Discovering...
Weekend Itinerary
2 Days in Casablanca
Africa's largest mosque, world-class Art Deco architecture, Atlantic beaches, and Morocco's best seafood — the real Casablanca beyond the movie.
Quick Info
Budget: 500–1,000 MAD/day
Walking: 8–10 km/day
Transport: Tram + taxis
Day 1 — Mosque, Medina & Coast
Hassan II Mosque, Habous Quarter, Corniche, Rick's Café
08:30
Breakfast at Café la Sqala
45 min 50–80 MAD
Start at this charming café inside an 18th-century fortified bastion near the old medina. The garden courtyard, filled with bougainvillea and jasmine, feels like a hidden oasis. Excellent msemen, eggs, fresh juice, and the best coffee in the neighbourhood.
💡 Book ahead for weekend brunch — it fills up💡 The garden courtyard is the best seating area
09:30
Hassan II Mosque
1.5 hours 130 MAD (guided tour)
The unmissable centrepiece of Casablanca. Africa's largest mosque rises on a promontory over the Atlantic, with the world's tallest minaret (210 m). The interior is breathtaking — 78 granite columns, a retractable roof, Italian marble, hand-carved zellige, and heated floors. The guided tour covers the main prayer hall, ablution rooms, and hammam.
💡 9 AM and 10 AM tours are less crowded💡 Photography allowed except during prayer💡 The esplanade around the mosque is worth 30 min on its own💡 Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees
11:00
Old Medina Walk
1 hour Free
Casa's compact old medina is nothing like Fes or Marrakech — it's small, manageable, and surprisingly calm. Walk from the mosque through Bab Marrakech into narrow lanes lined with spice shops, cafés, and fabric stores. The Clock Tower at the entrance and the 18th-century ramparts frame the quarter.
💡 Much calmer than Fes or Marrakech medinas💡 The fabric souk has excellent deals💡 Look up — the architecture mixes Moorish and Art Deco
12:00
Habous Quarter (New Medina)
1 hour Free (browsing)
Built by the French in the 1930s as a "modern medina," the Habous Quarter combines French urban planning with Moroccan architecture. Browse the olive shops, pastry stalls, and the famous Patisserie Bennis for Moroccan sweets. The Mahkama du Pacha courthouse (if open) is architecturally stunning.
💡 Patisserie Bennis is legendary — try the cornes de gazelle💡 The Mahkama du Pacha has extraordinary carved plaster (ask the guard)💡 Best place in Casa to buy olives and argan oil
13:00
Lunch at Restaurant du Port
1 hour 80–150 MAD
Head to the fishing port area for the freshest seafood in Casablanca. The row of restaurants beside the port serves grilled sardines, fried calamari, shrimp tagine, and the catch of the day. Simple, delicious, and incredibly fresh — you'll see the boats that caught your lunch.
💡 The restaurants all serve similar menus — pick one that's busy💡 Grilled sardines with chermoula is the classic order💡 Fritura mixta (mixed fried seafood) for around 70 MAD is excellent
14:30
Corniche Beach Walk
1.5 hours Free
Walk the Ain Diab Corniche — Casablanca's beachfront promenade stretching several kilometres along the Atlantic. Beach clubs, surf spots, and ocean pools line the coast. In summer, the beaches are packed with locals. In cooler months, the walk is peaceful with crashing waves.
💡 The public beach near the lighthouse is the most photogenic💡 Ain Diab has beach clubs with pools (100–200 MAD day pass)💡 Great surfing at the north end near the lighthouse
16:00
Rick's Café
1 hour 80–150 MAD
Inspired by the 1942 film Casablanca, Rick's Café recreates the movie's atmosphere in a beautifully restored riad. The interior is pure 1940s — arched doorways, a piano bar, brass lamps, and a courtyard fountain. Come for cocktails and the atmosphere; the food is decent but secondary to the experience.
💡 Reservations recommended for dinner💡 The piano player knows "As Time Goes By" — you don't need to ask💡 Cocktails 80–120 MAD, dinner mains 120–200 MAD
17:30
Sunset at the Mosque Esplanade
1 hour Free
Return to Hassan II Mosque for sunset — the golden hour light on the white granite is extraordinary, and the Atlantic waves crashing below the esplanade add drama. Join the locals who gather here every evening for promenading, socialising, and watching the sun drop into the ocean.
💡 Best sunset photos from the south side of the esplanade💡 Bring a jacket — the ocean breeze picks up at sunset
Day 2 — Art Deco & Modern Casa
Architecture walk, Central Market, galleries, shopping
09:00
Art Deco Downtown Walk
2 hours Free
Casablanca has one of the world's finest collections of Art Deco architecture. Walk from Place Mohammed V along Boulevard Mohammed V, spotting landmark buildings: the Wilaya (prefecture), the Central Post Office, Cinéma Rialto, Hotel Lincoln, and the Sacré-Cœur Cathedral (now a cultural centre). The geometric facades, ornamental ironwork, and Mauresque details are unique.
