The best things to do in Casablanca are touring the Hassan II Mosque on the edge of the Atlantic, walking the Habous quarter, admiring the Art Deco buildings around Mohammed V Square, eating fresh seafood at the Marché Central and watching the sunset on La Corniche. One full day is enough for the highlights before you head to Rabat, about 1.5 hours away, or on to the rest of Morocco.
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and its main international gateway, so many of our travelers start and end their trip here. It is more modern and business-like than the imperial cities, but it has some of the country’s finest sights. For how it compares with the rest of the country, see our guide to the best cities to visit in Morocco. Here are 18 of the best things to do in Casablanca.
1. Hassan II Mosque
Completed in 1993, the Hassan II Mosque stands partly over the ocean and has one of the tallest minarets in the world. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter, on guided tours outside prayer times. Do not miss it, even if you only have a few hours in Casablanca.
2. Rick’s Café
Inspired by the bar in the classic film, Rick’s Café was opened by a former American diplomat in a restored mansion by the old medina walls. Come for dinner, a piano, and a nod to Bogart and Bergman. Book ahead and dress smart casual.
3. Sacré-Coeur Cathedral
This white former cathedral, built in the 1930s, mixes Art Deco and Gothic styles. It no longer holds services and is now used for exhibitions and events, and the outside alone is worth the stop.
4. The Habous Quarter and the Royal Palace
Built in the 1930s as a new medina, the Habous quarter is clean, calm and full of arcades, bookshops, olive stalls and pastry shops. The walls of the Royal Palace are right next to it; the palace itself is closed to visitors.
5. Mahkama du Pacha
Also in the Habous, this former courthouse is a showcase of Moroccan craftsmanship, with carved cedar ceilings, stucco and zellige around many courtyards. It is still an official building, so visits are not always possible; ask your guide.
6. La Corniche
Casablanca’s oceanfront in Ain Diab is lined with beach clubs, cafes and restaurants. It is the place to walk at sunset and to see how the city relaxes.
7. Museum of Moroccan Judaism
Often described as the only museum of Jewish heritage in the Arab world, this small museum tells the long story of Morocco’s Jewish communities through clothing, religious objects and photographs.
8. Marché Central
The covered central market, opened in the early 20th century, is the best place for fish and seafood. Choose your catch at a stall and have it grilled at one of the small restaurants inside.
9. Notre-Dame de Lourdes
This 1950s church is known for its huge stained glass windows, which fill the interior with color. It is a quiet stop between busier sights.
10. Mohammed V Square
The city’s grand central square is surrounded by government buildings in the Mauresque style, a blend of French Art Deco and Moroccan design that defines downtown Casablanca. Look up as you walk the boulevards around it.
11. Eating in Casablanca
Casablanca has the most varied food scene in Morocco, from seafood by the port to French bistros and modern Moroccan restaurants. Try a seafood pastilla or a simple plate of grilled sardines.
12. The Old Medina and Bab Marrakech
The old medina is small compared with Fes or Marrakech, but walking in through Bab Marrakech gives you a feel for the city before it grew. Expect everyday stalls rather than crafts.
13. Villa des Arts
A 1930s Art Deco villa that now hosts exhibitions of modern and contemporary Moroccan art. The building and its garden are worth the visit on their own.
14. Street Art
Large murals painted during the city’s street art festivals cover walls across downtown. Walk the streets around the city center to find them, or ask a local guide to show you the best ones.
15. Sky 28
This bar on the 28th floor of the Kenzi Tower hotel has some of the best views over Casablanca, especially at night.
16. Sindibad Park
An amusement park near Ain Diab with rides and a small zoo, a good choice if you are traveling with children.
17. Morocco Mall
One of the largest shopping malls in Africa, by the ocean in Ain Diab, with international brands, restaurants and a large aquarium.
18. Sidi Abderrahmane
A small shrine on a rocky islet just off the coast, reachable on foot only at low tide. Check the tide times and enjoy the view from the shore if the water is up.
