City Tours
Casablanca Tours
Morocco's modern metropolis. Home to Africa's largest mosque, a thriving food scene, and Art Deco heritage that rivals Miami Beach.
$40-300
tour price range
1-2 Days
recommended stay
Year-Round
best time to visit
4M+
city population
Why Visit Casablanca
Casablanca confounds expectations. Travelers arrive thinking of the 1942 Bogart film and find a thoroughly modern city of four million — Morocco's economic engine, with glass towers alongside French colonial boulevards and a 7th-century medina that predates them all by centuries.
The city's crown jewel is the Hassan II Mosque, one of the world's largest and most beautiful religious buildings. Built on a promontory over the Atlantic Ocean with a laser beam pointing from its 210-meter minaret toward Mecca, it is the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter — and the interior is breathtaking.
Beyond the mosque, Casablanca rewards the curious traveler. The Art Deco district holds one of the world's finest collections of 1930s architecture. The Central Market overflows with Atlantic seafood. The Corniche waterfront buzzes with restaurants and beach clubs. And Rick's Cafe — recreated from the film — serves Moroccan-international cuisine with live piano.
Casablanca Tours and Experiences
Hassan II Mosque Guided Tour
2 hours$40-60
The must-do Casablanca experience. Visit the interior of Africa's largest mosque, built dramatically over the Atlantic Ocean. The guided tour covers the stunning prayer hall (capacity 25,000), marble ablution rooms with fountains, and the retractable roof mechanism.
Interior access for non-MuslimsExpert English-speaking guidePrayer hall and ablution roomsOcean-side minaret views
Full-Day Casablanca City Tour
7-8 hours$100-180
Comprehensive tour covering all of Casablanca's highlights in a single day. Private guide and driver, with lunch at a seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic. Ideal for travelers with one day in the city.
Hassan II MosqueOld Medina explorationArt Deco walking tourCorniche and seafood lunchRick's Cafe photo stop
Art Deco Architecture Walk
3 hours$50-80
Casablanca has one of the world's finest collections of Art Deco architecture. This walking tour through the ville nouvelle reveals the buildings left by French colonial architects — many now being restored and appreciated as cultural heritage.
1930s colonial buildingsPlace Mohammed VCinema RialtoSacre Coeur CathedralCentral Market
Casablanca Food Tour
4 hours$70-120
Eat your way through Morocco's most cosmopolitan city. From fresh-off-the-boat seafood at the port to flaky msemmen in the medina and millefeuille at French-influenced bakeries, this tour reveals Casablanca's diverse food identity.
Central Market seafood tastingStreet food stopsFrench patisserie visitLocal cafe culturePort fish market
Casablanca to Rabat Day Trip
Full day$120-200
Morocco's capital is just one hour from Casablanca. Visit the unfinished Hassan Tower, the stunning Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the picturesque Kasbah des Oudaias overlooking the Atlantic, and the ancient Chellah necropolis with its Roman and medieval ruins.
Hassan Tower and MausoleumKasbah des OudaiasChellah Roman ruinsRoyal Palace exteriorRabat medina shopping
Casablanca to El Jadida Day Trip
Full day$100-160
Drive south along the Atlantic coast to the UNESCO-listed Portuguese city of El Jadida. The underground cistern is one of Morocco's most atmospheric sites. Continue to Oualidia for the country's best oysters at a lagoon-side restaurant.
Portuguese cistern (UNESCO)Portuguese fortificationsAtlantic beachesOualidia oyster lunchAzemmour old town
Top Casablanca Attractions
Hassan II Mosque
Africa's largest mosque and Morocco's most impressive building. The interior features a retractable roof, 78 glass chandeliers, heated marble floors, and capacity for 25,000 worshippers indoors plus 80,000 in the courtyard. Guided tours available for non-Muslims.
Tip: Book the first morning tour (9 AM Saturday-Thursday) for the best light through the retractable roof.
Old Medina
Casablanca's original walled quarter dates to the 7th century. Smaller and less touristic than Marrakech or Fes, it offers authentic local shopping, spice stalls, and traditional architecture without the aggressive touts.
Tip: Enter through Bab Marrakech gate for the most atmospheric approach.
Art Deco District
The ville nouvelle built during the French Protectorate (1912-1956) contains hundreds of Art Deco, Neo-Moorish, and Brutalist buildings. Key sites include Place Mohammed V, Cinema Rialto, and the former Cathedral of Sacre Coeur (now a cultural center).
Tip: Join the Saturday morning walking tour organized by Casamemoire heritage association.
Central Market (Marche Central)
Casablanca's main market since 1917. The fish section is spectacular — Atlantic catches arrive daily. Choose your fish and have it grilled at one of the surrounding restaurants.
Tip: Visit between 8-10 AM when fishermen deliver the morning catch.
La Corniche
The Atlantic oceanfront promenade stretches from the mosque to the Ain Diab neighborhood. Beach clubs, seafood restaurants, and sunset views over the ocean.
