What to see in Casablanca: Villa des Arts

Looking for the perfect place for a romantic date? Forget all the coffee shops and snob terraces, bring your date to the Villa des Arts for an special meeting that will last in your memories: "in our first date, Mustapha took me to a museum", sounds better to me than "we went to starbucks". Villa des Arst is a heavenly place in the very center of Casablanca, and they usually have on show nice exhibitions...and barely anyone looking at them. Split in two floors, this old Art Deco house, that dates from 1934, has also a permanent cute collection, and belongs now to the ONA Foundation. The place promotes contemporary art and other purposes, if you want you can even rent it for a party in the most pure Gatsby style. The garden is specially peaceful and we miss not having a little coffee shop on the side which be truly amazing. The entry is free and makes a good stop for tourists and residents alike.

30 boulevard Brahim Roudani Rue Abou El Kacem Chabi, الدار البيضاء 20000, Marruecos

Tel:+212 22295087

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New Favourite Terrace...Hotel Bellerive

Casamood keeps unfolding the secrets of Casablanca so you can enjoy the best places without the disappointment of the bad ones. This time we where searching for the perfect place to have a coffee in the sun, maybe even a light bite, and the same propositions arose: Paul Villa Zevaco, Cafe Blanca, Le Cabestan...and that's about it. So posh places, expensive prices, judgmental stares..Not what we were in the mood for. The terrace of Mc Donald's are really good, you even get a seaview but the kids and the smell of chemical food don't really go with our lifestyle. Along the Corniche there are a few, including Venezia Ice, Luigi and Gossip, but you cant really tan and we like all the vitamins the sun can give us, so we decided to try the terrace of the Hotel Bellerive, an outdated Hotel from light years ago that I'm sure could be the perfect place to rent rooms for hours with your lover if this was something admitted in Morocco. Because the decoration of the Hotel is so harmful for your eyes we entered the café by the alley on the side and what we got there...what a surprise, clean old school tables with comfy chairs and a great little view on the sea and a manicured grass like I've never seen one in Morocco. The terrace is big and airy and you can choose if you prefer to stay on the sun or under a sunshade. Not many clients even if it was a Saturday around 13h30, a few ex-pats, one Moroccan family, us and a couple of very kind and smiley waiters that probably saw the foundations of the place. There is not even a menu, just the usual: café, orange juice, mint tea...and alcohol. Alcohol? Yes alcohol on a terrace looking at the sea: beer at 40dh, bottle of wine starting at 110dhs, and God knows what else, probably even a Bacardi Cola if you ask. They also have a grill that serves very good brochettes and not bad pizzas (not really Italian, but tasty). The conclusion? We stayed for almost the rest of the day until it became cold... and we came back the next day. And if you ask me, I'm sure I will come back tomorrow with my book. A total 10 for popular chic. Please Hotel Bellerive, stay as you are, wrinkles are beautiful.

38, Boulevard de la Corniche, 20180 Casablanca, Morocco

+212 5 22 79 75 04 

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Jardin Val d'Anfa...the safest park option

If you have ever lived in a city the likes of London, Paris, New York or Budapest its more than likely that you are familiar with Hyde Park, Le Park Monceau, Central Park and Margaret Island, all havens of peace and calm that recharge your batteries after a hard works day. Ever since I arrived to Casablanca I tried to find a similar spot...unsuccessfully, Le Park de la Ligue Arabe could be an amazing place, but is neglected and derelict so not really inviting. And then one day I found this little park, Le Jardin Val d'Anfa; it has green grass and big trees, a little space for children -but actually used by some Rocky's wanna be training all day long- and benches were you can sit and relax and read a good book. The park is mainly used by the local domestics of the area, but it feels safe and no one bothers you. You can totally bring a blanket and lay down with some sandwiches enjoying the terrific sun of Morocco.

Boulevard Franklin Roosevelt avec Avenue de Temara

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Eglise Sacré Coeur de Casablanca...an unusual Art space

The former Cathedral of Casablanca is not your usual temple. It was built in 1930 in some neo-gothic-deco style that is not completely unpleasant for the eye and reminds for some reason the pure white churches that you find in some Greek islands. With the independence of Morocco in 1956 the building ceased all religious functions and became a cultural center where regular exhibitions are held in a space like no other. The interior is neglected yet charming, worth a visit also because is situated in the quiet Parque de la Ligue Arabe, which is also neglected and derelict, but with some rebel trees that refuse to die. Entrance is free. 

Parque de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca, Morocco

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Paul Villa Zevaco

If you like the idea to see and – specially- be seen under the x-rays of all the ladies-who-lunch and that maybe are looking also for a lover or a second husband just go to Paul Villa Zevaco around 17h to have a coffee or an overpriced orange juice. Lodged in the imposing house of the famous Zevaco architect, Paul is at the same time a bakery, a pastry shop, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a garden. The fireplace room is perfect for the rainy days but the exterior seating is perfect all year round thanks to the mild Casablanca weather. The place is centrally located and makes an easy meeting point with plenty of parking space for your Panamera. It feels better than any Venezia Ice and its undoubtedly the starting place for any respectable wannabe social celebrity. Unfortunately (or maybe thanks God) they do not serve alcohol. The food is not great either, so better stick to sweets and juices.

Boulevard Abdelkrim El Khattabi et Boulevard Moulay Rachid, Anfa , 40000, Casablanca, Maroc

tel.+212 5 22 36 60 00

http://www.paul.ma

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