Casablanca surprised us with its energy, history, and cosmopolitan charm. In this guide we share the best things to do in Casablanca — from exploring the Hassan II Mosque and the Habbous Quarter to navigating taxis, money exchange, dining, and where to stay.

A practical and honest first-hand look at Morocco’s most modern city.

Overview

Casablanca, whose name translates to “the white house”, stands as Morocco’s most cosmopolitan and dynamic city.

Walking through its wide boulevards and leafy avenues, you immediately sense its unique blend of European and Arab influences; a legacy shaped by centuries of trade and, more recently, by the era when Casablanca served as the headquarters of French colonial forces.

Today the city feels energetic, youthful, and modern, a true crossroads where tradition and innovation meet.

For us, Casablanca felt like the most alive and contemporary place in Morocco. It’s not a city curated for tourists. Instead, it feels lived-in, confident, and authentic — a place where business, culture, and everyday life knit together seamlessly.

We travelled from Rabat on the Al Boraq high-speed line, a smooth journey of under an hour. We opted for first class again since we enjoyed the comfort on previous trips, particularly appreciating the clean onboard facilities and complimentary water, plus access to the Al Boraq lounge before departure.

Travel to and Around Casablanca

Travelling to Casablanca

Casablanca is exceptionally well connected, whether you arrive by train, coach, or plane.

Arriving by Plane (Casablanca Mohammed V Airport)

Getting to Casablanca is pretty straightforward; most international visitors enter Morocco via Casablanca’s sprawling Mohammed V Airport (IATA: CMN).

Tip: If flying out of Casablanca, allow extra time. Boarding passes often can’t be issued via airline apps because staff need to visually check your hand luggage first.

If you are looking for suitable flight options, make sure to check out the article below with top tips on how to find cheap flights.

Arriving by Train (Al Boraq & ONCF)

The Al Boraq high‑speed network connects Casablanca with major cities like Tangier and Rabat. Regular ONCF trains also serve Marrakech, Fes, and Oujda. First class offers wider seats and cleaner facilities, plus the lounge access we mentioned earlier, which is always a pleasant bonus.

To book your train ticket on the official website, ONCF, you need a VPN and you can only pay in dirhams or you can buy a train ticket in Morocco via 12Go.

Arriving by Coach (CTM & Supratours)

If you’re travelling from cities not linked by high‑speed rail, long‑distance coaches run frequently. CTM and Supratours offer reliable services with air‑conditioning and luggage handling.

Tickets can be purchased online or directly at coach station or you can buy a coach tickets in Morocco via 12Go some suggestions below:

Travelling Around Casablanca

Taxis are the simplest and most efficient way to get around. We didn’t use public transport at all during our visit — taxis were inexpensive, available everywhere, and saved a lot of time.

A ride from Casa Voyageurs station to the Hassan II Mosque cost us 55 dirhams (after a bit of negotiation). Here’s what we learned:

Using inDrive in Casablanca

We relied mostly on inDrive, a ride‑hailing app where you propose your price and drivers respond with their offers. In Casablanca, only licensed taxis use the app due to tight police enforcement — so fares are often double what we paid in other Moroccan cities, but still very affordable.

The app also solves communication issues since many drivers speak little English or French. You can set multi‑stop itineraries too, which helped when we needed to pick up our bags before heading to the airport.

Using Careem in Casablanca

Careem also works well but tends to be 40% more expensive. The advantage is fixed fares and the ability to pay by card.

Staying Connected in Casablanca with Morocco eSIM

For our entire Morocco trip, including Casablanca, we used a Saily eSIM, and it turned out to be one of the easiest travel decisions we made. Installation takes just a minute through their app, and the connection remained stable even as we travelled between cities — we even had signal deep into the desert on our Sahara leg.

One of the biggest advantages is that Saily’s 10 GB plan includes one month of VPN access, which proved useful when booking trains on the ONCF website. Since ONCF isn’t fully accessible outside Morocco, the VPN allowed us to secure tickets at the much lower domestic prices rather than the inflated rates sold by third-party vendors.

Currency – What You Need to Know

Cash is still king in Morocco. While high‑end restaurants may accept cards, around 90% of places — including state museums — take cash only.

Exchanging money outside Morocco is difficult, so plan to exchange locally. In October 2025, for example, the market rate was far better in Morocco than abroad. We exchanged 1 GBP for 8.8 dirhams before arrival, but on Mohamed Zerktouni Boulevard we found exchange houses offering up to 11.9 dirhams.

Our approach was to exchange small amounts every 1–2 days, ensuring we never carried excess cash by the time we left.

Where to Stay in Casablanca?