💡 Download a free Art Deco walking map from the Casa Mémoire website💡 The Central Post Office interior is worth stepping inside💡 The Sacré-Cœur is open as a cultural centre — climb for city views
11:00
Central Market (Marché Central)
45 min 20–50 MAD (snacks)
This 1917 market is Casablanca's food heart. Stalls overflow with seafood on ice, towers of spices, fresh flowers, olives, and Moroccan pastries. The fishmongers will grill your purchase on the spot. An authentic slice of Casablanca daily life among professionals and housewives shopping for the day.
💡 The fishmonger grills are incredible value💡 Morning is the most lively time💡 Fresh flower stalls at the entrance are photogenic
11:45
Villa des Arts
45 min 30 MAD
This 1934 Art Deco villa houses rotating exhibitions of Moroccan contemporary art. The building alone — with its curved balconies and period details — justifies a visit. Exhibitions change frequently, showcasing painting, photography, and installation work by Moroccan and North African artists.
💡 Check their website for current exhibitions💡 The garden café is a quiet retreat
12:30
Lunch in Gauthier
1 hour 80–150 MAD
The Gauthier neighbourhood is Casablanca's dining hotspot. Choose from upscale Moroccan (La Sqala II), French bistro (Le Petit Rocher), or contemporary fusion. This is where Casablancais professionals lunch — the food scene rivals Marrakech but with zero tourist markup.
💡 Gauthier is also the best neighbourhood for evening dining💡 Many restaurants offer lunch formulas (set menu) at good prices
13:30
Morocco Mall & Ain Diab
2 hours Varies
Africa's largest shopping mall includes a massive aquarium, an IMAX cinema, an ice rink, and hundreds of stores. Even if you're not shopping, the architecture and scale are impressive. Alternatively, spend this time at the Ain Diab beach clubs — many have ocean-view pools and loungers.
💡 The aquarium (50 MAD) is worth it if you're with children💡 Taxis from downtown to the mall are 30–40 MAD💡 Skip the mall if you prefer beach time at Ain Diab
15:30
Twin Centre & Bourgogne
1 hour Free
Walk through Casablanca's modern business district. The Twin Centre towers mark the city's commercial heart. The neighbouring Bourgogne district has excellent cafés and a more contemporary, European feel — this is the Casablanca that residents know, beyond the tourist highlights.
💡 The rooftop bar at Hotel Kenzi Tower has panoramic views💡 Bourgogne cafés are great for people-watching
16:30
Sacré-Cœur Cultural Centre
30 min 20 MAD
This former Catholic cathedral, built in 1930 in Art Deco-Mauresque style, is now a cultural centre. The twin towers offer panoramic city views, and the interior — stripped of religious furnishings — has an eerie, atmospheric beauty. One of Casablanca's most photogenic buildings.
💡 Ask about climbing the towers — views are excellent💡 The stained glass windows are original 1930s
17:00
Farewell at Café Panoramique
1 hour 30–60 MAD
End your Casablanca weekend at a rooftop café. Hotel Kenzi Tower's Sky 28 or the Hyatt Regency terrace both offer sweeping views of the city and ocean. Mint tea, Moroccan pastries, and the Atlantic sunset — the perfect finale.
💡 Sky 28 is best for a cocktail with a view💡 The Atlantic sunset from any Corniche rooftop is spectacular
Plan it with a local expert
Travel Morocco with Serenity Morocco Tours
Crafting extraordinary journeys through Morocco's timeless landscapes. 100% private journeys, handcrafted around you.
ONMT Licensed 100% Private Tours 100% private tours since 2018
from $2,011 5 days Marrakech → Erg Chebbi
Sahara Desert Luxury Expedition
from $2,054 7 days Marrakech · Fes · Meknes · Rabat
Essential Morocco: Imperial Cities Circuit
from $5,978 14 days Full-country circuit
Sahara to Sea: Morocco Complete
More Casablanca Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 2 days enough for Casablanca?
Yes — 2 days covers all the highlights comfortably. Day 1 handles Hassan II Mosque, the old medina, and Habous Quarter, while Day 2 covers the Art Deco downtown, Corniche, and shopping. Many visitors skip Casablanca entirely, which is a mistake — the mosque alone is worth a full day.
Can non-Muslims enter Hassan II Mosque?
Yes — Hassan II Mosque is one of the very few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. Guided tours run at 9 AM, 10 AM, 11 AM, and 2 PM (Saturday–Thursday). Friday hours are limited. Entry costs 130 MAD for adults. Book ahead or arrive 15 minutes early. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees must be covered.
What is the best area to stay in Casablanca?
For first-time visitors, the area around Boulevard Mohammed V and Place Mohammed V puts you in the heart of the Art Deco district, walking distance to the medina and trains. The Corniche (Ain Diab) is best for beach access and resort-style stays. Gauthier/Racine is the upscale residential district with excellent restaurants and nightlife.
How do I get from Casablanca airport to the city?
The train from Mohammed V Airport to Casa-Voyageurs station takes 50 minutes and costs 60 MAD. Trains run every hour from 6 AM to midnight. Taxis from the airport cost 250–350 MAD. The train is reliable and drops you in the city centre — it's the best option for most travellers.