A Free Morocco Travel Guide:

Casablanca, Marrakech & Essaouira

Morocco is a land of living history — where Amazigh origins, imperial dynasties, colonial influences, and modern creativity converge. To journey here is to step into a mosaic of architecture, spirituality, and artistry shaped across centuries.

At The Moorish Muse, we honor Morocco not just as a destination but a rich cultural legacy — a place where culture, heritage, and soul remains alive and timeless. This short guide explores three major cities that represent different spirits of Morocco: Casablanca, Marrakech, and Essaouira. Together, they form part of the story of Morocco’s pulse, aura, and vibe.

Casablanca: The Beating Heart of Morocco

Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city with over four million residents, is as complex as it is captivating. Known for its Art Deco architecture, Atlantic coastline, and bustling energy, Casablanca is where Morocco’s modern identity was shaped. Think of it as the Moroccan New York.

Origins & Early History

• The name “Casablanca” traces back to the Berber word chaonia, meaning “heap” or “mound,” reflecting the earliest settlement’s pastoral life built on sheep farming.

• Between 1468 and 1515, the Portuguese conquered and fortified the city, renaming it Casa Branca. They built strong defenses, but in 1755, the catastrophic Lisbon earthquake destroyed much of the settlement.

• Following local revolts, Sultan Moulay Ismail closed the port. It would remain quiet until 1880, when Sultan Abderrahman reopened it — by then, the population had dwindled to only about 600 inhabitants.

The Rise of Modern Casablanca

• By the mid-19th century, Casablanca attracted global interest during the European Industrial Revolution. France and England sought grain and goods, and foreign consuls — including the British — began to establish offices in the city.

• French shipping lines, including the famous Paquet Company, began serving the port as early as 1862, increasing trade.

• By 1866, Casablanca’s population had surged to 80,000, with a significant European presence.

The Lyautey Vision

A defining figure in Casablanca’s transformation was General Hubert Lyautey, the French Resident-General of Morocco. Initially doubted, his ambitious vision to expand the port reshaped Casablanca into the commercial hub we know today. Under his leadership, boulevards, public spaces, and modern infrastructure flourished — a unique blend of Moroccan tradition and European modernity.

Iconic Landmarks

• Hassan II Mosque – The world’s second-largest mosque, built dramatically on the Atlantic with a 210-meter-high minaret.

• Art Deco District – Boulevards lined with 1920s French and Spanish architecture, including the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

• La Corniche – Casablanca’s seafront promenade, dotted with restaurants and nightclubs, where the ocean is best admired at sunset.

The Pulse of the City

Casablanca is raw, modern, and unapologetically alive. Traffic fills the avenues, horns echo, and daring motorcyclists weave through cars. It may not be Morocco’s most picturesque city, but its vitality — its constant motion — is its identity.

Modern Dining in Casablanca

• Al Mounia – Traditional Moroccan cuisine in a riad setting.

• La Bavaroise – A French brasserie beloved for decades.

• Le Relais de Paris – A benchmark for refined dining in the city.

Marrakech: The Ochre City of Splendor

If Casablanca is Morocco’s energy, Marrakech is its heritage. Nestled at the base of the Atlas Mountains, this city was once an the imperial capital, a spiritual center, and a cultural muse for nearly a thousand years. And you can feel it!

History & Heritage

• Founded in 1070 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, Marrakech soon became the capital of the Almohad Empire.

• The city’s red sandstone walls, built by Ali ibn Yusuf in 1122–23, gave Marrakech its enduring nickname: The Red City.

• After periods of decline, Marrakech flourished again in the 16th century as the Saadian dynasty’s capital. Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur constructed the El Badi Palace (1578), a masterpiece of Moroccan power and artistry.

• By the late 16th century, Marrakech was also a pilgrimage site for Sufi saints and scholars.

Marrakech in the Global Imagination

In 1943, Winston Churchill persuaded Franklin Roosevelt to visit Marrakech after the Casablanca Conference, calling it “the most lovely spot in the whole world.” Churchill immortalized the city in his paintings of Atlas Mountain sunsets, which remain some of his most famous works.

Throughout the 20th century, Marrakech became a magnet for creatives: Hitchcock filmed The Man Who Knew Too Much here, Charlie Chaplin strolled its gardens, and designers like Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Balmain made the city their second home.

La Mamounia: Elegance Eternal

Built in 1922 by architects Prost and Marchisio, La Mamounia Hotel seamlessly blended Moroccan architecture with Art Deco style. Expanded throughout the 1940s and 1950s, it became a symbol of luxury and celebrity. Its guest book, signed by leaders and artists alike, is a living archive of Marrakech’s global allure.

Essaouira: The Seaside Haven

Where Marrakech pulses with energy, Essaouira breathes calm. A coastal city with whitewashed walls and sea winds, Essaouira offers balance — slower rhythms, spiritual energy, and a unique connection between Africa and Europe.

Origins & Planned Design

• Built in the 18th century by French engineer Théodore Cornut, who graduated from the prestigious École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées.

• Commissioned by Sultan Mohammed III, Essaouira became Morocco’s first city designed with architectural plans, earning its name — Essaouira, meaning “the well-drawn.”

• Mohammed III, who corresponded with George Washington, used Essaouira as a strategic trading hub and encouraged Jewish settlement by offering permanent advantages.

A Hub of Trade & Culture

• Caravan Routes: Mohammed III linked trade routes from Mali to Essaouira, connecting gold, ivory, salt, and enslaved people to the Atlantic world.

• Jewish Heritage: Essaouira once housed more Jews than Muslims, serving as a cosmopolitan commercial center nicknamed “the port of Timbuktu.”

• Roman Legacy: Mogador Island was a purple dye factory for Roman senators’ robes, while Portuguese fortresses later dotted the coast.

Modern-Day Essaouira

• Known for its steady trade winds, the city attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers.

• The Gnaoua World Music Festival celebrates Morocco’s African and Sufi roots, drawing global audiences.

• In popular culture, Essaouira’s ramparts stood in for Astapor in Game of Thrones, cementing its cinematic allure.

• With around 80,000 residents (as of 2014), Essaouira balances history, relaxation, and creative spirit.

Why These Cities Matter

Together, these three cities reflect Morocco’s layered identity:

• Casablanca: A city of ambition, shaped by colonial expansion and reborn as Morocco’s modern hub.

• Marrakech: A city of legacy, where empires rose and artists continue to find inspiration.

• Essaouira: A city of balance, designed for trade but remembered for its serenity and spiritual energy.

They are not just destinations — they are living testaments to Morocco’s spirit: resilience, artistry, and renewal.

Plan Your Moroccan Journey

Morocco offers a lot more than travel, and if you are drawn to it, we'd happily send you our internal travel guide that will include a google map of our favorite places in the entire country. We invite you to experience a different kind of connection — to history  intertwined with Amazigh, Arab, African, and European influence.

Come experience one of the oldest rhythms of nature and humanity.

email naima@themoorishmuse.com with "Guide' to receive our free guide to your email.