Casablanca Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Casablanca, Morocco — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Casablanca

• Hassan II Mosque. The third-largest mosque in the world and Casablanca's defining icon, its 210-meter minaret soars over the Atlantic while a portion of the prayer hall extends directly above the ocean. Non-Muslim visitors join guided tours (tickets from 140 MAD) to see the breathtaking prayer hall, ablution halls, and intricate…
• La Corniche & Ain Diab Beach. Casablanca's breezy Atlantic waterfront stretches from the Hassan II Mosque to the Ain Diab district, lined with beach clubs, seafood restaurants, surf schools, and promenading locals. Winter swells draw surfers of all levels, while summer evenings shift the strip into a nightlife hub.
• Place Mohammed V. The grand civic heart of French Protectorate Casablanca, this elegant square — inspired by Place Stanislas in Nancy — is ringed by the Palace of Justice, the Central Post Office, and the Bank Al-Maghrib, all in striking Mauresque style blending Art Deco and Moorish traditions. Known locally as Pigeons' Square, it…
• Quartier Habous (New Medina). Built by the French in the 1930s to blend Moroccan and European urban planning, this serene, well-kept quarter offers arched passageways, artisan shops selling spices, ceramics and leather, and the legendary Patisserie Bennis — a family-run bakery famed for cornes de gazelle since 1930. Quieter and more accessible…
• Art Deco & Mauresque Architecture Walk. Casablanca holds one of the largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami and Naples, a legacy of the French Protectorate era when architects fused European modernism with Moorish ornament into the distinctive Mauresque style. A self-guided walk linking Place des Nations Unies, Mohammed V Square, the…
• Rick's Café. Housed in a 1930s Moroccan courtyard mansion against the walls of the Old Medina, this atmospheric restaurant and piano bar was created as a loving homage to the 1942 film Casablanca. Live piano music, intricate interiors, craft cocktails, and a reservation-essential policy combine to make it an unmissable cinematic…
• Museum of Moroccan Judaism. The only museum of its kind in the Arab world, this intimate institution in the Maârif neighborhood traces over 2,000 years of Jewish life in Morocco through ritual objects, historic photographs, ornate costumes, and a reconstructed 1930s synagogue from Larache. It is a quietly moving reminder of Morocco's…
• Parc de la Ligue Arabe (Arab League Park). Designed in 1916 by French architect Albert Laprade, this lush 30-hectare park in the city centre is Casablanca's green lung: palm-lined alleys, Arabic-tiled ornamental ponds, playgrounds, and jogging paths all within walking distance of the Grand Theatre and Villa des Arts. It is the go-to spot for locals seeking a…

Best time to visit Casablanca

April to May, or September to October. Shoulder seasons offer mild temperatures (avg high ~70-76°F / 21-24°C), minimal rain, and fewer crowds than peak summer. Spring (April-May) adds blooming landscapes; autumn (Sept-Oct) retains warm sea temperatures. Full summer (July-August) is fine for beach-focused visits but is the highest-traffic period

Casablanca weather by month

Getting to Casablanca

Casablanca has a modern tram network (Casa Tramway) with two lines covering major districts; a rechargeable card starts at 6 MAD per ride. Red petit taxis are metered by law for city-centre journeys — always confirm the meter is running before you depart, as drivers sometimes attempt to negotiate flat fares with tourists. If visiting during Ramadan, avoid trying to hail taxis or ride-shares in the 60-90 minutes before iftar (sunset). Drivers return home to break the fast and availability collapses during this window. Plan transport around this gap or use the tram instead.

• CMN Mohammed V International Airport — 35 min drive
• RBA Rabat-Salé Airport — 90 min drive
• MEM Marrakech Menara Airport — 150 min drive

