Casablanca
Okay, real talk — if you’ve ever Googled “what to visit in Casablanca Morocco” and walked away thinking “meh, sounds like a business trip waiting to happen,” I totally get it. The city has a bit of a reputation problem. People hear Casablanca and think: airport layover, suits, maybe a Humphrey Bogart joke. Then they book a riad in Marrakech instead.
Big mistake. Huge.
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city, and it’s got a totally different energy from anywhere else in the country — coastal, cosmopolitan, slightly chaotic in the best way, and packed with things to do. Whether you’ve got 24 hours between flights or you’re actually giving it a proper visit, this is your no-fluff guide to the top Casablanca tourist places in 2026. Let’s get into it.
So Why Does Casablanca Get Overlooked?
Here’s the thing: Marrakech is a fairytale. Casablanca is real life. And I mean that as a compliment.
Marrakech is incredible, but it’s also very much performing for you. Casablanca just… exists. Trams rattle down wide boulevards, locals argue over seafood prices at the market, Art Deco buildings glow gold in the afternoon sun. The things to do in Casablanca are genuinely varied — we’re talking world-class architecture, legitimately great food, and a breezy Atlantic waterfront that makes it one of the most underrated cities in North Africa.
Worth visiting? Absolutely. Especially if you want to see a side of Morocco that isn’t filtered through Instagram.
First Stop: Hassan II Mosque (Nothing Can Prepare You)
Look, I know every Casablanca guide leads with this. But there’s a reason for that — it’s absolutely mind-blowing, and no amount of photos does it justice.
The Hassan II Mosque sits right on the Atlantic Ocean, with a 210-meter minaret (second tallest religious structure in the world, by the way) shooting up into the sky. The floors are made of glass, so you can literally see the ocean beneath your feet while you’re inside. The roof is made of cedar wood and it actually retracts in warm weather. It was built over the sea. This is a real building that exists.
A few tips so you don’t waste the experience:
- Non-Muslim visitors can join guided tours — they run several times a day (not during Friday prayers though). Budget around 140 MAD for the ticket.
- Go in the morning if you can. Fewer crowds, better light, and the whole place feels almost meditative at that hour.
- Wander to the coastal promenade on either side of the mosque for those dramatic “mosque + ocean” photos you’ve definitely seen on Pinterest.
- Seriously, do NOT leave right after the tour. The marble esplanade outside is the best free sunset spot in the city. Bring snacks. Sit down. Take it all in.
Two Medinas, Completely Different Vibes
The Old Medina
No Instagram-ready ceramic displays here, no carpet sellers in embroidered djellabas chasing after you with mint tea. The Old Medina in Casablanca is just… a neighborhood where people live. Fishmongers, kids kicking footballs through narrow alleys, seamstresses hunched over their machines — it’s wonderfully unscripted.
Head in through Bab Marakash (the old historic gate) and give yourself permission to wander without a plan. Getting slightly lost is the whole point.
The Habous Quarter — The “New” Medina
A short ride south, the Habous Quarter is a completely different world. The French built it in the 1920s and blended Moorish arches with orderly European street planning, which sounds like it shouldn’t work but absolutely does. It’s calmer, cleaner, and honestly one of the most photogenic neighborhoods in the city.
Two non-negotiable stops:
- Pâtisserie Bennis Habous: A legendary bakery that’s been making cornes-de-gazelle (little almond crescent pastries) since 1930. The queue moves fast. Buy a bag and eat them walking. You’ll thank me later.
- The Olive Market: Enormous barrels of olives in every flavor and brine you can imagine. Even if you’re not buying, your nose will be very happy.
Hidden Architecture Gems (This City Will Surprise You)
Casablanca’s Secret: It’s an Art Deco Paradise
Here’s something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention — Casablanca has one of the greatest collections of 1920s–30s Art Deco buildings anywhere in the world. The French were basically showing off when they built this city, and the area around Mohammed V Square is full of ornate facades, curved balconies, and decorative tilework that looks like it belongs on a Wes Anderson set.
Best of all? The walking tour is free. Just wander and look up.
Sacré-Coeur Cathedral
It’s not a church anymore — it’s been converted into a cultural center with rotating art exhibitions. But the building itself is stunning, and the light inside on a clear day is something else. Pop in, have a look around, pretend you’re very cultured.
The Museum of Moroccan Judaism
This one genuinely surprised me. It’s the only Jewish museum in the Arab world, and it tells the story of Morocco’s Jewish community — a history stretching back over 2,000 years. The collection is thoughtful and moving, and it adds a layer of depth to your understanding of Morocco that you just don’t get from the usual tourist trail.
