Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, and with its location on the Atlantic Ocean, an important port and economic center. The former French colony is an interesting mix — the Old Medina area was destroyed by the French but has undergone some restoration, while the French designed ‘New Town as a model city, with wide boulevards radiating south and east from United Nations Square. The situation for running in Casablanca is also a mix: there’s a lot of congestion and poor air quality, so we recommend sticking to the waterfront, and some select streets and neighborhoods that we’ve researched. Note: locals suggest dressing modestly, and avoiding isolated areas for jogging at night or running with a companion.
The best places to run in Casablanca are centered around nearly 13 km of paths along the Atlantic Ocean and numerous beaches. We’ve also designed a ‘runseeing‘ tour that incorporates the most runnable of New Town’s wide boulevards, as well the city’s largest parks and squares. The Bouskoura Forest, located 20 km east, is referred to as Casablanca’s ‘lungs’ and has numerous paths and trails. The best neighborhoods for running are Oasis, Anfa, and Quartier Californie. And for more waterfront running, we recommend Tamaris, 30 km south of Casablanca.
We should mention that the weather for running in Casablanca is great year-round, with mild winters and warm but not overly hot summers. Air quality can be a factor, however. For transport, there are three tram lines, plus an extensive bus system.
