Written by the Journey Via Morocco team in Marrakech. Opening days and visiting times change; check them shortly before you go.
After Casablanca, most travellers head south on one of our Morocco tours to Marrakech and the Merzouga desert.
Is Casablanca worth visiting? Yes, for a day. Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and its main international gateway. The main things to do in Casablanca fit into one day: tour the Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic, walk the old medina and the Quartier Habous, see the Art Deco buildings around Place Mohammed V and finish with sunset on the Corniche at Ain Diab. Most travellers spend a day here at the start or end of a longer Morocco trip.
This guide to the best things to do in Casablanca covers the places worth your time, a practical one-day plan and how Casablanca fits into a tour of the rest of the country.
The Hassan II Mosque
The city’s landmark stands on the ocean’s edge, with one of the tallest minarets in the world. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslim visitors can enter, on guided tours that usually run from Saturday to Thursday, with no tourist tours on Fridays. Take one of the first tours of the morning, then walk the esplanade and the promenade beside it. Our Hassan II Mosque visitor guide covers tour days, dress and what you see inside.
Quartier Habous and the Royal Palace
The Quartier Habous, or New Medina, was built in the first half of the twentieth century in a traditional style, with arcaded streets, bookshops, olive sellers and pastry shops. It is calmer than the old medina and a good place to shop for books, crafts and sweets. The walls of the Royal Palace run alongside it; the palace is not open to visitors, but its gates are worth a look.
Place Mohammed V and Art Deco downtown
Central Casablanca was largely built in the early twentieth century, and its streets are lined with Art Deco and Moorish-revival buildings. Start at Place Mohammed V, framed by grand administrative buildings, then walk along the boulevards towards the Central Market, where stalls sell fish, fruit, flowers and olives. The Parc de la Ligue Arabe, a large city park, is a short walk away.
The old medina and the Sqala
Casablanca’s old medina is small and residential compared with Fes or Marrakech, but it is worth a short walk. On its seaward side, the Sqala is an old fortified bastion facing the port. The area makes a good late-morning stop after the mosque.
The Corniche and Ain Diab
West of the mosque, the Corniche runs along the ocean through Ain Diab, with beaches, cafes, restaurants and the Morocco Mall at the far end. Come in the late afternoon, when locals walk the promenade and the sun sets over the Atlantic. For more ideas, see the Moroccan National Tourist Office’s Casablanca guide.
More things to do in Casablanca
- Museum of Moroccan Judaism: in the Oasis district, a museum of the history and heritage of Morocco’s Jewish communities. Read more in our guide to Morocco for Jewish travellers.
- Anfa: the residential hillside district with villas and leafy streets, often seen on a driving tour.
- Rick’s Café: a restaurant styled on the bar in the 1942 film Casablanca, by the walls of the old medina. Booking is a good idea in the evening.
A one-day Casablanca itinerary
This plan fits the main things to do in Casablanca into a single day, starting early to catch one of the first mosque tours and finishing by the ocean at sunset.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Morning | Guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque, then the esplanade and promenade |
| Late morning | The old medina and the Sqala bastion |
| Lunch | Seafood near the port or a cafe in the centre |
| Afternoon | Quartier Habous, the Royal Palace gates, then Place Mohammed V and the Central Market |
| Sunset | The Corniche at Ain Diab |
Practical tips
- Getting around: petit taxis are the easiest way to move between areas; the tram covers parts of the city. With a private driver, a full day of sightseeing is straightforward.
- Safety: Casablanca is a large, busy city; read our guide to whether Casablanca is safe for the areas visitors use and taxi tips.
- Weather: mild all year, with most rain between November and March; see Casablanca weather by month.
- Fridays: plan the mosque tour for another day if you want to go inside as a non-Muslim visitor.
- Early tour start: if your tour begins the next morning, stay in the centre or near your pickup point so the drive out of the city is short.
Starting a Morocco tour in Casablanca
Most international flights arrive at Mohammed V Airport, so Casablanca is a natural first or last day. Our 5-day imperial cities tour from Casablanca includes many of these things to do in Casablanca on its first and last days, from the Hassan II Mosque to the Habous quarter, the Central Market, Place Mohammed V and Anfa, with Rabat, Meknes, Volubilis and Fes in between. If you are deciding where to begin, read whether to start in Marrakech or Casablanca, and for the next leg, see Casablanca to Marrakech and Casablanca to Fes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Casablanca worth visiting?
Yes, for a day. The Hassan II Mosque, the Quartier Habous, the Art Deco centre and the Corniche make a full and varied day, and the city is the main gateway for flights to Morocco.
How many days do you need in Casablanca?
One day is enough for the main sights. Many travellers spend their arrival or departure day in Casablanca and then travel on to Rabat, Fes, Marrakech or the Sahara.
Can tourists go inside the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes. Non-Muslim visitors can enter on guided tours, which usually run from Saturday to Thursday. There are no tourist tours on Fridays.
What is the best area to walk in Casablanca?
The Quartier Habous, the streets around Place Mohammed V and the Corniche at Ain Diab are the most pleasant areas to walk.
Is Casablanca a good place to start a Morocco tour?
Yes. Casablanca has the country’s main international airport and good roads north to Rabat, Fes and Tangier and south to Marrakech.
Spend a day in Casablanca on a private tour
Start or end your trip with a day in Casablanca on our 5-day cultural tour from Casablanca, or compare all our tours from Casablanca, from 5 to 16 days. Send us your dates and we will plan the route with you.