Casablanca, or “Casa” as it is often referred to, is the largest city in Morocco. It has a population of more than five million people. It is considered to be the economic and business heart of the country. While many people visit for business or just passing through, Casablanca has a lot more to offer than first meets the eye.

With a beautiful coastline, one of the most magnificent mosques in all of Morocco, and mouthwatering restaurant options, you’ll have a wonderful time exploring the city that was the muse for its namesake 1942 romantic classic. Check out our top 8 things to do in Casablanca so you hit all of the highlights of the city!

Preparing for your Trip to Casablanca

Know Before You Go

• The currency in Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (Dhs). At the time of writing (January of 2018) the conversion rate was about 10 Dhs to $1 USD. We’ll be referring to costs in Dirham. Keep in mind that if we say something costs 100 Dhs, that’s just about $10 USD.
• Morocco offers a 3-month tourist visa on arrival for citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, members of the EU, Australia, and New Zealand. 
• There are a number of languages spoken in Morocco. The two official languages are Modern Standard Arabic and Amazigh (Berber). The second language for most Moroccans is French. You’ll also find that many people speak at least a little English.
• Learn a few phrases in Arabic to get around! “Al Salam Alaikum” (pronounced sall-em wall-a-come) is a nice way to say “hello”. “Shukran” (pronounced shoo kran) is “thank you”. “Ma’-Elsalama” (pronounced ma sell lem-a) is “goodbye”. If you would prefer to speak in French, “Bonjour” is “hello”, “Merci” is “thank you” and “S’il Vous Plaît” is “please”.
• A 10% tip is commonplace when dining out. However, make sure that a service charge hasn’t been added to your bill.
• 93% of the population of Morocco is considered to be religious with Islam being not only the primary religion but also the established state religion in the country. As with most conservative countries, women are expected to cover their knees and shoulders when venturing out of the house. That being said, Casablanca is a more progressive city in the country. You’re likely to see young people more scantly clad than you might expect.
• In general, non-Muslims are not allowed to visit mosques around Morocco. One of the few exceptions to the rule is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. Here, you can wander around the courtyard or pay to take a tour of the inside (details below).
• Some Moroccans prefer not to be photographed due to religious reasons that are referred to as aniconism in Islam. Be sure to ask before snapping any photos of Moroccans and don’t be surprised if they say “no”.

Best Time to Visit the City of Casablanca

Casablanca has a moderate climate, so you can visit year-round. July through September are the hottest months of the year with average temperatures in the 80-90°F range. And December through February are the coolest with temperatures hovering around 60°F. November, December, and January can get some rain, however, it is minimal. 

Safety in Casablanca

In general, Morocco is an incredibly safe country and Casablanca is a safe city to visit. However, pickpocketing and scams can be common in big cities. Keep an eye on your wallet and leave additional cash and your passport in your hotel room.

Cell phones are a hot commodity in larger cities in Morocco. Thieves have been known to drive by on their motorbikes, grab the phone out of the victim’s hand, and disappear just as quickly. Be cautious when using the map on your phone to navigate the city.

Getting to Casablanca

• Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is the largest and busiest airport in Morocco and is served by over 30 airlines. Royal Air Maroc offers many inexpensive flight options.
• The ONCF train offers inexpensive, comfortable, and frequent rides all over the country.
• There are two kinds of taxis in Casablanca; Grand taxis are for longer trips and Petit taxis are for getting around the city. Petit taxis are generally red and the cars are very small. You can hail from anywhere. Avoid the taxi drivers that pounce on foreigners as they are exiting the doors of the train station or the airport. Notice that they are not approaching any locals to give them rides (they’re on the prowl for tourists). And be sure that your driver either turns on the meter or that you’ve negotiated a fair rate prior to departing.
• Uber is in Casablanca! If everything in the last bullet point sounds daunting to you, avoid it altogether by opting for an Uber over a taxi. But call it early as there aren’t nearly as many Uber drivers as there are taxis.

What to Pack for Casablanca

Be sure to bring a few long, flowing dresses to dress down for a daytime look or up for a night on the town. While some younger locals may choose to dress more provocatively, most foreigners will likely feel more comfortable if they cover up. Comfortable walking shoes for exploring the city and a crossbody bag with a zip are also Casablanca essentials!

The Top 8 Things to Do in Casablanca

1. Stay in a Lavish Hotel on the Beach

Situated right on the Atlantic ocean and offering stunning views of the sea, the Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca is the perfect retreat from this bustling city. Offering 185 lavish guest rooms including 29 immaculate suites, the hotel is small enough to offer guests a more personalized experience and cater to their every need.

From the moment you step into the stunningly beautiful lobby, you will feel like royalty with the warm, welcoming, and attentive staff. The rooms are spacious and pristine, with modern decor and every luxury you could imagine. Every night you’ll sink into what is quite possibly the most luscious bed you’ve ever slept in. You’ll have to force yourself to get out of it in the morning. But you should as the buffet breakfast is incredible!

The gorgeous heated pool is the perfect place to spend an afternoon basking in the sunshine. And you’re only steps away from the beach if you’d prefer to lounge with your toes in the sand. You’ll never want to leave this lavish 5-star hotel with beautiful coastal views of Casablanca!