Tip: Walk the full 3km stretch for sunset, ending at a seafood restaurant for dinner.
Rick's Cafe
Inspired by the 1942 film, this restaurant and piano bar in the Old Medina recreates the movie's atmosphere with Moorish arches, potted palms, and a courtyard fountain. The food is genuinely good — Moroccan-international fusion.
Tip: Reserve for dinner to catch the live piano performance. Lunch is easier to book.
What to Eat in Casablanca
Casablanca is Morocco's best city for seafood and the most cosmopolitan food scene in the country. French colonial influence means excellent patisseries and cafes alongside traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Grilled Sardines
Casablanca's signature street food. Fresh Atlantic sardines grilled over charcoal and served with cumin, salt, and lemon. Best at the port or Central Market.
Seafood Pastilla
Casablanca's twist on the classic pastilla: flaky warqa pastry filled with shrimp, fish, and vermicelli noodles, dusted with cinnamon sugar.
Fish Tagine
Whole fish or fish steaks slow-cooked with chermoula, preserved lemons, olives, and potatoes in a traditional tagine pot.
Oysters at Oualidia
A day trip south to Oualidia lagoon yields Morocco's best oysters — cultivated in Atlantic-fed pools and served at waterside restaurants.
Bocadillo
Casablanca's street sandwich: crusty bread stuffed with kefta (spiced ground beef), harissa, olives, and fresh vegetables. Quick, cheap, satisfying.
French Patisserie
Millefeuille, pain au chocolat, and macarons from Casablanca's French-influenced bakeries rival Paris. Try Paul, Amoud, or Patisserie Bennis.
Best Time to Visit Casablanca
Casablanca's Atlantic coast location gives it mild, Mediterranean-influenced weather year-round. Unlike inland Marrakech, it rarely gets extremely hot or cold.
Spring (Mar-May)
18-24°C
Ideal. Mild, sunny days. Perfect walking weather. Jacaranda trees bloom in April.
Summer (Jun-Aug)
24-28°C
Warm but cooled by Atlantic breeze. Beach season. Some humidity. Evenings pleasant.
Autumn (Sep-Nov)
20-26°C
Excellent. Warm days, comfortable evenings. Ocean still swimmable through October.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
12-18°C
Mild but rainy. 8-10 rain days per month. Good for indoor attractions and food tours.
Getting To and Around Casablanca
Arriving
- By air: Mohammed V Airport (CMN), 30km south. Direct flights from Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
- By train: Casa Voyageurs station connects to Marrakech (2.5h), Rabat (1h), Fes (3.5h), and Tangier (2h via Al Boraq high-speed).
- By car: Highway connections to all major cities. A7 to Marrakech, A2 to Rabat, A3 to Fes.
Getting Around
- Tram: Modern tramway connects major districts. Clean, reliable, 6 MAD per ride.
- Petit taxi: Red taxis for city rides. Insist on the meter. 15-30 MAD for most trips.
- Private driver: Best for day trips. We arrange drivers with local knowledge.
- Walking: Central areas are walkable. Mosque to Old Medina is a 20-minute walk along the coast.
Plan Your Casablanca Visit
Whether you are starting your Morocco trip through Casablanca airport or adding a city day to your itinerary, our local team arranges guided tours, transfers, and restaurant reservations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Casablanca worth visiting?+
Yes. While not as photogenic as Marrakech or Fes, Casablanca offers the Hassan II Mosque (Morocco's most impressive building), a vibrant food scene, Art Deco architecture, and an authentic glimpse of modern Moroccan urban life.
How many days do you need in Casablanca?+
One full day covers the highlights: Hassan II Mosque, Old Medina, Art Deco district, and Corniche. Two days allows for food tours and Rick's Cafe. Three days lets you add day trips to Rabat or El Jadida.
Can you go inside Hassan II Mosque?+
Yes. Hassan II Mosque is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. Guided tours run several times daily (Saturday through Thursday). Modest dress is required.
Is Casablanca safe for tourists?+
Casablanca is generally safe for tourists, especially in tourist areas. Standard precautions apply. It is safer than many European capitals.
What is Casablanca known for?+
The Hassan II Mosque (Africa's largest), Art Deco architecture, being Morocco's business capital, the 1942 Bogart film (filmed in Hollywood, not Casablanca), and a cosmopolitan food scene.
Is Rick's Cafe real?+
Rick's Cafe exists but was not the original from the film. An American businesswoman opened it in 2004 in the Old Medina, recreating the film's atmosphere with live piano music and Moroccan-international cuisine.
How do I get from the airport to the city?+
ONCF train (45 minutes, ~40 MAD), taxi (300-400 MAD, 30-45 minutes), or pre-booked private transfer. We recommend the train for solo travelers and private transfer for families.
What food should I try in Casablanca?+
Fresh Atlantic seafood: grilled sardines, seafood pastilla, fish tagine. Also bocadillo sandwiches, French patisseries, and a day trip to Oualidia for Morocco's best oysters.
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