Overview
Casablanca is Morocco's beating economic heart, a sprawling coastal metropolis where Art Deco architecture lines the boulevards, the Atlantic breeze rolls in off the water, and the call to prayer echoes across one of the most beautiful mosques on earth. It tends to get overlooked by travellers rushing south to Marrakech or north to Chefchaouen, but that's precisely what makes it so rewarding. This is Morocco as Moroccans actually live it — busy, proud, modern, and layered with history.
With a population of around 4 million, Casa (as locals call it) is a city that rewards slow exploration. The medina here is far less touristy than Fez or Marrakech, prices are more grounded in reality, and you're just as likely to sit beside a local architect as a tour group in the city's famous cafés. It's cosmopolitan without being polished for export, and that's exactly its charm.
Top 10 Things To Do in Casablanca
- Visit Hassan II Mosque: This is non-negotiable. The third-largest mosque in the world sits dramatically on a promontory over the Atlantic, and guided tours for non-Muslims run daily (except Fridays). Expect to pay around $14 USD for a ticket. Come at golden hour for unforgettable light on the tilework.
- Explore the Old Medina: Unlike Morocco's more famous medinas, Casablanca's old quarter is compact, navigable, and refreshingly low-pressure. Wander through Rue Chakib Arsalane, browse leather goods and spices, and stop for a mint tea without being followed by touts. Morning is the best time to visit.
- Walk the Corniche: The coastal promenade stretching through the Ain Diab neighbourhood is where Casablancans come to jog, stroll, and socialise. It's lined with beach clubs, seafood restaurants, and ocean views. Free to walk, and worth doing at dusk.
- Discover Art Deco Architecture: The downtown area around Place des Nations Unies and Boulevard Mohammed V is an open-air museum of 1930s French colonial Art Deco. Look up — the facades are extraordinary. A self-guided walking tour takes about 90 minutes and costs nothing.
- Eat at the Central Market (Marché Central): Pick your fish from the stalls, hand it to one of the surrounding restaurants, and they'll cook it for you on the spot. Fresh, affordable (around $8–12 USD a plate), and completely delicious. Go for lunch when it's busiest.
- Have a Coffee at Café Maure: Located inside the Old Medina near the sea walls, this laid-back spot serves excellent Moroccan coffee and pastries overlooking the water. It's a local favourite and a perfect mid-morning pause.
- Visit the Villa des Arts: This beautifully restored Art Deco villa in the Racine neighbourhood hosts rotating contemporary Moroccan art exhibitions. Admission is around $3 USD and it's one of the most underrated cultural stops in the city.
- Explore the Quartier Habous (New Medina): Built by the French in the 1930s as a planned Moroccan quarter, Habous blends European town planning with traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. The patisseries here sell some of the best almond-filled sweets in the country. Budget $5–10 USD and graze your way through.
- Day Trip to El Jadida: Just 60 miles south of Casablanca, this coastal town is home to a stunning UNESCO-listed Portuguese cistern and fortified medina. Buses run frequently from the CTM station and cost around $4 USD each way.
- Watch the Sunset from the Phare d'El Hank: The lighthouse at the southern end of the Corniche offers some of the best sunset views over the Atlantic in the city. It's a local spot rather than a tourist attraction, which makes it all the better.
Practical Tips
- The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). At the time of writing, roughly 10 MAD equals $1 USD. ATMs are plentiful downtown and at the airport.
- Petite taxis (small red cabs) are metered and cheap — most rides within the city centre cost $2–4 USD. Agree on the meter before setting off, or use Careem (the region's Uber equivalent) for fixed pricing.
- Dress modestly when visiting mosques or the medina. A light layer over the shoulders goes a long way in showing respect and avoiding unwanted attention.
- The Racine, Gauthier, and Maarif neighbourhoods are the best areas to base yourself — central, walkable, and full of good restaurants and cafés.
- French is widely spoken alongside Arabic. A few words of French will open doors that English alone won't.
Getting There
Casablanca is served by Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), located about 19 miles southeast of the city centre. It's Morocco's busiest hub and well connected internationally. Direct flights operate from New York JFK (around 7.5 hours), London Heathrow (3.5 hours), Paris CDG (2.5 hours), and multiple other European and North American cities via Royal Air Maroc and major carriers including Air France, British Airways, and Iberia.
Plan your trip to Casablanca
From the airport, the train (Al Bidaoui) is the smartest option — it runs directly to Casa Voyageurs station in the city centre every 30 minutes and costs around $5 USD. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes.
Accommodation Options
- Budget ($30–60/