Casablanca in 5 days

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.

Day 1, Get oriented

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

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.

Eat: Grilled Atlantic seafood on the corniche

Day 2, Iconic sights

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

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'.

Eat: Moroccan tagine and couscous (Fridays)

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

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

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.

Eat: Pastilla (savoury-sweet pastry pie)

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Gauthier, Trendy, leafy district with cafes, boutiques and the city's best modern dining.

Morning: Cathedrale du Sacre-Coeur, a derelict white Art Deco church you can climb for rooftop views.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Gauthier, Trendy, leafy district with cafes, boutiques and the city's best modern dining.

Evening: La Sqala, a garden cafe inside an old fortified bastion.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Mint tea and Moroccan pastries

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Old Medina, The small original walled quarter near the port - gritty, atmospheric and good for a wander by day.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Old Medina, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Old Medina, The small original walled quarter near the port - gritty, atmospheric and good for a wander by day.

Evening: Dinner at Grilled Atlantic seafood on the corniche, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Old Medina.

Eat: Grilled Atlantic seafood on the corniche

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.

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.

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