Things to Do in Casablanca

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Morocco's largest city and economic heart pairs Art Deco boulevards with a vast oceanfront mosque. From the Atlantic Corniche to the old medina, here are twelve experiences worth your time.

About each of them

Hassan II Mosque

Completed in 1993 on a promontory over the Atlantic, this is one of the largest mosques in the world, with a minaret topping 200 metres. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, accessible by guided tour outside prayer times.

The Corniche

Casablanca's seafront promenade in the Ain Diab district stretches along the Atlantic, lined with cafes, restaurants, pools and beach clubs. It is a favourite spot for an evening stroll with ocean breezes and sunset views.

Old Medina

The walled old town near the port is the city's historic core, a tangle of narrow lanes with small shops, food stalls and crafts. More modest than Fes or Marrakech, it offers an authentic, everyday slice of local life.

Habous Quarter (New Medina)

Built by the French in the 1920s and 1930s, this 'New Medina' blends traditional Moroccan design with colonial planning. Its arcaded streets are known for craft shops, olive and spice stalls, and some of the city's best bookshops.

Mohammed V Square

The civic heart of colonial-era Casablanca is ringed by grand public buildings in Mauresque and Art Deco styles, including the courthouse and the central post office. A large fountain anchors the open plaza.

Morocco Mall

One of the largest shopping centres in Africa, located on the Corniche. Alongside international brands it features a giant cylindrical aquarium, an indoor souk and a musical fountain, making it a destination in its own right.

Rick's Cafe

Inspired by the 1942 film 'Casablanca', this restaurant opened in 2004 inside a restored riad near the old medina. With its piano, arches and period styling, it recreates the movie's atmosphere over Moroccan and international dishes.

Notre-Dame de Lourdes

A modernist Roman Catholic church completed in 1956, celebrated for its vast stained-glass walls by artist Gabriel Loire. Daylight filtering through the abstract coloured glass fills the concrete interior with shifting colour.

Villa des Arts

Set in a restored 1934 Art Deco villa with a garden, this contemporary art museum hosts rotating exhibitions of Moroccan and international artists. Admission is free, making it an easy cultural stop in the city centre.

Ain Diab Beach

The main city beach lies along the Ain Diab seafront below the Corniche. Its sands and Atlantic waves draw locals for swimming, surfing and sunbathing, with beach clubs and seaside cafes close at hand.

Central Market

The Marche Central on Boulevard Mohammed V is a lively covered market dating to the colonial period. Stalls overflow with fresh fish, produce, flowers and spices, and small eateries serve seafood grilled to order.

Rabat Day Trip

Morocco's capital sits about 90 km north and is easily reached by train in roughly an hour. Highlights include the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the Kasbah of the Udayas and the historic Chellah necropolis.

Questions about visiting Casablanca

What is Casablanca best known for?

Casablanca is best known as Morocco's largest city and economic capital, for the monumental Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic, its Art Deco and Mauresque architecture, and its association with the classic 1942 film.

Can non-Muslims visit the Hassan II Mosque?

Yes. The Hassan II Mosque is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Visitors can enter on guided tours scheduled outside the five daily prayer times.

Is Casablanca worth visiting?

Yes. Casablanca offers the spectacular Hassan II Mosque, an Atlantic Corniche, distinctive colonial-era architecture and a vibrant modern city, and it makes a convenient gateway with easy rail links to Rabat and beyond.

More on Casablanca: the Casablanca city guide.

More things to do in Morocco: Things to Do in Marrakech, Things to Do in Fes, Things to Do in Chefchaouen. All cities.