This North African trading city is less likely to be a destination than other cities in Morocco. Casablanca is distinguished by its modernity: there is a lot of bustle and not so many imperial medieval attractions. However, this is where young Moroccans come to build a business, make money and realize creative ideas. Casablanca is a bridge between new and old Morocco. If you suddenly decide to stay in the city longer and explore its surroundings, then first read our article.

What to see in Casablanca?

Hassan Mosque

This is the second largest mosque in Africa and one of the few that non-Muslims can enter. The temple was built in 1993. The observation deck offers a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, on the shores of which the mosque is located. The floor in the prayer hall was made of glass so that those praying could see the sea waters beneath them.

Casablanca Cathedral

The neo-Gothic structure with a clear influence of Moroccan traditional architecture was conceived as a Catholic church. Despite the fact that the building needs renovation, art exhibitions are periodically held there. On other days, to get inside, you can try to talk the guard down by offering him a generous tip.

Royal Palace

Only four royal palaces have survived in Morocco, and one of them is located in Casablanca. It was he who was one of the main houses of the King of Morocco, here he received important guests such as Pope John Paul II.

At the moment, tourists will not be able to get inside the castle, but even from the outside the building allows you to get acquainted with the historical architecture in the Arabic style.

Museum of Judaism

The Museum of Judaism may be interesting to visit. The villa once served as a shelter for Jews. It has now been converted into an exhibition displaying the traditional costumes, photographs, dioramas and religious objects of wealthy members of the Moroccan Jewish community in Casablanca. There is also a synagogue located here, which was transported from the town of Larash.

Markets of the Old and New Medinas of Casablanca

To experience the daily life of the locals, head to the market. On the one hand, the New Medina market is more popular among tourists. It is cleaner here, there are more souvenirs and there are not so many merchants ready to drag lost tourists to their shops for shopping. However, if you are looking for something unusual, outlandish, then you should choose the Old Medina. Walking through the old quarter market, you can find shops selling designer clothes and luxury perfumes. And for a snack, go to the popular Bennis confectionery.

The markets of Casablanca's Old and New Medinas boast a rich selection of colorful scarves and bedspreads, a variety of leather bags and exquisite metal lamps, hand-painted ceramics, aromatic spices and much more. There will be something to bring back as a souvenir from Morocco!

Central streets of Casablanca in art deco style

No matter how many attractions there are on the plan, an independent walk through the streets of the city should be included in the program. In addition, the lively central streets of Casablanca can surprise you, because back in the 20th century the city was captured by the Art Deco style. There are so many historical buildings here, reminiscent of the times when Morocco was a French colony. Some of them are completely dilapidated, while others are perfectly preserved and quite interesting.

A walk along Mohammed Boulevard will lead to a large city square surrounded by numerous shops and restaurants.

City tour

If you want to explore not only the central part of the city and see as many sights as possible, a great option is to explore the city with a guide. This excursion will take approximately half a day in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus.

What to see in the vicinity of Casablanca?

El Jadida Citadel

100 km from Casablanca there is a 16th-century citadel, which UNESCO included in its list. The ramparts, which you can climb up, offer amazing views of the sea. Walking along the paths around the citadel, you can wander to the former bastion prison, which was converted into the El Jadida Synagogue.

Some of the most atmospheric parts of the fortress served as the location for the filming of a Hollywood film about film director Orson Welles.

Azemmour

The village of Azemmour is located approximately 88 km south of Casablanca. You will have to set aside a whole day for a trip here. The main attraction is the 17th century fortifications. And this is a great place for leisurely walks. Nearby there is a wild beach with a beautiful coastline, if you want to be alone with the sea.

Oualidia

For a break from the bustle of the city and dishes from the freshest seafood, you should go to Oualidia, which is 180 km from Casablanca. Here you can watch how the island disappears and appears during the ebb and flow of the tides. Bright flamingos live here, enjoying their bohemian life.

Camel ride through the Merzouga desert

If a night in a tent camp in the middle of the desert and a day of riding long-legged camels in the heat sounds like a good idea, then take a tour of the Erg Chebbi dunes. You can plan a tour of Merzouga-Sahara from Casablanca with a return trip or ending in Marrakesh, which by the way attracts digital nomads. In this case, along the way, in addition to the sea sands, you can see the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou (on the UNESCO list). By the way, there is a stunning view of the Sahara from the Mgun massif, you can find out more about it here.

Beaches of Mohammedia

Very close to Casablanca, about 30 km, there is a city with amazing beaches. There is a relaxed atmosphere in numerous restaurants and cafes and many walking boulevards, densely surrounded by palm trees.

Where to eat in Casablanca?

Moroccan food is not only delicious, but also quite varied. To try, if not everything, then a lot, you can take a gastronomic tour of the city from local food companies.

In addition to tasting numerous fruit juices, spirits, teas and coffee with exquisite flavors, such a tour includes a trip to the local market. Here you can choose fish and seafood to suit your taste, and then watch how it is prepared in a local diner while listening to heartfelt stories from a guide about local culinary traditions.

For a local experience on your own, head to Riad 21. This restaurant offers delicious food and luxurious ambience in old Moroccan style.

Rick's Café can rightfully be considered one of the most popular cafes in the city. The establishment is suitable for fans of the classic version of the film “Casablanca”. The cafe occupies several floors, each of which has its own serving design. The decor is made in the style of a movie set, and piano music, also from “Casablanca,” flows through the halls.

Question answer

What language is spoken in Morocco?

Classical Arabic is recognized as the official language, but some of its dialects are common in the country. Many residents also speak or at least understand French well. In some regions you can hear Spanish (north of the country) and English.

When is the best time to go to Casablanca?

It has a Mediterranean climate with cool breezes from the Atlantic Ocean. It is warm in summer – the temperature, as a rule, does not rise above +30°C and this is the best time for a beach holiday. And in winter it can be cloudy and quite chilly at +10°C, but nevertheless quite comfortable for exploring the city.

How to get there?

Despite the fact that Casablanca airport is the busiest in Morocco, you can fly here non-stop from New York, Moscow, London, Montreal, Istanbul, Cairo and some other cities.

Do you need a visa?

It all depends on citizenship. Citizens of some countries, such as the USA or Russia, will not need a visa if the stay does not exceed 90 days. But with passports from a number of other countries, a visa will have to be issued in advance at the diplomatic mission of the country. The fee is $80.

In mid-2022, a curious loophole appeared through which a citizen of some countries can obtain an electronic visa. But for this you need to have a multiple-entry visa from Schengen countries, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain or Ireland.

Where to stay?

There are many hotels in the city and the choice often correlates with the amount of the budget. If you're lucky, you can find a room for $30 with breakfast per person per night. But if you want a better view, of the sea, for example, or the central regions, then you should count on $80.

How to get around Casablanca?

You can get around the city by bus – the ticket price is low, but the contingent is varied. Traveling by tram will cost more, but the tram lines in Casablanca are modern and quite comfortable.

A taxi ride is also convenient and not too expensive. A 10-minute ride around the city will cost approximately $2.5.

The airport, which is 40 km from the city, can be reached by taxi or train.

Safety

The crime rate in Casablanca is quite low. There is even a tourist police that patrols the area of hotels and popular locations. However, a particularly attentive visitor to Casablanca should be in markets and other crowded places where pickpockets are still operating.

🕌 Casablanca: guide to the pearl of Morocco