury residences. This boulevard in Ain Diab district is the continuation of Boulevard Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah and runs alongside the Atlantic Ocean. It can be reached by travelling in a straight line from famous Hassan II Mosque. Generally speaking, you could say that La Corniche starts with the best views of the mosque and ends at Sidi Abderrahman, near Morocco Mall. It covers several kilometres and has a wide and varied range of leisure attractions, places where you can stop for a drink and relax while watching the world go by, and children’s playgrounds – perfect if you’re travelling with little ones.
It takes at least an hour to reach La Corniche on foot from the centre but you could take a bus (e.g. the number 9 leaves from United Nations Square) or taxi to get there more easily. This part of the coastline is an essential place to visit during a trip to Casablanca because it has many excellent recreational activities to enjoy. While beaches in the city are open to all, to access most of the beaches on La Corniche you have to use the beach clubs which, as their name suggests, are venues on the beach that offer various services. They’re great for eating, relaxing in the pool, sunbathing, strolling along the beach and going for a dip in the Atlantic without being surrounded by crowds of people. Entrance isn’t particularly expensive, but there are also free public beaches at the end of La Corniche.
And you won’t want to miss the wide range of dining options in the area – you’ll find everything from smart restaurants with sea views aimed at tourists to more modest bars for other sections of the population. The former tend to have menus with a French and international theme, while in the latter you can enjoy local food and some French dishes. This French influence should come as no surprise, and you’ll spot plenty of reminders of Casablanca’s French colonial past in its architecture, customs and food.
Going for a stroll, cycling or roller skating, enjoying the views, soaking up the lively atmosphere, going shopping and eating are all great reasons to visit La Corniche on your next trip to Casablanca.
And make sure you explore the rest of Ain Diab district too because on a visit to this prosperous area, fun and leisure are guaranteed. For example, it has the city’s best nightclubs, confirming Casablanca’s status as a modern city, perhaps the most modern in Morocco. This is also demonstrated by Morocco Mall, a contemporary shopping centre with Moroccan and international brands that stands at one end of La Corniche.