Where to stay in Casablanca

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• City Centre (Sidi Belyout). The most walkable base in Casablanca, placing you within easy reach of Place Mohammed V, the Old Medina, Rick's Café, and the main ONCF train station for the airport. A wide range of hotels from budget to luxury lines the French colonial boulevards, and the… Good for: First-time visitors, business travelers, anyone without a car.
• Ain Diab / La Corniche. Casablanca's beachfront district is the address for luxury hotels, ocean-view rooms, surf schools, beach clubs, and the city's most active nightlife strip. It runs from near the Hassan II Mosque to the Ain Diab area and suits travellers who want a coastal… Good for: Beach lovers, surfers, nightlife seekers, couples, luxury travelers.
• Quartier Gauthier. The most cosmopolitan neighborhood in Casablanca, packed with international restaurants, art galleries, boutique coffee shops, and mid-range hotels with an artistic, residential feel. It is the city's premier dining district and a strong choice for… Good for: Culture seekers, food lovers, art enthusiasts, independent travelers.
• Maârif. A buzzing, modern district just south of Boulevard Zerktouni, Maârif blends international brand shopping, local produce markets, eclectic cafés, and active nightlife at generally moderate prices. It is the most affordable of the upscale neighborhoods and… Good for: Budget-conscious travelers, shoppers, nightlife enthusiasts, younger visitors.
• Quartier Habous. Casablanca's quietest and most characterful neighborhood for accommodation, Habous offers a handful of apartment rentals starting at very modest prices amid French colonial-Moroccan architecture, proximity to the Royal Palace, and the artisan souqs of the… Good for: Architecture enthusiasts, slow travelers, couples seeking quiet, budget travelers.

Where to eat in Casablanca

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• La Sqala. Old Medina / City Centre · Traditional Moroccan — Housed inside a real 18th-century fortification built by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdullah in 1785, La Sqala serves tagines, pastilla, grilled…
• Al Mounia. City Centre (Rue du Prince Moulay Abdellah) · Traditional Moroccan — A refined courtyard villa with intricate zellige tilework and a garden shaded by a centuries-old tree. Known for its chicken…
• La Grande Table Marocaine — Royal Mansour Casablanca. City Centre (Avenue des Forces Armées Royales) · Upscale Moroccan — On the 23rd floor of the Royal Mansour hotel, this is Casablanca's most celebrated fine-dining address: panoramic views of the…
• Rick's Café. Old Medina · International / Moroccan — The city's most famous restaurant: a lovingly recreated Casablanca film homage inside a 1930s courtyard mansion, with live piano, craft cocktails, and an…
• Saveurs du Palais. City Centre · Traditional Moroccan — Widely cited as having the widest and most interesting tagine selection in Casablanca, with authentic Moroccan salads and a comfortable, unpretentious setting.…
• Niya. Gauthier · Plant-based / Vegan — Casablanca's standout plant-based restaurant, serving a seasonal creative menu from a stylish space in the city's most cosmopolitan dining neighborhood. Dishes like…
• Pâtisserie Bennis Habous. Quartier Habous (New Medina) · Moroccan Pastry — A family-run institution since 1930, Bennis is the most celebrated traditional pastry shop in Casablanca. Its cornes de gazelle — almond paste…
• Safran by Kôya. Rue Jbel Lakhdar · 4.7★ (18,153 reviews)

Cafés, bakeries & casual

• Chez Michel et Hafida. Marché Central (City Centre) · Seafood — A beloved local lunch institution near the central market, known for fresh, inexpensive grilled sardines, mussels, and squid straight off Casablanca's…
• Café de France. Place des Nations Unies / Old Medina edge · Moroccan Café — One of Casablanca's oldest cafés, sitting at the junction of the Medina and the French colonial boulevards, with around 120 years of…
• La Cantine de Gauthier. Gauthier · French / International — A cosy, well-regarded neighborhood bistro in Casablanca's most concentrated dining district, known for an impressive wine and cocktail list, impeccable service,…
• MUSCAFE.MAROC. Panorama · 5.0★ (876 reviews)
• La terrasse -1951- Maison Alexis. Abdellah Ben Cherif · 4.3★ (1,578 reviews)
• Kiki's Café Zerktouni. 237 Bd Zerktouni (Croisement Bd Zerktouni avec · 4.5★ (891 reviews)
• Boulangerie Pâtisserie Al Barakata. 20 Rue Faidi Khalifa، Dar-el-Beida 20000 · 4.3★ (1,094 reviews)
• Amoud Anfa. 26 Bd Al Massira Al Khadra · 4.1★ (1,370 reviews)

