Casablanca

Why visit Casablanca

Casablanca is where Moroccans actually live, work, and shop. It's a modern Atlantic port city, not a tourist destination. Most travelers spend 1 day here, see the Hassan II Mosque, eat at a serious restaurant, and move on. That's the right amount.

Who it's for

• Layover
• Business travelers
• Modern Morocco

Neighborhoods

• Maarif

  Modern shopping and restaurant district. Where you'll eat.

• Anfa

  Wealthy seaside neighborhood. Art Deco villas, La Corniche promenade.

• Old medina

  Underwhelming compared to Marrakech/Fes. Skip unless you have hours to kill.

Top experiences

• Hassan II Mosque

  One of the largest mosques in the world, the only one in Morocco non-Muslims can enter. Guided tour 130 MAD, 1 hour. Modest dress required.

• La Corniche

  Atlantic promenade, cafés, modern restaurants, sunset walks.

• Rick's Café

  Themed restaurant in honor of the film. Touristy but the cocktails and piano are real. Reservation needed.

• Habous quarter

  1930s neo-traditional district with small shops, cleaner and easier than the old medina.

Know before you go

• ★ The famous film 'Casablanca' was filmed in Hollywood, not here.
• ★ Don't expect medina charm. Casa is a real working city, skyscrapers, traffic jams, business attire.
• ★ Mosque tours stop at 4 PM (3 PM in winter). Plan accordingly.
• ★ Most flights to/from Morocco connect through Casablanca's CMN.