Morocco's cosmopolitan Atlantic metropolis — home to the magnificent Hassan II Mosque.
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city, its economic engine and the gateway through which most international flights arrive. More modern and cosmopolitan than the imperial cities, 'Casa' blends French Art Deco boulevards, a buzzing Atlantic Corniche and the staggering Hassan II Mosque — one of the largest mosques in the world and the only one in Morocco non-Muslims may enter.
While many travellers simply transit through, Casablanca rewards a day's exploration before heading south or to the imperial cities. It's also the most common starting point for grand Morocco tours, and our drivers collect you straight from Mohammed V Airport.
The city's masterpiece — built partly over the Atlantic, with a 210 m minaret and room for 105,000 worshippers. Guided interior visits run several times a day and are unmissable.
Casablanca's seafront promenade is lined with cafés, pools and restaurants — the place to feel the city's modern, easy-going side.
The centre around Place Mohammed V is an open-air museum of 1920s–30s French-colonial Art Deco, a style found almost nowhere else in Africa.
Smaller than Fes or Marrakech, Casablanca's medina and the elegant 'new medina' of Habous are great for olives, pastries and crafts without the hard sell.
A loving recreation of the bar from the film Casablanca — touristy but atmospheric, and a fun evening stop.
Built between 1930 and 1952 and long since deconsecrated, the cathedral now serves as an events space. Its white Art Deco facade and twin towers make it one of the most unusual buildings in Morocco — a relic of the French protectorate standing in the middle of the city.
Opened in 1997, this is the only Jewish museum in the Arab world, telling the story of a community that helped shape Morocco over two millennia. Small, quiet and more illuminating about the country than most of what else Casablanca offers.
About 100 km south lies the Portuguese fortress town of El Jadida and its UNESCO-listed 16th-century cistern — an underground vault whose film of water mirrors the columns. Orson Welles shot scenes for his Othello here.
Casablanca can be visited at any time of year. The Atlantic keeps temperatures within a narrow band: rarely above 28°C in summer, seldom below 8°C in winter. The most pleasant months are April to June and September to November.
Coastal fog often sits over the city in the morning and burns off by midday — the norm on this coast rather than bad weather.
Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), about 30 km south of the city, is Morocco's main hub and for many travellers the first contact with the country. A direct train links the airport with Casa-Voyageurs station. Casablanca is also the southern terminus of the Al Boraq high-speed line.
Honestly: Casablanca is Morocco's commercial capital, not a postcard city. If you have come purely for medinas and souks, Fes and Marrakech serve you better. For the Hassan II Mosque, the Corniche and a walk through the Art Deco districts, one full day is enough. It works excellently as the opening or closing stop of a tour, because most long-haul flights land here — but rarely as a destination in its own right.
This is one of the very few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims may enter — and the real reason to stop in Casablanca. Entry is by guided tour only, running several times daily in a number of languages, with reduced hours on Fridays. The minaret stands 210 m tall, part of the prayer hall extends over the Atlantic, and sections of the floor can be finished in glass so you can see the water beneath. Dress modestly and allow about an hour.
Yes — it is one of the very few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, via guided tours scheduled throughout the day (closed during prayer times).
For a day, yes — chiefly for the Hassan II Mosque, the Corniche and the Art Deco centre. Most travellers use it as an arrival point and start their tour here.
Absolutely. Many of our grand tours begin in Casablanca; we meet you at the airport and tailor the route from there.
For a day, yes — chiefly for the Hassan II Mosque, which as a non-Muslim you can see from the inside, and for the Art Deco architecture. As a multi-day destination it is less rewarding than Fes or Marrakech.
Yes, on a guided tour offered several times a day in several languages. Hours are restricted on Fridays. Modest dress is required.
A direct train runs to Casa-Voyageurs station in about 40 minutes. By car it is roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Our tours collect you at the terminal.
There is, but it has no connection to the film — the 1942 classic was shot entirely in Hollywood. The restaurant opened in 2004 as an affectionate homage. A pleasant evening, not a historic site.
A very good one. Most long-haul flights land here, and from Casablanca you reach Rabat in an hour, Marrakech in two and a half and Fes in three and a half.
Imperial Cities
Marrakech, Aït Ben Haddou, the Sahara, Fes and the blue city of Chefchaouen — the complete first-timer's Morocco in a week.
Grand Tour
Imperial cities, Atlantic coast, Sahara, oases and mountains — the complete kingdom in two unhurried weeks.
