Casablanca is often the first city on the itinerary when visiting Morocco, with international flights landing here from all over the world.
This enormous city is a hub of industry and home to around 4 million people. Drawing on decades of experience guiding travellers through wondrous Morocco, we’ve collated the sites, scenes and experiences most loved in Casablanca into one place for easy trip planning.
9 Must-Do Experiences in Casablanca
Here’s what to see and do over 24 hours in Casablanca:
Visit Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque was built in 1993. Its minaret is the tallest in the world, rising 210m into the sky. A laser at the top of the sixty-storey tower shines directly towards Mecca.
The mosque is named after the Moroccan King Hassan II and was built to mark his 60th birthday. It was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau with hand-carved ceilings, elaborate tiles, marble floors and Venetian stained glass windows. Modern touches include heated floors and a retractable roof.
Visit at sunset or sunrise to capture the delicate light reflecting from the marble as the mosque displays its full glory. Positioned at the seafront, a glass-floored terrace provides a window to the ocean washing over the rocks below.
To enter the mosque, women must cover their hair, so bring a scarf and wear clothing that covers the shoulders and knees.
Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca, Morocco by Zoe Francis
Tour the French Quartier Habous (New Medina)
French Quartier Habous, Casablanca, Morocco by Sacha Bunnik
Known as ‘the New Medina’, Quartier Habous is found in the southeastern area of Casablanca. It’s an easy place to spend a day or half a day. The streets are lined with tea shops, bazaars and monumental buildings, including the United Nations Palace, Mohammed V Square, Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral and the Mahakama of the Pasha. Tree-lined squares, tidy alleyways and elegant arcades contain a mixture of French colonial buildings and traditional Maghrebi architecture.
The Mahakama of the Pasha is a stunning 1950s administrative building sometimes open to the public. If the timing is right, visitors can enter and explore the intricate Stucco work, carved wooden ceilings and walls decorated with beautiful Moroccan-style geometric tilework known as ‘zellige’.
The souks in Quartier Habous close around 8 pm, so there’s plenty of time to browse and shop for leather goods and handicrafts in the evening.
Rick’s Cafe
This cafe replicates the atmosphere of the well-known 1942 film ‘Casablanca’, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The cafe was founded by former American diplomat Kathy Kriger, opening in 2004 in a converted house in the ‘old city’.
Inside is a grand piano where French, Spanish and Brazilian music is played — visitors might be lucky and hear the famous song “As Time Goes By” from the movie. There are four fireplaces, curved arches, balconies and elaborate lighting. This elegant and ambient cafe is a delight to enter.
The cafe serves a range of dishes, including traditional Moroccan cuisine. Taste Essaouira-style beef kefta tagine, sip a signature cocktail, and of course, finish the meal with a slice of Rick’s now-famous cheesecake. Perfection!
The Old Medina
The Old Medina of Casablanca is between the Hassan II Mosque and the port. Casablanca’s old city is laid out in a more structured way than those of Fez or Marrakesh. Lining the streets and alleys are food stalls, vintage finds, carved wooden statues and just about any memento or local food that can be imagined.
United Nations Square
The United Nations Square is an example of elegant urban planning by Joseph Marrast, in 1920. The centrepiece is a striking fountain, surrounded by neat gardens of flowers and rows of office buildings.
It’s one of the busiest public squares in Casablanca. A steel lattice cupola marks the pedestrian underpass, where the main roads of the city intersect.
Notre Dame de Lourdes Church
A short walk from the United Nations Square is the 1950s concrete building of one of two Catholic churches in Casablanca. Don’t be fooled by the austere exterior — inside stained glass windows fill the interior with colour.
These exquisite stained glass windows were created by French glass blower Gabriel Loire and feature images of the Virgin Mary.
Dine on traditional Moroccan food
Casablanca is the perfect place to dine on freshly caught seafood. Meals are often served with warm bread and olives, and tagines are a blend of vegetables, meat and couscous in perfect proportion.
Savoury hummus and lentil soup are great vegetarian options. Be adventurous and try new flavour combinations like lemon and olive — finishing with mint tea to cleanse the palate.
Spend time at the port along the coast
Casablanca is the primary port city of Morocco and its economic capital, so the ocean is integral to the lives of local people. Along the coast, visitors can glimpse the daily routine of fishermen and the trades that keep the city going.
Explore architecture along Ain Diab Esplanade
Ain Diab is a walkway, or ‘corniche’, along the ocean — the ideal place to relax, and enjoy the sounds of the sea while people-watching. It’s stunning in summer or winter.
Cafes along the path provide refreshments, there are ocean pools for bathing, and in fine weather, umbrellas dot the sand. Ain Diab Esplanade is a place to witness stunning orange sunsets and enjoy the holiday vibes of the coast.
Explore the port city of Casablanca — the gateway to the wonders of Morocco
Visiting vibrant Casablanca is so much more enjoyable when the experience is shared — and what better way than to join a small group tour of Morocco with like-minded travellers?
Discover everything that Morocco has to offer on a luxury tour, supported by expert guides, comfortable transport and a considerately curated itinerary that includes both the top sights and the hidden gems of this African country.
Hassan II Mosque interior, Casablanca, Morocco by Dennis Bunnik
Questions about Casablanca
How can I best experience the local culture in Casablanca?
Make sure to visit the port — historically, Casablanca’s economy thrived on the fishing industry and this is still an integral part of the city today. Visit the Old Medina, take the time to engage with local vendors, and be adventurous about trying local food, including pastries like ‘kaab el ghazal’ (gazelle horns), from a bakery.
Are there any hidden gems in Casablanca that tourists often miss?
Little Senegal is a Senegalese neighbourhood in Casablanca that’s not on the beaten tourist track. Narrow alleys are lined with shops where locals can do everything from buying food and clothing to getting a haircut. This cultural pocket provides a glimpse into West African culture, values and heritage.
Is one day enough for Casablanca?
In one day visitors can see the main attractions of Casablanca efficiently, making more time for Morocco’s smaller towns and fascinating historical sites. This big city is a concrete jungle, so prioritise the coast, medinas and sites like the stunning Hassan II Mosque.