Casablanca, Morocco travel guide

Morocco's modern metropolis - Art Deco, ocean mosque, and the country's real economic heart.

Best time to visit: April-June and September-November
Average daily budget: $45 to $90 USD
Ideal trip length: 1 to 2 days

Casablanca isn't the Morocco of postcards - it's the country's business engine, a sprawling Atlantic city of Art Deco facades, French-colonial boulevards and one of the world's largest mosques rising over the sea. Most travellers fly in and dash to Marrakech, but Joy Plus makes the most of a focused day or two: the Hassan II Mosque on a guided slot, the faded Art Deco downtown, and a seafood lunch on the corniche.

Casablanca itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Hassan II Mosque. One of the largest mosques on Earth, partly over the ocean. Take the guided tour - one of few open to non-Muslims in Morocco.

Afternoon: Explore Centre Ville, The Art Deco and French-colonial downtown - faded grandeur, cafes and Mohammed V square.

Evening: Corniche sunset and seafood. Watch the Atlantic light fade with grilled fish at an Ain Diab restaurant.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: Art Deco downtown walk. 1930s facades around Boulevard Mohammed V and the restored Marche Central.

Afternoon: Explore Corniche (Ain Diab), The seafront strip with restaurants, beach clubs and sunset views over the Atlantic.

Evening: Quartier Habous. Browse for Moroccan crafts, olives and pastries in a calmer, photogenic 'new medina'.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Rick's Cafe, a loving recreation of the film's bar - touristy but fun for a drink.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Habous (New Medina), A 1920s French-built 'medina' with arches, bookshops and craft stalls - calmer than old medinas.

Evening: Villa des Arts, a free Art Deco mansion gallery of Moroccan modern art.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Centre Ville: The Art Deco and French-colonial downtown - faded grandeur, cafes and Mohammed V square.
Corniche (Ain Diab): The seafront strip with restaurants, beach clubs and sunset views over the Atlantic.
Habous (New Medina): A 1920s French-built 'medina' with arches, bookshops and craft stalls - calmer than old medinas.
Gauthier: Trendy, leafy district with cafes, boutiques and the city's best modern dining.
Old Medina: The small original walled quarter near the port - gritty, atmospheric and good for a wander by day.

Must-do experiences

Hassan II Mosque: One of the largest mosques on Earth, partly over the ocean. Take the guided tour - one of few open to non-Muslims in Morocco.
Art Deco downtown walk: 1930s facades around Boulevard Mohammed V and the restored Marche Central.
Quartier Habous: Browse for Moroccan crafts, olives and pastries in a calmer, photogenic 'new medina'.
Corniche sunset and seafood: Watch the Atlantic light fade with grilled fish at an Ain Diab restaurant.

Hidden gems

Rick's Cafe, a loving recreation of the film's bar - touristy but fun for a drink.
Villa des Arts, a free Art Deco mansion gallery of Moroccan modern art.
Cathedrale du Sacre-Coeur, a derelict white Art Deco church you can climb for rooftop views.
La Sqala, a garden cafe inside an old fortified bastion.

Daily budget

$45 to $90 USD per day.

What to eat

Grilled Atlantic seafood on the corniche
Moroccan tagine and couscous (Fridays)
Pastilla (savoury-sweet pastry pie)
Mint tea and Moroccan pastries

Getting around

Use the tramway for cheap, easy north-south trips, and ride apps like Careem or petits taxis (insist on the meter) for everything else. The city is spread out, so don't plan to walk between districts. The Hassan II Mosque, downtown and corniche each cluster their own attractions.

Safety

Casablanca is generally safe, with pickpocketing and persistent touts the main nuisances rather than serious crime. Dress modestly, agree taxi fares or insist on meters, and keep an eye on belongings in crowds and markets. Solo female travellers should expect some attention and dress conservatively, especially away from tourist areas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Casablanca worth visiting?

For a day or two, yes - mainly for the spectacular Hassan II Mosque and the Art Deco architecture, which you won't find elsewhere in Morocco. It's a modern working city rather than a tourist showpiece, so set expectations: it's a worthwhile stop, not a substitute for Marrakech or Fes.

How many days do you need in Casablanca?

One full day is enough to see the highlights - the Hassan II Mosque, the downtown Art Deco loop, the Habous quarter and a corniche dinner. A second day lets you slow down or use the city as a comfortable base for a day trip to Rabat, just an hour away.

Can you enter the Hassan II Mosque?

Yes - it's one of the very few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, but only on guided tours at set times (no entry during prayers). Buy a ticket and join a scheduled tour; dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, and you'll see the stunning interior and basement hammam.

Is Casablanca safe for tourists?

Generally yes, with normal city precautions. Petty theft, pickpocketing and aggressive touts are the main issues, not violent crime. Keep valuables secure in crowds, use metered taxis or ride apps, dress modestly, and you'll find Casablanca straightforward to visit.

How do you get from Casablanca to Marrakech?

The easiest way is the train - a comfortable, scenic ride of around three hours connecting the two cities several times a day. Trains also link Casablanca to Rabat (one hour) and Fes, making it a practical hub for getting around Morocco without driving.

What is the best time to visit Casablanca?

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-November) offer warm, pleasant days and cool Atlantic breezes. Summer is hot and humid but tempered by the coast, while winters are mild and rainy. The ocean keeps temperatures milder than inland cities like Marrakech year-round.

Is Casablanca expensive?

It's affordable by Western standards but pricier than smaller Moroccan cities, especially for corniche dining and international hotels. Street food, tagines and tram rides are cheap, while upscale seafood restaurants and beach clubs cost more. A comfortable day runs $45 to $90.

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