Casablanca's top attractions are the Hassan II Mosque, the Art Deco downtown around Mohammed V Square, the Habous Quarter, the old medina, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism and the Ain Diab Corniche. One full day covers them. Most travellers then continue to Rabat, Fes or Marrakech, since Casablanca is Morocco's main arrival airport.
What kind of city is Casablanca?
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and its business capital, with several million people in the wider urban area. It is a working port and financial centre, not a preserved historic town. If you arrive expecting the lanes of Fes, you will be surprised by traffic, tram lines and office towers.
What it does offer is a clear view of modern Morocco, some of the best 20th-century architecture in North Africa, a long seafront and very good food. Locals call it "Casa".
Top attractions in Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque
This is the one sight you should not skip. The mosque stands on a platform built out over the Atlantic and its minaret reaches 210 m. The prayer hall holds about 25,000 worshippers and the roof can slide open.
It is among the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, on guided tours at set times each day outside prayer hours. Tours last about 45 minutes to an hour and are given in several languages. Times change on Fridays and during Ramadan, so check on the day. Cover shoulders and knees; you will remove your shoes inside.
Art Deco downtown
The city centre was laid out in the early 20th century, and architects mixed Art Deco with Moroccan details such as carved plaster, green tiles and arches. This style is often called Mauresque. Walk around Mohammed V Square, with its law courts and fountain, then along Boulevard Mohammed V, looking up at the facades and balconies.
Habous Quarter
Also called the New Medina, the Habous was built in the 1920s and 1930s as a planned version of a traditional medina. It has arcaded streets, bookshops, olive stalls, pastry shops and stores selling slippers, brass and tagines at calmer prices than in tourist cities. The Royal Palace gates and the Mahkama du Pacha, a former courthouse with fine tilework, are nearby.
Old medina
The original walled town near the port is small and mostly residential. It is worth a 30-minute walk from the clock tower gate to see everyday market life.
Museum of Moroccan Judaism
Located in the Oasis district, this museum presents the long history of Jewish communities in Morocco through costumes, ritual objects and photographs. It is often described as the only museum of its kind in the Arab world.
Ain Diab Corniche
The seafront west of the mosque is where the city comes to walk at sunset. It has beach clubs, cafes and restaurants, and a public beach popular with surfers and footballers.
How long to stay and a one-day plan
One day is enough for most visitors. Two nights make sense if you land late or want a slower start after a long-haul flight.
- 09:00 Guided visit of the Hassan II Mosque.
- 10:30 Coffee and a walk through the Art Deco centre and Mohammed V Square.
- 12:00 Central Market for a seafood lunch.
- 14:00 Habous Quarter and the Mahkama du Pacha.
- 16:00 Museum of Moroccan Judaism or the old medina.
- 18:00 Sunset on the Corniche.
Arriving and getting around
Mohammed V International Airport is about 30 km south of the city. A train runs from the terminal to Casa Voyageurs station in roughly 35 to 45 minutes. Taxis and pre-booked transfers take 40 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. If you are heading straight to the Red City, read about the Casablanca airport to Marrakech transfer.
In town, the tram is clean and cheap and links the main stations with the centre and Ain Diab. Small red taxis, called petits taxis, use meters; ask the driver to switch it on. Rush hours are slow, so group your sightseeing by area.
Distances from Casablanca
| Destination | Distance | By road | By train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabat | 90 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes | About 1 hour |
| Marrakech | 240 km | 2.5 to 3 hours | About 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Fes | 290 km | 3 to 3.5 hours | About 4 hours |
| Tangier | 340 km | 3.5 to 4 hours | About 2 hours 10 minutes by high-speed train |
| Chefchaouen | 340 km | About 5 hours | No train |
The capital is close enough for a half-day stop on your way north; see the Rabat travel guide for what to see there.
Weather and when to visit
The Atlantic keeps Casablanca mild all year. Summer highs are usually 25 to 28 °C and winter days reach about 17 to 18 °C, with most rain falling from November to March. Morning sea mist is common in summer and usually clears by midday.
There is no bad season for the city itself. Choose your dates according to the rest of your route, especially if it includes the Sahara.
Using Casablanca as a starting point
Because so many international flights land here, Casablanca is a natural first stop on a circuit. A typical loop goes north to Rabat and Chefchaouen, east to Fes, south to the Sahara at Merzouga, and back over the Atlas to Marrakech.
Our Morocco tours from Casablanca start with airport or hotel pick-up. If time is short, the 6-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech and Fez covers the essentials. With more time, the 10-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech adds the north and a slower desert section.
Frequently asked questions
Is Casablanca worth visiting?
Yes, for a day. The Hassan II Mosque alone justifies the stop, and the Art Deco centre and Habous Quarter fill the rest of the day well.
Can non-Muslims go inside the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes, on the official guided tours held at fixed times outside prayers. You cannot enter independently outside those tours.
Is Casablanca the capital of Morocco?
No. Rabat is the capital. Casablanca is the largest city and the economic centre.
Is Casablanca safe for tourists?
Central areas are generally fine with normal big-city care. Watch your phone and bag in crowds, and use taxis at night instead of walking long distances.
Contact Discover Morocco Tour through the contact page for a free custom quote on a tour starting in Casablanca, answered within 24 hours.