Where to Stay in Casablanca
Most trips that start in Casablanca spend the first night in the city. We ranked these hotels using guest review scores on Booking.com together with the number of reviews, checked in October 2026.
| Stay | Why we like it | Score | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaan Casablanca | A central hotel about 1 km from the port, with a restaurant and a fitness center. The most reviewed on our list. Rated 9.1 from 2,218 reviews. | 9.1 (2,218 reviews) | Check prices |
| Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca | Five-star luxury by the ocean, next to Anfa Place, with a spa, a pool and a fitness center. Rated 9.0 from 903 reviews. | 9.0 (903 reviews) | Check prices |
| Radisson Hotel Casablanca Gauthier | A modern hotel in the Gauthier district with a pool, a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center. Rated 8.9 from 2,089 reviews. | 8.9 (2,089 reviews) | Check prices |
| Royal Hideaway Casablanca | An upscale hotel with a pool, a spa, a bar and a fitness center. Rated 9.3 from 339 reviews. | 9.3 (339 reviews) | Check prices |
| Le Doge, Relais & Châteaux | A boutique mansion hotel in central Casablanca with a spa, a restaurant and a bar. Rated 8.7 from 306 reviews. | 8.7 (306 reviews) | Check prices |
| Le Square by Onomo | A comfortable hotel with a spa, a fitness center and an airport shuttle, handy for a first night. Rated 8.9 from 449 reviews. | 8.9 (449 reviews) | Check prices |
How to Get to Casablanca and Get Around
Getting to Casablanca
- By air. Casablanca Mohammed V airport is the main international airport in Morocco and the usual arrival point for travelers from the USA.
- With a private driver. On our tours, your driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to your hotel, or straight on to Rabat, about 1.5 hours away.
- By train. Trains leave from the station under Terminal 1 to Casa Voyageurs, the main railway station, and Casa Port, near the old medina and the harbor. Train tickets are sold separately from tram tickets.
Getting Around Casablanca
- By tram and busway. Casablanca has four tram lines (T1 to T4) and two busway lines, with shared tickets. T1 stops at Casa Voyageurs and Place Mohammed V, T2 runs to Ain Diab on the Corniche, and T3 ends at Casa Port.
- By petit taxi. City taxis are red. Ask the driver to use the meter or agree on the fare first.
- To the Hassan II Mosque. No tram stops at the mosque, so take a petit taxi or go with your driver.
- On foot. The old medina, Mohammed V Square and the Art Deco streets downtown are good to explore on foot.
Compare a private driver vs the train for the rest of your trip.
Where to Go After Casablanca
Most trips that start in Casablanca head north and east. Rabat, Morocco’s capital, is about 1.5 hours away. From there, many travelers continue to the blue city of Chefchaouen, then to Volubilis (about 2 hours), Meknes (about 1 hour) and Fes (about 1 hour), before the drive to the Sahara and on to Marrakech. If Tangier is on your list, see our guide to the best things to do in Tangier, our Tangier travel guide and the best hotels and riads in Tangier.
Our 14 day tour from Casablanca follows this route. Compare shorter and longer options in our 7, 10 and 14 day Morocco itinerary, and see what a private tour of Morocco costs.
Things to Do in Casablanca FAQ
Yes, for a day. The Hassan II Mosque alone is worth the stop, and the Art Deco downtown, the Habous quarter and the Corniche round it out.
One day covers the highlights. Many travelers spend a night on arrival and then continue to Rabat and the north.
Yes. Use the same care as in any large city: watch your belongings in crowded places and take official taxis or a private driver at night. Read our guide on whether Morocco is safe.
Yes, on guided tours outside prayer times. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
A private driver is the most comfortable way to combine several cities. Our private driver vs train guide compares both.
Take the train from the station under Terminal 1 to Casa Voyageurs or Casa Port, or have a private driver meet you at arrivals.
Plan Your Trip From Casablanca
We meet you at Casablanca airport and plan the whole trip around your dates, with a private driver, licensed local guides and hand-picked riads and hotels. Tell us your travel dates, the number of travelers, your hotel level (Standard, Affordable Lux or Deluxe) and the city you are flying in and out of. Fill in the form below and we will send you a day by day itinerary and a quote.
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