Known for
Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca is a blend of Art Deco, modernity and tradition, dominated by the majestic Hassan II Mosque on the ocean.
What to see
The world’s 3rd-largest mosque, with a 210 m minaret, partly built over the ocean.
💡 Open to guided tours outside prayer times.
A "new" medina from the 1930s blending Moorish style with French town planning.
A seafront promenade with cafés, beaches and nightlife.
What to do
One of the world’s largest mosques, over the ocean.
Street food, central market and pastries with a local.
Capital or Portuguese city, easy by train.
Where to eat
🍽️ French-Moroccan cuisine
Historic city-centre setting.
🍽️ Seafood platter
Facing the ocean in Aïn Diab.
🍽️ Sandwiches, skewers
Fast and cheap in the city centre.
Where to stay & book
Close to the stations and the tram.
Seaside, restaurants and nightlife.
Handy for a business or family stay.
Climate & temperature
☀️ Summer: Summer: 24 to 28 °C, humid on the coast.
❄️ Winter: Winter: 16 to 18 °C, rainy.
✅ Best time: April-June and September-October.
🧴 Big city: watch out for dense traffic. · Coastal humidity makes the heat feel heavier. · Rain possible in winter: bring an umbrella.
🎒 City outfit · Umbrella (winter) · Comfortable shoes · Light jacket
Safety & tips
💡 Local tip: The guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque (one of the few open to non-Muslims) is truly worth it. Book the morning slot.
Someone approaches you, claims your route is closed, or offers to guide you 'for free' to a square or landmark. Once there, they demand money, sometimes insistently.
✅ Refuse politely but firmly ('la, choukran' = no thanks) and keep walking. Use an offline map. A real guide carries an official badge. Never follow anyone who insists.
The driver refuses to turn on the meter ('it's broken') and then announces an inflated fare on arrival, sometimes 3 to 5 times the normal price.
✅ Ask for the meter before getting in. If the meter 'doesn't work', step out and simply take the next taxi — there are always others. If the driver insists or threatens you, call the police (19). Without a meter, agree on the price IN ADVANCE and ask your riad about the normal fare. Ride-hailing apps (inDrive, Careem) show the price upfront and avoid any dispute.
A woman grabs your hand and starts a henna tattoo 'as a gift', then demands a high price. Some black hennas contain allergy-triggering additives.
✅ Keep your hands close to you and refuse any contact. Never hold out your hand. Walk away at the very first approach.