Notre Dame de Lourdes
Almost nobody talks about this little Catholic church, which is a crime because the stained glass inside is absolutely extraordinary. Floor-to-ceiling color that floods the whole interior. It’s one of those places where you just stand there with your mouth open. Ten minutes out of your way. Do it.
The Corniche: Casablanca’s Chill Coastal Side
The Corniche is the city’s three-kilometer seafront promenade, and it’s where Casablanca completely relaxes. Joggers, families, teenagers hanging out, couples watching the Atlantic — it’s got great people-watching energy, especially in the evenings when everything slows down and the ocean breeze kicks in.
A few things worth checking out along the way:
- Morocco Mall — One of Africa’s biggest shopping centers, which sounds boring until you learn it has a massive indoor aquarium. Worth a look even if you’re not shopping.
- Plage Tamaris — You can book jet ski sessions right on the beach. It’s affordable and a genuinely fun way to see the coastline from a different angle.
- Quad biking along the coast is also a thing, if that’s your speed. Local operators near the Corniche can sort you out.
Food: Where Casablanca Really Shines
Rick’s Café
Yes, it’s based on the movie. Yes, it’s technically a recreation of a bar that never actually existed. And yes, you should still go. The building is a gorgeous restored 1930s riad, the cocktails are great, and there’s a live piano player performing Moroccan jazz every evening. Is it a bit of a tourist trap? Kinda. Is it a fun tourist trap? Absolutely.
La Sqala
My personal favorite breakfast spot in the whole city. It’s tucked inside an old fortified bastion near the port, with a rose garden courtyard that feels like a secret. Order the baghrir — these fluffy semolina pancakes come with honey and argan oil and they are ridiculous in the best way. Take your time here. The world can wait.
Marché Central (Central Market)
This is where Casablanca’s chefs actually shop for their seafood. You can pull up a stool at the market counters, pick whatever looks freshest, and have it cooked in front of you for almost nothing. It’s chaotic and delicious and very, very real. Easily one of the best things to do in Casablanca if you love food.
Sky 28
For when you want to feel fancy and see the whole city at once. Sky 28 sits on the 28th floor with 360-degree views and a solid modern Mediterranean menu. Go at dusk and watch the city light up — it puts everything you’ve explored at street level into a whole new perspective.
Getting Around Without Losing Your Mind
| Transport | Cost | When to Use It |
|---|---|---|
| Tram | 8 MAD per ride | Getting across the center — easy and reliable |
| Petit Taxi (little red cabs) | Varies | Short hops around neighborhoods — always ask for the compteur (meter) |
| Walking | Free | The mosque area, downtown, Art Deco district |
Quick safety note: Casablanca is a regular big city, not a danger zone. Use the same common sense you’d use anywhere. Solo female travelers tend to feel most comfortable in Maârif and Centre-Ville — both are busy, well-lit, and easy to get around. Grab an eSIM before you arrive (Holafly works great in Morocco) so you’ve got data for maps and ride-hailing without the roaming charges.
Your Casablanca Game Plan: 24–48 Hours
Day 1 — The Classics Get to Hassan II Mosque by 9am before it gets busy. Grab lunch at Marché Central (get the fish, obviously). Spend your afternoon poking around the Habous Quarter and Old Medina. Catch sunset on the mosque esplanade — trust me on this — then head to the Corniche for dinner.
Day 2 — Go Deeper Morning Art Deco walking tour around Mohammed V Square. Hit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism (genuinely don’t skip this). Swing by Notre Dame de Lourdes for the stained glass. Afternoon at Morocco Mall. End the night at Rick’s Café with a cocktail and live jazz.
Quick FAQs
Is Casablanca safe? Yep. It’s a big, working city — just use your normal city-smarts.
How long do I actually need? Two full days hits the sweet spot. You’ll see the good stuff without feeling rushed.
Can non-Muslims visit Hassan II Mosque? Yes! Guided tours run most days (not Fridays during prayers). Around 140 MAD for the ticket.
Casablanca or Marrakech — help! Go to Marrakech for the ancient medina, the souks, the whole “I’m in a movie” feeling. Come to Casablanca for modern Morocco, incredible seafood, Art Deco architecture, and a city that doesn’t care whether you’re impressed or not. (You will be though.)
Here’s the thing about Casablanca: it’s not trying to win you over. It’s just living its life, looking effortlessly cool by the Atlantic, eating great food, and minding its business. The travelers who bother to show up — instead of just passing through — are always glad they did.
Come for the mosque. Stay for the baghrir pancakes. Leave wondering why it took you this long to figure out Casablanca was this good