Casablanca is spread out, but several neighbourhoods work well for visitors:

• Casa Voyageurs / Near the Train Station – Ideal for onward travel. We stayed at Ibis Casa-Voyageurs beside the station and found it practical for catching our next train.
• Maarif & Gauthier – Trendy districts with cafés, restaurants, and shops.
• Corniche / Ain Diab – Seaside hotels and nightlife.

For most travellers, one night in Casablanca is enough, though two nights gives you time to enjoy the nightlife and slower experiences.

A Note on Airbnb Scams

We encountered a scam involving a newly listed Airbnb with great photos and suspiciously low pricing. The address shifted once we arrived — the host redirected us 45 minutes away from the pin shown on Airbnb. It was clearly designed to make guests cancel and lose money under Airbnb’s policy.

Thankfully Airbnb refunded us after we reported it, but as a rule: only book listings with multiple verified reviews.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, we would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com or Trip.com to get the best rates. Use the widget below to find the best accommodation in Casablanca for your specific dates.

We stood at Ibis Casa-Voyageurs which we booked on the spot, following the issue with Airbnb.

Best Time to Visit Casablanca

Casablanca is a year‑round destination. Because it isn’t driven by tourism, the city remains lively regardless of the season. That said, winters bring more rain, while spring and autumn offer warm, comfortable temperatures.

During our November visit, we enjoyed mid‑20s temperatures during the day but also experienced one day of heavy rain — which ultimately pushed us to leave for Marrakesh earlier.

Our Top Things to do in Casablanca

Most attractions open around 10:00 and close at 18:00, with several closed on Tuesdays — helpful when planning your day. If you are short on time, you can also join a

It’s important to note that very few locations accept cards payments, so you will need cash for most with the exception of the Hassan II Mosque.

1. Explore the Magnificent Hassan II Mosque

The Hassan II Mosque is the crown jewel of Casablanca and one of the most impressive things to see in Casablanca. It sits partly on land and partly over the Atlantic Ocean — symbolising the Qur’anic verse that God’s throne was upon the water.

Its minaret, at 210 metres, is one of the tallest in the world.

Our Experience at Hassan II Mosque

To enter as a non‑Muslim, you must join one of the guided tours happening at certain times of the day (outside of the prayers). We bought the combo ticket (mosque + museum) via the vending machines to skip the queue.

If you go during peak time, you may want to pre-book your tickets as this is a must visit attraction in Casablanca.

Inside, you are given single‑use shoe bags and a few minutes to take photos while groups assemble. Each group forms under a language sign. Our English‑speaking guide was charismatic and full of humour, explaining everything from architectural styles to royal traditions.

We learned the retractable roof is rarely opened for practical reasons, and that the central aisle leading from the main gate is reserved for the king. During royal visits, water is released along the sides to create a ceremonial walkway.

The craftsmanship inside is breathtaking — carved cedar, zellij tiles, marble, Venetian‑plaster finishes made with egg whites to combat sea humidity. After the prayer hall, you descend into the ablution room, equally stunning in detail.

1.1. Visit the Hassan II Museum

The museum showcases mosaics, woodwork, and design elements used in the mosque. Although we visited, we personally felt it added limited value beyond what you see inside the mosque.

In essence you see various parts of the building but closer so you can truly appreciate them but we felt we saw them well enough in the mosque during the tour.

Tip: The museum’s toilets are near the end of the corridor as you walk through most of the museum — so you can decide on the spot whether the museum warrants a deeper visit. 😉

2. Wander the Historic Habbous Quarter (New Medina)

The Habbous Quarter was built during the French colonial era to accommodate Jewish traders and local artisans. Today it feels atmospheric, calm, and far more pleasant than the old medina.

We came here specifically for the famous pastries of Pâtisserie Bennis Habous — and they genuinely lived up to their reputation. We talk more about it in our Restaurants section below.

3. Experience the Old Medina Market (Optional)

This market shows the raw, unfiltered side of Casablanca. It’s bustling, chaotic, and not for sensitive stomachs. Picture cats lounging beside fresh meat and sheep heads. We walked around 45 minutes before deciding we’d had enough.

Still, for travellers seeking unique things to do in Casablanca, this is certainly one, we promise. We suggest you just stick to the New Medina (Habbous Quarter) if you think you have a sensitive stomach.

4. Step Inside the Deconsecrated Sacred Heart Cathedral

Located in the European quarter once inhabited by the French elite, this cathedral blends Art Deco and neo‑Gothic styles. From the outside it appears modest, but the interior stained glass feels striking.

We liked seeing the vivid colours from the stained glass projected on the floor as it adds a wonderful dimension to the visit, but inside it’s absolutely empty. It reminded us of the forgotten colonial cathedrals of Tunisia such as the Saint Louis Cathedral with its vivid stained glass.

