MA
Casablanca
Morocco's Atlantic Capital
Morocco's Atlantic Capital
The Hassan II Mosque (the finest contemporary mosque in the world; Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah; the third-largest mosque (105,000 capacity); the finest 210m minaret in the world; guided tour from 120 MAD for non-Muslims; daily 9am, 10am, 11am, and 2pm (closed Friday morning); the finest zellige tilework floor and carved cedarwood ceiling in any contemporary mosque; the hydraulic floor over the Atlantic) is the finest 120 MAD spent in Morocco.
💡 Hassan II Mosque (the finest contemporary mosque in the world; guided tour from 120 MAD for non-Muslims; daily 9am, 10am, 11am, and 2pm (closed Friday morning); the finest 210m minaret in the world; the hydraulic floor over the Atlantic; book at l-mosqueehassanii.ma).
The Casablanca Art Déco and Mauresque walk (the finest Art Déco architecture in North Africa; the Central Market (the finest Mauresque covered market in Africa; free); the Palais de Justice (the finest Mauresque facade in Casablanca); the Villa des Arts (the finest Art Déco gallery)) is the finest free half-day in Casablanca.
💡 Art Déco walk (free; the finest Art Déco and Mauresque architecture in North Africa; the Central Market (the finest Mauresque covered market in Africa; free); the Palais de Justice; the Villa des Arts).
The Casablanca Corniche (the finest Atlantic waterfront in North Africa; Ain Diab; the finest Atlantic sunset from any Moroccan city; free; the finest beach and restaurant strip in Morocco) and the Habous Quarter (the finest 1930s planned New Medina in Morocco; Boulangerie Bennis Habous; kaab el ghazal from 30 MAD per 100g) are the two finest free Casablanca experiences.
💡 Corniche and Ain Diab (free; the finest Atlantic waterfront promenade in North Africa; the finest Atlantic sunset from any Moroccan city; the finest beach and restaurant strip in Morocco).
Rick’s Café (the best restaurant in Casablanca; Boulevard Sour Jdid; the finest lamb pastilla (from 180 MAD); the finest live piano bar in Morocco (from 7pm nightly)) is the best evening experience in Casablanca.
💡 Rick’s Café (Boulevard Sour Jdid; the best restaurant in Casablanca; the finest lamb pastilla (from 180 MAD); the finest live piano bar in Morocco (from 7pm nightly)).
Casablanca is the finest city in Morocco for seafood and the most diverse for restaurant options: the fresh Atlantic fish (the Marche Central fish section has the finest daily Atlantic catch in Morocco; the grilled sardines (poisson grill; MAD 30–60 at any Corniche restaurant), the calamari (MAD 60–120), and the Atlantic lobster (the finest in North Africa; MAD 200–400 for a whole grilled lobster at any Corniche seafood restaurant)), the la belle époque (the most specifically Casablanca restaurant concept: the grand Art Déco dining rooms with the French-Moroccan tasting menus; the Brasserie Bavaroise on the Boulevard Mohammed V and the La Sqala (the fortress restaurant; the most beautiful terrace in Casablanca)), and the Rick’s Café (Place du Jeu de Boules; the American-owned restaurant that recreates the most famous film set in North African cinema — Casablanca (1942); MAD 200–400 pp; the most specifically cinematic single Casablanca tourist experience; book ahead at rickscafe.ma). The Corniche seafood restaurants (the Sqala and the Port de Peche fish restaurants) and the Quartier Gauthier independent scene are the most recommended Casablanca dining zones.
The Hassan II Mosque (MAD 160; guided tours daily except Friday; first tour 9am) is built over the Atlantic.
Casablanca has the finest 1920s–40s Art Déco concentration in North Africa. The free tourist office map covers a 2-hour walking route from Place Mohammed V.
Rick’s Café (248 Blvd Sour Jdid; evenings; book dinner online) is a genuine recreation of the Casablanca film bar with live jazz.
Rabat (50 minutes by Al Boraq fast train; from MAD 70) has the Kasbah des Oudaias, the Hassan Tower, and the Mohammed V Mausoleum. A genuinely beautiful and much less visited city.
Hassan II Mosque (guided tour from 120 MAD; the finest contemporary mosque in the world; daily 9am, 10am, 11am, and 2pm). Art Déco walk (free; the Central Market; the Palais de Justice). Corniche and Ain Diab sunset (free; the finest Atlantic sunset in Morocco). Rick’s Café (the best restaurant in Casablanca; live piano from 7pm).
💡 The Hassan II Mosque guided tour (from 120 MAD; daily 9am, 10am, 11am, and 2pm; closed Friday morning; the best time is the 9am tour (the finest morning Atlantic light on the mosque facade; the finest photography before the afternoon crowds)) is the finest single 120 MAD cultural experience in Morocco — book at l-mosqueehassanii.ma at least 2 days ahead in summer.
The Art Déco walking route (free map from the tourist office; 2h), the Hassan II Mosque exterior (free; viewable from the Corniche promenade at any hour), and the Marche Central (free to browse) give the most complete Casablanca day.
Rick’s Café (book at rickscafe.ma 2–7 days ahead; MAD 250–400 pp for dinner; the Art Déco lounge; the live piano from 7pm; the finest specifically cinematic single restaurant experience in any African city) is the most.
The Four Seasons Casablanca (Boulevard de la Corniche; the finest city hotel in Morocco: the 189 rooms with Atlantic ocean views; the rooftop pool; the spa; the finest breakfast in any Moroccan hotel; €200–700/night) is.
Hassan II Mosque (l-mosqueehassanii.ma) for the guided tour booking (from 120 MAD for non-Muslims; daily 9am, 10am, 11am, and 2pm; book online 2 days ahead in summer).
Free
ONCF train (oncf.ma) for the Casablanca–Marrakech (3h; from 150 MAD) and Casablanca–Rabat (1h; from 50 MAD) intercity train booking.
Free
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