- Best time to travel to Casablanca: March-May / September-November (although winter can still be sunny and nice, avoid the hot summer!)
- How to reach the city: By plane (there is an international airport), train or buses
- Number of nights suggested: 1 or 2
Chances are you’ve heard about Casablanca because of the famous movie! Although we don’t think it’s the prettiest city in Morocco, there are a lot of things to do to have a great time there. From its incredibly famous Mosque to its delicious cuisine, Casablanca has a lot to offer.
If you land there, it’s a good idea to book at least 2 nights so you get one complete day to wander around.
THINGS TO KNOW
» If Casablanca is your first destination like many people, it will be the first impression you get from Morocco. From what we’ve seen in the rest of the country, it’s not representative. The city is a big metropolis and an economic center, with many modern business buildings but also very poor neighborhoods.
Extreme poverty and wealth cohabit. Depending on where you stay and what you do, you can have a totally different experience.
» If you stay inside the medina, be aware that taxis don’t get inside. You are dropped off outside of it and need to walk for a bit. It’s like that in every city, so make sure you have DATA or a map!
» There are two different kinds of taxis in the city: The Grand Taxi and the Petit Taxi (usually red). If you want a ride inside the city, you need to take a Petit Taxi. For the airport, you’ll need a Grand Taxi.
»If you opt for a cheap hostel, you are most likely to end up in a poor part of the city. Be prepared to be heavily solicited by vendors in the market while trying to reach your place.
The streets are incredibly noisy and busy, all kinds of smells are mixed together and the heat can be very intense. But don’t worry, you’ll get used to it very quickly. It’s part of the charm of Morocco!
»Even though you may feel unsafe in some areas (especially as a woman) it’s a very safe city. Woman harassment is definitely a thing in Morocco, but as long as you ignore it, you shouldn’t have any problem. However, you must be very careful with the pickpockets!
THINGS TO DO
Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Le Gatsby Café
If you plan to visit the Mosque in the morning, this café is very close to it, and we suggest eating breakfast there first. It was affordable even though the place is beautiful and fancy, and the food was delicious! Once satiated, time to head to the Mosque!
Visit the Mosque Hassam-II
The attraction you absolutely can’t miss is the visit of the Mosque Hassam-II. Even if you only spend one night in this city, you have to make sure to save some time for it.
Located just in front of the ocean, it’s stunning from the outside, and you can walk around for free. But the inside is literally out of this world and definitely worth a visit. Very few Mosques can be visited when you’re not Muslim, so it’s a real chance to be able to admire this one from the inside.
You’ll need to buy your ticket from the ticket office in the building in front. It’s very affordable, around 120 DH (12$) and the duration is around 45 minutes. Note that you have to be properly dressed (shoulders and knees covered) and that you will be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance. You will be given a bag to carry them, but it’s a good idea to bring some socks if you don’t wanna walk around barefoot!
WALK ALONG THE CORNICHE
After visiting the Mosque, take a walk on the boardwalk along the ocean until you reach the beach. It’s a pretty long walk, and the view is worth it. You can spend some time at the beach, and then head back to the city. Some people will offer you a “free horse ride”, but remember, there are no such things as free things in Morocco! You will be ask for some money after with GREAT insistence.
STROLL AROUND THE OLD AND THE NEW MEDINAS
We like the Medinas of Casablanca because they’re far less touristic than other cities like Marrakech or Fes. It’s, therefore, more authentic, and you’ll still be able to find all kinds of things. From fresh products to colorful rugs, hand-painted pottery, metal lamps or spices, you can spend hours making discoveries.
RELAX AT “LE PARC DE LA LIGUE ARABE”
This beautiful park is located south of Place Mohammed II and there is a lovely palm tree avenue at the end. It’s the largest open place in the city and the perfect place to relax or sip a coffee in the cafés around.
ADMIRE THE SUNSET OVER THE OCEAN
Also, a very good plan is to come back to the Mosque at the end of the day, because you DON’T want to miss the sunset over the sea and the monument. It’s absolutely gorgeous and breathtaking, as you can see on the pictures! It’s our greatest experience in the city for sure!
DRINK (OR EAT) AT THE RICK’S CAFÉ
If you watched the movie Casablanca, you’ll want to eat in this beautiful restaurant. It has been built to recreate the café from the movie, and it’s just perfect. Believe us, you will have the impression to be straight into the movie. Make sure to book in advance, otherwise, it’s most likely to be full.
WHERE TO STAY ON A BUDGET
We personally stayed at the Medina Hostel and it’s the absolute cheapest that you will find. We were four, so we paid for a 4 bedrooms dorm. The price? 5 euros each. Yep. No joke.
That being said, such a cheap hostel is located in a poor area and is of course not very luxurious! Also, it’s not what you usually have in mind when you think about a hostel, as you are living in the house of a family! There are many rooms with other travelers, and you share a common kitchen.
We were very surprised at first, but the hosts were lovely, and our stay ended up being enjoyable. But let’s be clear here, it’s for the adventurous souls who are looking for cost savings above everything else!
Have you been to Casablanca? Let us know your must-see in the comments below!
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