Casablanca Travel Guide: Hassan II Mosque, Corniche & Art Deco
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and business capital, a modern, fast-moving port with a surprising stock of Art Deco architecture and one of the world's great mosques. It is not a typical postcard city, but it is the best place to understand modern Morocco and most flights land here.
At a glance
- Population
- About 3.4 million in the city
- Highlight
- Hassan II Mosque
- Best for
- Architecture, food, a taste of modern Morocco
- Allow
- 1 to 2 days
- Airport
- Mohammed V (CMN)
In this guide
Top things to do
The Hassan II Mosque
Completed in 1993 and built partly over the Atlantic, this is the largest mosque in Morocco and one of the biggest in the world, with a 210-metre minaret. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can visit on a guided tour. Read our full Hassan II Mosque guide.
Art Deco and the French protectorate
Between the 1920s and 1950s French planners built a downtown of Art Deco and neo-Moorish buildings around Place Mohammed V and Boulevard Mohammed V. Walking tours and heritage associations can help you spot the best facades. See our history of Morocco for context.
The Habous quarter
The “new medina” was built in the 1920s as a planned traditional quarter with arcaded streets, bookshops, pastry stores and the Mahkama du Pacha, a decorated palace of justice.
La Corniche and Ain Diab
The seafront promenade has beach clubs, restaurants and cafes. It is the place to relax, especially on summer evenings.
Rick's Cafe and old Casablanca
The 1942 film Casablanca was shot in Hollywood, but Rick's Cafe, opened in 2004, recreates the film's atmosphere in a restored house near the old medina.
Eating in Casablanca
The Central Market and port-side restaurants serve excellent grilled fish and seafood. The city also has the best range of international restaurants and cafes in Morocco. For Moroccan classics see our food guide.
Getting around
Casablanca has a tram network and red petit taxis (always ask for the meter). The Al Boraq high-speed train runs from Casablanca to Rabat and Tangier, and regular trains reach Marrakech in around three hours, so Casablanca is a good arrival or departure point. Read more in getting around Morocco.
Is Casablanca worth visiting?
If you only have a week, most travellers see the mosque and move on to Rabat, Fes or Marrakech. Stay longer if you love architecture, food and modern city life, or want to see the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, the only Jewish museum in the Arab world.
A one-day plan for Casablanca
Take a morning guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque, then drive along the Corniche to Ain Diab for lunch. In the afternoon, explore the Art Deco centre around Place Mohammed V, the Habous quarter and the old medina. Finish with dinner in Maarif or at a seafood restaurant by the port.
Where to stay
Business hotels cluster in the centre, boutique guesthouses and restored villas lie in the Maarif and Gauthier districts, and beach hotels sit along the Corniche. Rooms are often cheaper on weekends, when business travel is low.
Frequently asked questions
What is Casablanca known for?
Casablanca is known for the Hassan II Mosque, its Art Deco architecture, its busy port and its role as Morocco's financial and business capital.
Can you visit the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes, through guided tours for non-Muslims. Tours run most days outside prayer times; check current schedules and ticket rules before you go.
Is Casablanca worth a stop?
One day is enough for the mosque and downtown. Stay longer for food, architecture and a sense of modern Morocco.