The BEST things to do in Casablanca and essential travel tips

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From the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque to Art Deco architecture, lively souks, and seafront strolls, Casablanca is Morocco’s cosmopolitan heart. Here are the top things to do in this bustling city, whether you’re stopping over or exploring beyond Essaouira.

Casablanca is the bustling economic and commercial hub of Morocco, home to over 3.7 million people, and the country’s most modern city. Towering skyscrapers, glamorous shopping malls, and exclusive beach clubs shape its skyline, but in between are pockets of dust, dilapidation, and deprivation; realities typical of any fast-growing African city. It’s a world away from the sleepy charm of Essaouira, which is a 4.5 hour drive further down the coast.

This city is busy, congested, and lacking in headline sights. As a result, it’s often skipped by travellers exploring Morocco. So, is Casablanca worth visiting?

Well we think it is.

For those heading to or from Essaouira, Casablanca offers a striking contrast and a vibrant urban stopover or day trip. Here, you can venture inside the breathtaking Hassan II Mosque (one of only two mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims), explore rustic markets off the tourist trail, and experience a city where tradition and modernity collide.

Check our guide to getting the bus from Essaouira to Casablanca

In this guide, we share the best things to do in Casablanca to help you make the most of your visit.

1. Visit Hassan II Mosque

Jutting out onto the Atlantic, opulent Hassan II Mosque is the main, and for many the only, reason tourists come to Casablanca. It’s the third largest mosque in the world and perhaps the most impressive building in Morocco for modern times. Indeed it was built at enormous expense over six years and completed in 1993. Plus, it’s one of only two mosques in Morocco that are open to non-Muslims.

There are tours conducted around prayer times in a range of languages (including English) of the Mosque’s interior. Visitors inside the mosque must be modestly dressed with knees and upper arms covered. Ladies don’t require a headscarf and children are fine in shorts and T-shirts. You will be asked to remove your shoes on entry and provided with a bag to carry them in.

There’s a small museum showcasing the craftwork involved, which takes about five minutes to walk around before your tour starts. 

2. Walk along the corniche

Stretching from Marina Mall, passed Hassan II Mosque, west to the Lighthouse and beyond is a fantastic corniche (promenade), also known at Boulevard de la Corniche. This is traffic-free and offers space and fresh sea air away from the congested city. The coastal views are pretty impressive too, especially as you approach Hassan II Mosque.

We suggest starting from the top floor of Marina Mall. Take a left out of the entrance, and across the white bridge, down to the corniche, and make your way to Hassan II Mosque and beyond.

3. Wander the medina

Casablanca Medina is perhaps the least touristy Medina in all of Morocco’s larger towns and cities. You are very unlikely to see other tourists here, and it’s a fascinating insight into how medinas used to be before tourism; there are no ceramic stalls, galleries, and rug shops here.

Wander and get lost. Locals will be happy to show you the way. The main streets will have markets, but much of the medina is residential.

Casablanca’s Medina is a great way to get between downtown Casablanca and Marina Mall / the coastal boulevard. On the northern side of the medina facing the Atlantic you will find Casablanca’s 18th-centurty fortifications.

4. People watch at Mohammed V Square

Mohammed V Square lies at the heart of downtown Casablanca, just south of the medina. This traffic-free plaza is a popular gathering place for locals and a great spot for visitors to admire Casablanca’s French colonial architecture.

Surrounding the square are some of the city’s most important public buildings, including the Palace of Justice and the Wilaya (Governor’s Office), showcasing elegant façades. By day, the square hums with activity; commuters pass through, street vendors sell snacks, and performers bring bursts of energy and music. As evening falls, the square transforms into a beautifully lit public space, with illuminated fountains and grand buildings creating a warm, atmospheric backdrop.

5. Dine at Rick’s Café

Rick’s Café is a restaurant inspired by the classic 1942 film Casablanca, designed to evoke the movie’s legendary Rick’s Café Americain. Located in a beautifully restored traditional Moroccan riad, the café blends old-world charm with sophisticated décor: dark wood panelling, Moroccan lanterns, and intimate seating create a romantic ambiance.

The menu offers a fusion of Moroccan and international cuisine, including tagines, fresh seafood, and expertly crafted cocktails. Live piano music often accompanies dinner, adding to the nostalgic and cinematic feel. It’s a popular spot not just for film buffs but for anyone wanting a memorable dining experience in Casablanca.

6. Visit Casablanca Cathedral (Sacré-Cœur)

The Casablanca Cathedral, also known as Sacré-Cœur, is an architectural gem built during the French colonial era in the 1930s. It ceased functioning as a church in 1956, following Morocco’s independence and the departure of much of the country’s European Catholic community.

Since then, the cathedral has been repurposed as a venue for cultural events, art exhibitions, and occasional concerts. Though no longer a place of worship, its bold blend of Art Deco and Gothic styles, soaring columns, and stained glass windows remain an important part of Casablanca’s colonial heritage. Today, it offers visitors a quiet, contemplative space; a stark yet beautiful contrast to the city’s busy streets outside.

7. Relax at Tahiti Beach Club

If you’re looking for a break from the bustle of the city, Tahiti Beach Club in Casablanca’s Ain Diab district is a great place to unwind for the day. Founded in 1940, this long-established private beach club offers a calm, stylish setting with direct access to a sandy beach, eight swimming pools, and sun loungers set beneath parasols.

There’s also an excellent range of dining options; savour Italian favourites at La Terrazza, enjoy fresh seafood and grilled meats at Le Pilotis, or sip cocktails at La Paillote, the beachside bar with laid-back vibes. The atmosphere is family-friendly by day and livelier in the summer evenings, with occasional live music, DJs, and events.

Entry costs 200 MAD on weekdays and 300 MAD on weekends and holidays, with discounts for children. It’s open daily from 10:30am to 7:30pm and is easily reached from the city centre by taxi or a walk along the Corniche.

Getting to and from Casablanca

CLICK HERE to book your transport tickets to and from Casablanca

Casablanca is one of the major transport hubs in Morocco, including Mohammed V International Airport, which is the main entry point for international flights into the country.

It’s also extremely well-served by domestic connections, including train and bus. The best website to book tickets and to check routes, timetables and availability is 12Go.

Travelling onto Essaouira? Check out our guide: How to get from Casablanca to Essaouira.

Getting around Casablanca

Trams are always a fun way to get around, especially if you live in a place which doesn’t have any. The trams in Casablanca are very modern, and there’s a flat fee of 8DH per person. However, in all honesty, the tram rarely goes where you actually want to go. Same for the buses.

There are red petits taxis to flag down. However, these are not ideal for families of 4+, although some petits taxis will take you for an extra negotiated fee (good luck on getting them to use the meter).

The most efficient way to get around Casablanca is using the careem app. This works in a similar way to Uber. You don’t need a Moroccan phone number for it to work as the app is all online, and there’s an online function to chat to the driver. The bonus with using careem is that you avoid haggling for the fare as the price is worked out via the app, and you don’t need to try and explain where you are going, as your driver just follows the pin you located on the map.

Where to stay in Casablanca

While there’s no shortage of modern apartment rentals on Airbnb, those looking to make their stay in Casablanca a little more special have some standout hotel options. For contemporary five-star luxury, the Four Seasons offers impeccable service and ocean views. For something with more character, the Art Palace Suites & Spa delivers opulence and personality, with each suite inspired by a different era or iconic figure. If you’re after comfort without the splurge, the Mövenpick Hotel Casablanca is a reliable mid-range choice with a central location.