One Day in Casablanca

Start at Morocco's most spectacular building. The Hassan II Mosque is the largest in Africa and the 7th largest in the world, built partly over the Atlantic Ocean. Non-Muslim visitors can enter on guided tours (9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00). The interior is breathtaking — hand-carved marble, cedar ceilings, and a retractable roof.

• Book the 9 AM tour to beat crowds
• Dress modestly (knees and shoulders covered)
• Allow 15 minutes for shoe removal and security
• The esplanade outside is free to visit anytime — great for photos

Walk along the corniche promenade from the mosque area towards the city centre. The Atlantic coast stretches out to your left, and you pass the Ain Diab beach clubs. It is not the most scenic walk — Casablanca is urban, not picturesque — but it shows the city's modern, coastal character.

• Skip this if short on time — it is pleasant but not essential
• The beach clubs are better for swimming than the public beaches
• Take a taxi if you prefer (20 MAD to city centre)

Walk through Casablanca's stunning Art Deco district around Boulevard Mohammed V. Built during the French Protectorate (1912–1956), this is one of the finest collections of Art Deco architecture in the world — comparable to Miami or Mumbai. Look up at the facades: geometric patterns, colourful tiles, and ornate ironwork.

• The best buildings are on Boulevard Mohammed V and surrounding streets
• Place Mohammed V is the centrepiece — a grand colonial square
• The Central Post Office is a beautiful example of Neo-Moorish Art Deco
• Architecture tours are available (book online) if you want expert commentary

The Marché Central is Casablanca's main market — a covered hall with fish stalls, fruit vendors, spice sellers, and flower merchants. It is not a tourist market but a working food market. The fish section is extraordinary: piles of sardines, swordfish, sea bream, and lobster.

• The oyster and seafood stalls at the back sell fresh oysters (from 30 MAD/dozen)
• Buy fresh juice from the fruit vendors (10–15 MAD)
• The market closes in the early afternoon — visit before 1 PM

Casablanca's Old Medina is small and manageable — nothing like the labyrinthine medinas of Fes or Marrakech. It was largely rebuilt after the French colonial era and has a more commercial, less atmospheric character. Walk through, browse the shops, and exit on the other side.

• Don't set your expectations by Fes/Marrakech standards — this is different
• The sqala (fortified wall) on the western edge has ocean views
• Haggling is expected but prices are lower than in tourist cities

Casablanca has Morocco's best restaurant scene outside Marrakech. For a quintessential experience, head to La Sqala — a restaurant in a former 18th-century fortification with a beautiful garden courtyard. For seafood, try the restaurants around the port. For budget, eat at the grilled-fish stalls near the Central Market.

• La Sqala (garden setting, excellent pastilla) — the iconic Casablanca lunch
• Port restaurants for fresh fish — choose the one with the most locals
• Budget option: Central Market fish stalls grill your selection for 30–50 MAD

Built by the French in the 1930s as a "model medina", Quartier Habous blends Moroccan architecture with French urban planning. Arcaded streets, fountains, and craft shops — all in an orderly grid. The Royal Palace is here (exterior only). The patisseries of Habous are famous citywide.

• Buy pastries at Pâtisserie Bennis — the most famous in Casablanca
• The Mahkama du Pacha courthouse is an architectural wonder (ask at the door to peek inside)
• Olive sellers here have excellent quality at fair prices

Morocco's premier modern art museum, opened in 2014. The collection spans Moroccan art from the early 20th century to today — painting, sculpture, photography, and installation. A counterpoint to the traditional arts you see elsewhere in Morocco.

• The building itself is architecturally interesting — minimalist and modern
• Temporary exhibitions change regularly — check what's on
• Skip if you are short on time — the mosque and Art Deco are higher priority

Rest your feet at one of Casablanca's cafes. For atmosphere, try Café de France on Place des Nations Unies. For specialty coffee, Grind Coffee in the city centre. For the classic Casablanca experience, sit at any boulevard cafe and watch the city rush past.

• Casablanca's cafe culture is more European than other Moroccan cities
• The noss-noss (half espresso, half steamed milk) is the local drink
• Boulevard cafes charge a terrace premium — worth it for the people-watching

End your day at Rick's Café — the real-life recreation of the bar from the 1942 film "Casablanca" (which was actually filmed in Hollywood). The bar is atmospheric, with live piano, Art Deco furnishings, and a courtyard. Yes, it is touristy. Yes, it is worth it. Order a cocktail, sit under the ceiling fans, and play it again.

• Reservations recommended for dinner but the bar is usually walk-in
• The cocktails are well-made and the food is good (if pricey)
• The pianist plays recognizable standards — including "As Time Goes By"
• Go for a drink rather than dinner to keep costs reasonable