2. Visit the Hassan II Mosque

This massive, ostentatious mosque commemorates the former king’s 60th birthday. It took 6 years to build and construction ended in 1993 at an incredible expense (estimated to be about €585,000,000). Accommodating 105,000 total worshipers – 25,000 inside and another 80,000 on the outside grounds. It is one of the largest mosques in the world.

With a 688-foot-tall minaret, the tallest in the world, it is impossible to miss this architectural wonder from miles away. The mosque sits on prime, oceanfront property. The courtyard is constantly teeming with people who are there to worship or just marvel at its beauty.

The courtyard is open to all to visit and it is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. The turquoise marble tiles arranged in classic Islamic patterns shine vibrantly in the sunlight. The Hassan II Mosque is definitely one of the most photogenic locations in Morocco! It’s most certainly the number one thing to do in Casablanca.

3. Have a Drink at Rick’s Cafe

How can you visit Casablanca without a stop at the bar modeled after “Rick’s Café Américain” from the classic movie starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman? The restaurant sits inside the walls of the Old Medina. The details inside of this fabulous mansion are reminiscent of those in the film. A 1930’s piano fills the bar with classic tunes, making you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and onto a movie set!

It’s exactly how the Casablanca movie directors would implore you to experience this beautiful city. By sipping cocktails surrounded by beautiful architecture and serenaded by intoxicating music!

4. Stroll Along The Corniche

The Corniche is an oceanfront neighborhood just south of the Four Seasons Casablanca. It is filled with nightclubs and cafes with views of the ocean. Enjoy a peaceful afternoon stroll along the boardwalk that runs alongside the beach. Soak in the sun and the views. You’ll see local kids playing soccer on the beach and likely be offered a horse ride (for a cost of course).

Stop at one of the cafes for a tea or bring a blanket and lounge in the sand. It’s the perfect respite from the busy city.

5. Try the Delectable Moroccan Cuisine

Casablanca has some truly amazing food options around the city and below are just a few of our favorites.

We loved the ambiance of the Mint at the Four Seasons Casablanca. The terrace has a gorgeous fit pit, comfortable seating areas, and beautiful views of the sea. This is an ideal spot just to lounge and drink tea when you need some time to relax. Be sure to try the assorted briouates and the lamb couscous for an afternoon snack.

Try the rich and delicious seafood risotto at El Barocco Time Casablanca. They also serve alcohol if you are looking for a nice place to imbibe.

Order pumpkin soup as an appetizer and lamb tajine as the main course at La Sqala. Your taste buds will thank you! This pretty garden restaurant is the perfect peaceful stop while wandering around the Old Medina.

For an absolutely divine dining experience and the most amazing seafood in all of Casablanca, visit Bleu at the Four Seasons Casablanca. You’ll be waited on hand and foot while gazing out at the ocean on the gorgeous terrace. Start with the Bleu salad and duo of tacos for an appetizer and the seabass for the main course. For dessert, the rice pudding is sweet, but not too sweet, and the perfect end to a perfect meal.

Head to the Central Market for lunch for fast and fresh seafood while enjoying the sunshine. You can enjoy people watching at the outdoor tables.

6. Shop in The Old and New Medinas of Casablanca

The shopping in Morocco is world-renowned! It’s nearly impossible to walk through one of the many souks all over the country without stopping for a look. Brightly colored blankets and scarves, leather bags of every shape and size, hand painted pottery, intricate metal lamps, and intoxicating spices will have you wishing you had brought another suitcase with you!

Unlike the souks in Marrakech and Fes that primarily cater to tourists, shops in the Old Medina of Casablanca sell anything and everything for locals and tourists alike. You’ll find knockoff designer goods intermixed with futbol jerseys and perfumes. It’s not your typical souk and you’ll probably only see a handful of other tourists.

The New Medina, or Habous Quarter, is a maze of charming alleyways and handicraft shops. You can load up on leather goods, plush rugs and Moroccan clothing. Tourists will find less hassle here than in many of the souks in Morocco. As such, you will have an enjoyable time browsing the wares. Be sure to stop at Patisserie Bennis for the best pastries in all of Casablanca!

Be sure to stop at the Mahkama du Pacha to see Moroccan architecture at its finest. It’s one of the top things to do in Casablanca. Note that if you visit during the week, you’ll need a local guide. We stumbled upon it on a Saturday, paid 50 Dhs/each to the guard, and pretty much had the entire place to ourselves!

7. People Watch at Mohamed V Square

A large fountain sits at the center of this bustling square. Locals gather to watch as the water flows and birds fly overhead. Vendors selling chewy coconut macaroons provide tasty treats for children as they ride on a borrowed toy jeep through the crowd. It’s the perfect place to have a seat and watch the locals doing what they do best in Casablanca – having some good old-fashioned fun with their families!

8. Visit the Interesting Museums

There are several wonderful museums in the city of Casablanca that are worth checking out during your trip. These three were our favorites:

• Museum of Moroccan Judaism – explore the 2000-year history of Jewish people living in Morocco in this beautiful museum. It is especially unique as it is the only Jewish history museum in the Arab world.
• Musée de la Fondation Abderrahman Slaoui – a stunning private collection of Moroccan arts including travel posters, ceramics, furniture, and jewelry.
• Dar El Ala – this museum is perfect for music lovers! Specializing in Moroccan Andalusian music including instruments, art, and performances.

We hope you have enjoyed our comprehensive list of things to do in Casablanca, Morocco!

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