The Hassan II Mosque silhouetted at sunset over the Atlantic in Casablanca

Explore Morocco

Casablanca

Morocco's modern gateway on the Atlantic

RegionCasablanca-Settat
Recommended duration1 day is enough for most travelers — usually on arrival or before an international departure.

Overview

Discover Casablanca

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and its economic capital — and, for many international travelers, the first stop after landing at Mohammed V International Airport. It is energetic, contemporary and quite different from the historic medinas elsewhere in the country.

The unmissable highlight is the Hassan II Mosque, built partly over the ocean and one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslim visitors can enter on guided tours. Add a stroll through the Art Deco downtown and an evening on the Corniche and you have a very pleasant first or last day.

Detail of zellige mosaic tilework at the Ben Youssef MadrasaThe fortified walls of the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat

Things to do

Top things to do in Casablanca

  1. 01

    Hassan II Mosque

    A monumental mosque on the edge of the Atlantic with a towering minaret. Guided visits are offered outside prayer times; check the current schedule.

  2. 02

    Art Deco downtown

    The early-20th-century center around Boulevard Mohammed V is full of elegant facades from the colonial era.

  3. 03

    Quartier Habous

    A calm "new medina" with bookshops, olive stalls and traditional pastry shops.

  4. 04

    The Corniche

    An oceanfront promenade with beach clubs, cafés and restaurants — ideal at sunset.

  5. 05

    Central Market

    Fresh seafood, flowers and produce, with small grills nearby serving the day's catch.

Detail of zellige mosaic tilework at the Ben Youssef Madrasa

Best experiences

Our favorite ways to enjoy it

  • Guided visit of the Hassan II Mosque
  • Architecture walk through the Art Deco district
  • Seafood lunch by the ocean
  • Day trip to Rabat, the capital

Travel tips

  • Casablanca is well connected by train to Rabat, Fes and Marrakech; a private driver is more flexible for luggage-heavy trips.
  • Dress modestly for the mosque visit: shoulders and knees covered.
  • If your flight arrives early, you can visit the mosque and continue to Rabat or Marrakech the same day.

FAQ

Casablanca: your questions

Is Casablanca worth visiting?

Yes, for a day. The Hassan II Mosque alone justifies a stop, and the city gives a useful contrast to Morocco's historic cities. Most travelers do not need more than one night.

Can non-Muslims enter the Hassan II Mosque?

Yes, on guided tours held outside prayer times. Schedules can change, especially during religious holidays and Ramadan, so we confirm times when planning your visit.

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