A 7-Day Casablanca Plan

1. Day 1 — Icons of the Atlantic Shore. Begin at the Hassan II Mosque, arriving early to join a guided tour of the world's largest mosque outside Mecca — the sea-view terrace and hand-carved interior are breathtaking. Allow 90 minutes to absorb the scale and craftsmanship before the midday crowds arrive. Stroll south…
2. Day 2 — Art Deco & Colonial Grandeur. Walk Place Mohammed V, the city's grand civic heart, admiring the Wilaya prefecture building, the courthouse, and the post office — all masterpieces of Mauresque and Art Deco design. Pick up a coffee at a nearby café and watch Casablancans start their day. Join or self-guide the…
3. Day 3 — Medinas Old and New. Explore the Old Medina (Ancienne Médina) in the morning when the souks are freshest — browse the narrow lanes for spices, leather goods, and Moroccan lanterns. The Sqala fortress ramparts offer a lovely view over the port. Cross to Quartier Habous (the New Medina), built in the 1930s as a…
4. Day 4 — Art, Culture & Jewish Heritage. Visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism in the Oasis neighborhood — the only Jewish museum in the Arab world, with remarkable artifacts tracing 2,000 years of Moroccan Jewish life. Allow two hours for a thorough visit. Head to Villa des Arts, a beautifully restored 1934 Art Deco…
5. Day 5 — Green Spaces & Local Life. Spend a relaxed morning in Parc de la Ligue Arabe (Arab League Park), the city's lush colonial-era garden. Walk the shaded allées, admire the Sacred Heart Cathedral (now a cultural center), and enjoy a coffee at an outdoor kiosk. Browse the Marché Central (Central Market) for fresh…
6. Day 6 — Coast, Cuisine & Nightlife. Return to Ain Diab Beach for a morning swim or a long walk along the Corniche toward the upscale Dar Bouazza beach clubs south of the city. If visiting in summer, several clubs open their pools and terraces by mid-morning. Lunch at Le Cabestan or Bleu de Toi on the Corniche for…
7. Day 7 — Final Flavors & Farewells. Return to any highlight you want more time with — perhaps a quieter second pass through Hassan II Mosque's exterior grounds and the reflecting pool, or a final stroll along the Old Medina ramparts at the Sqala. Enjoy a leisurely last lunch at one of the Mauresque-era brasseries on…

Events & festivals in Casablanca

• Jazzablanca Festival (Early July (2026 edition: July 2-11; annual since 2006)). International jazz and world-music festival held annually in Casablanca at Anfa Park. Founded in 2006 by Moroccan production company Seven PM. The 2026 (19th) edition featured 50 concerts over 10 nights across multiple…

Top-rated tours & activities in Casablanca

• 7 Days Morocco Tour from Casablanca to Marrakech — 5.0★ (89 reviews)
• Casablanca to Fez Private Transfer with Full Fez Tour and Lunch — 5.0★ (59 reviews)
• Magical Morocco 8 day — 5.0★ (42 reviews)
• 7 Days / 6 Nights Private Morocco Tour from Casablanca or Rabat — 5.0★ (34 reviews)
• Private Quad Fun in Casablanca Beachside with Hotel Transfers — 5.0★ (29 reviews)
• 10 Days Tour From Casablanca, Morocco — 5.0★ (28 reviews)
• 7-days: Casablanca to Chefchaouen then Fes and Sahara Desert - Camel Trekking — 5.0★ (55 reviews)
• 12 Days Private Luxury Sightseeing Tour in Morocco — 5.0★ (52 reviews)

Casablanca travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Casablanca?

April to May, or September to October.

What are the top things to do in Casablanca?

Top experiences include Hassan II Mosque, La Corniche & Ain Diab Beach, Place Mohammed V, Quartier Habous (New Medina), Art Deco & Mauresque Architecture Walk.

Which airport is closest to Casablanca?

Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is the nearest, about 35 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Casablanca?

Popular areas to base yourself include City Centre (Sidi Belyout), Ain Diab / La Corniche, Quartier Gauthier, Maârif.

How do I get around Casablanca?

Casablanca has a modern tram network (Casa Tramway) with two lines covering major districts; a rechargeable card starts at 6 MAD per ride.