Everything to know about Casablanca
More than a transit point for your Moroccan visit, Casablanca offers visitors a unique glimpse of the past in this otherwise modern city.
Casablanca is Morocco's largest and most modern city and a commerce hub. You'll find a mix of old and new scattered across the city from bars and nightclubs to the traditional medina and an urban beach to relax when you need to kick back.
When to Go
Casablanca's winters are rainy but mild thanks to its position on the Atlantic coast. For the best weather visit in April/May or September/October when you'll get the sun with less chance of poor weather.
Celebrate
The Mawazine Festival just north of Casablanca in Rabat is a major draw featuring musicians from all over the world in concerts that are both free and open to the public as well as ticketed. The concert is usually held annually in June.
What to Eat
Not surprisingly, fish and seafood make up a big part of Casablanca's culinary flavor. Try a fish tajine with peppers and tomatoes or a grilled or fried mixed seafood plate typically served with lemon wedges and olives.
Souvenir to Take Home
For a quirky souvenir that will tell all your friends you were in Casablanca try a Rick's Café t-shirt. While there never was a Rick's Café in Casablanca, the iconic 1940s movie brought it to life and years later (2004) a restaurant with the same name opened.
Sustainable Travel Tip
Use the tram. The Casablanca Tramway is a public transportation system that is very affordable and goes to most places tourists would want to visit. It's much more environmentally friendly than using taxis to get around and will help you avoid the heavily trafficked roadways.
- Nat Geo Expeditions
Instagram-Worthy View
The gem of Casablanca is the Hassan II Mosque, an amazing example of Moroccan architecture and design. Beautifully situated along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, you can also visit inside. Just remember to be considerate with how you dress and act as it is a religious site. Women should take care to cover their heads and shoulders and wear pants or dresses that go beyond the knees. Men should wear (at a minimum) a T-shirt and shorts that reach the knees or lower.
