Complete Casablanca Morocco Travel Guide 2026
Quick snapshot — why visit Casablanca
- Morocco’s largest city and economic hub, where Atlantic breezes meet modern architecture and historic quarters.
- Iconic landmark: Hassan II Mosque — one of the world’s largest mosques with a towering minaret and oceanfront setting.
- Great base for northbound or southbound travel: fast rail and road links to Rabat, Marrakech and the coast.
When to go
- Best months: March–May and September–November (mild weather, fewer crowds).
- Summers (July–August) are hot on the coast but cooler than inland cities; winter is mild but can be rainy.
Top things to see & do in Casablanca
1. Hassan II Mosque — must-see
An architectural showpiece built partly over the Atlantic, with the tallest minaret in Africa. Guided tours run several times a day (check current times before visiting). Capacity and design facts make it Casablanca’s anchor attraction.
2. The Corniche & Aïn Diab
Seafront promenade with beaches, cafés, nightspots and sunset views. Great for an evening stroll or a seafood dinner overlooking the Atlantic.
3. Old Medina & Habous Quarter
Explore winding alleys, artisan stalls, and the quieter Habous (new medina) for bookshops, bakeries, and authentic riads.
4. Morocco Mall
One of Africa’s largest malls — shopping, aquarium, and family-friendly attractions.
5. Place Mohammed V & French-era architecture
The city’s administrative heart with grand colonial-era buildings and bustling squares. TripAdvisor and travel guides list these among Casablanca’s top stops.
6. Rick’s Café & cultural stops
Rick’s Café is a popular tourist stop (inspired by the film Casablanca) — combine it with a walk around Gauthier and Maarif neighborhoods.
Getting there & into the city
Arriving by air
- Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is Casablanca’s main international gateway. The fastest, cheapest public option into the city center is the train from the airport — it takes roughly ~26 minutes depending on service and is budget-friendly. For convenience, private transfers and taxis are widely available.
Arriving by train/bus
- Casablanca is a major node on Morocco’s ONCF rail network — fast connections to Rabat, Marrakech and Fes.
Getting around Casablanca
- Tramway & bus network: Casablanca’s tram system now has multiple lines (T1–T4 and busways). It’s modern and a reliable option for many central journeys. (Service hours and intervals vary by line.) (Wikipedia)
- Taxis: Petit (small) taxis are for short intra-city trips; grand taxis for longer trips and shared inter-city rides. Always agree on price or insist on the meter for petit taxis.
- Walking: The Corniche, Habous, and central districts are walkable; elsewhere use tram/taxi.
Where to stay — neighborhoods that work
- Anfa / Corniche: beachfront hotels, modern vibe, good for nightlife and sea views.
- Gauthier & Maarif: trendy neighborhoods with cafés, restaurants and boutique hotels — good for foodies.
- Habous/Old Medina: best for a traditional feel and short walks to cultural sites.
- Near Casa-Port / Ville Nouvelle: practical if you’ll use trains and want central access.
Where to eat — local dishes & recommended stops
- Try seafood on the Corniche, tagine, couscous, and pastilla.
- Street food: fresh orange juice, msemen (flatbread), and brochettes in casual stalls.
- For tourists: Rick’s Café (experience + photo op); for authentic cooking, smaller family riads and local cafés in Habous.
Day-by-day sample itineraries (copyable into pages)
1-day Casablanca highlights
- Morning: Hassan II Mosque tour (pre-book if possible) → walk to the esplanade.
- Midday: Lunch in Habous Quarter; explore artisan shops.
- Afternoon: Place Mohammed V and the Central Market → tram to Corniche for sunset.
- Evening: Dinner on the Corniche or Rick’s Café.
2-day (adds a deeper neighborhood + mall)
Day 1 as above. Day 2: Morocco Mall + Ain Diab beach + Gauthier evening dining.
3-day (adds day trip)
Add a half-day trip to Rabat by train (40–60 min) or a full-day to Marrakech by high-speed rail (longer) if your schedule allows.
Practical tips: money, safety, health
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD). ATMs widely available in the city.
- Tipping: Small tips are customary — 10–15% in restaurants if service isn’t included; small change for porters and guides.
- Safety: Casablanca is generally safe for tourists but exercise normal precautions — watch bags in crowded markets and at transport hubs.
- Health: Tap water is generally drinkable in the city centers but many travelers prefer bottled water. Check routine vaccine recommendations and consult your doctor for travel health advice.
Mobile & accessibility notes
- Your page should include: downloadable map (PDF), printable one-day itinerary, and a prominent “Call / Book” button for mobile users. Mobile load speed is critical for rankings.
Image & media suggestions (use on page)
- Hero image: panoramic of Hassan II Mosque at golden hour (alt: “Hassan II Mosque Casablanca oceanfront”).
- Secondary images: Corniche sunset, Habous market, Morocco Mall interior, tram in action.
- Include image captions & descriptive alt text (improves accessibility and image SEO).
On-page SEO checklist (use before publishing)
- H1: Complete Casablanca Morocco Travel Guide 2026 (focus keyword near start).
- Meta title & description: already created (use them).
- Use H2s that include the keyword or related terms (e.g., “Casablanca travel tips”, “Top attractions in Casablanca”).
- Schema: Add FAQ schema and LocalBusiness / TravelAgency schema for chegagatravel to boost rich snippets.
- Canonical tag & hreflang if you publish translated pages.
- Internal links: link to related pages — itineraries, booking page, other city guides (e.g., Fes, Marrakech).
- Length & depth: 1,200–2,500+ words with many subheadings, images, and FAQs.
- Page speed: compress images, use lazy loading, serve WebP where possible.
FAQ
Q: How long should I spend in Casablanca?
A: 1–3 days covers the main sites; longer if you want day trips or leisure time on the Corniche.
Q: Is Hassan II Mosque open to non-Muslims?
A: Yes — guided tours are available most days (times vary by season). Always check current schedules.
Q: How do I get from Casablanca airport to the city center?
A: The airport train is a fast, economical option (~26 minutes); taxis and private transfers are also available.
Q: Is public transport reliable?
A: Casablanca’s tram network (T1–T4 and busways) is modern and useful for central travel; schedules and lines have expanded in recent years. (Wikipedia)
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