5. Unwind at Arab League Park

This long, palm‑lined park is pleasant for a short rest. If you’re visiting things to do in Casablanca with family, children can enjoy the open space while adults cool off in the shade.

6. Relax at Muhammad V Square

A classic stop among the top 5 things to do in Casablanca, this central square is lined with colonial‑era administrative buildings. We saw the Consulate of France and the Palace of Justice standing proudly over the open plaza.

Street performers often roam here, including traditionally dressed water sellers, called Garrabs, who offer photo opportunities.

We sat watching locals feed pigeons and snapped a picture with the “I Love Casablanca” sign, as we always do in other cities too.

7. Watch the City Buzz at United Nations Square

At the crossroads of trams, traffic, and pedestrians, United Nations Square is one of the most recognisable things to see in Casablanca.

We stopped for some much needed coffee and pastries here — nothing extraordinary flavour‑wise, but a good place to recharge and people‑watch.

8. See the Gate of the Royal Palace (Optional)

The palace itself is closed to visitors, but the grand gates are impressive but beyond that it really is out of the way for most tourists. Guards are posted every 50 metres, and lingering isn’t encouraged.

Only worth visiting if you’re already exploring the Habbous neighbourhood.

9. Walk the Casablanca Corniche

The Atlantic breeze and seaside views make this one of the most relaxing things to do in Casablanca in one day.

Unlike Rabat’s lively corniche, Casablanca’s is quieter, but the view of the mosque at sunset is unforgettable.

10. Marina Shopping – Do Some Shopping and Have Lunch with a View

Similar to what we discovered in Beijing, who says commercial malls can’t offer some touristic value. We found this Mall as an opportunity to do some local shopping for home but also have lunch with the view of the marina.

When we wanted to go out to the food court terrace to get some lunch rain started unfortunately, making us reconsider our plans. The views are good, not great, but if you focus on the Hassan II Mosque to the left and the waves hitting the embankement it will be well worth your visit here especially if looking to do some shopping.

11. Other Things to Do in Casablanca

If you have more time, here are a few suggestions for other things to do in Casablanca:

Things to Know About Dining in Casablanca

• Most restaurants do not accept card payments, so always carry cash.
• Moroccan cuisine restaurants are typically 50% more expensive than international eateries — likely because tourists favour them.
• Menus tend to be less extensive compared to European counterparts but still offer plenty of choice.
• Tipping isn’t mandatory but always appreciated.
• Popular restaurants like Rick’s Café or La Sqala attract many visitors, but we chose different spots for a more personal experience.

Our Top Restaurants in Casablanca

1. “الهيبة” (Al‑Hayba) – Excellent Syrian Cuisine

We wanted a break from Moroccan food, so we tried this Syrian restaurant Al Hayba — and what an experience. Upon entering the premises, you’re greeted by two enormous shawarma towers, each around 100 kilograms.

We ordered hummus, moutabal, tabbouleh, a mixed grill with ayran, and of course, kunefe. All home made and felt fresh.

We also noticed that they specialise in platters and if you order one, staff come and loud music in the restaurant starts playing celebrating the ocassion with everyone clapping and chipping in.

The meats were particularly tasty and well seasoned. We really enjoyed the home made kunefe and the fact that they brought the sherbet for us to pour as much as we want. How much was all of this debauchery? – 300 dirhams. Yes.

2. Pâtisserie Bennis Habous – Iconic Pastries

Patisserie Bennis Habous is a Casablanca institution. Our favourites were almond‑filled pastries dusted with icing sugar. We bought around 400–500g (roughly 20 pieces) for 70 dirhams — pricey by Moroccan standards but excellent value by European ones.

We enjoyed them later at our Marrakech riad while stargazing – an excellent way to try them.

3. Taverne du Dauphin – Fresh Seafood Near the Medina

We had another seafood delight at Taverne du Dauphin. We each ordered a two‑course menu: oysters to start, then fried seafood for me and tuna with mashed potatoes for Hristina, plus shared calamari.

Everything tasted fresh and well prepared. They serve alcohol too, though we didn’t have any as we still had a long day ahead of us.

Final Thoughts

Casablanca doesn’t try to charm you in the way Marrakesh or Chefchaouen might, yet that’s exactly why the city feels so refreshing. It isn’t designed for tourists and it doesn’t hide behind a curated façade.

Instead, Casablanca offers a glimpse of modern Moroccan life — lively cafés, French-influenced boulevards, neighbourhood bakeries, and the striking presence of the Atlantic just beyond the skyline.

For us, it became clear very quickly why the city once served as the French colonial headquarters. Its urban layout, architectural mix, and unmistakably cosmopolitan character set it apart from every other Moroccan city we visited.

It’s a place of business and daily life first, and a destination second — which gives it an authenticity we really appreciated.

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