Published: Nov 14, 2019
Updated: Oct 10, 2024
Morocco has always been on my list when it came to traveling to Africa. So when I was invited to Morocco for a business trip, I was beyond elated! But when we think about Things to do in Casablanca, it becomes obvious that for many tourists, Casablanca is not the most “touristy”.
Compared to Marrakech and Fez that tend to attract thousands and millions of tourists every year, Casa (as we friendly call it in Africa) is the economic and business capital of Morocco, and home to the largest financial centers in Africa. Casablanca, as a business and corporate city, contributes to at least 50% of Morocco’s economy. That is its biggest pull. But if you’re visiting Casa for a business trip or you are on a layover, here is my favorite pick of the best things to do in Casablanca in 24 hours!
Table of Contents
First… Interesting Facts about Casablanca
- It is the largest city in Morocco (yes, bigger than Marrakech!)
- The marine port of Casablanca is the largest artificial port in the entire world!
- The movie called “Casablanca” was not even filmed in Casablanca.
- Casablanca used to be a safe harbour for pirates!
- The Hassan II Mosque, located in Casablanca, is the largest in Morocco and the 7th largest Mosque in the world
Now, a little bit of History…
The Casablanca that we see today was originally founded in the 7th century BC, by Berbers (indigenous ethnic groups in North Africa). They believed that the city was the most prosperous in the continent, because of its amazingly fertile land. Back then, Casablanca was called “Anfa”, and this appellation is still seen today in old manuscripts and paintings. This Berber kingdom was conquered by Arab tribes in the 12th century, and this is how the Arab culture became widespread in the city. But after a popular revolt in 1965 (the Moroccan revolt), the city became independent again.
Anfa began to rebuild, and became a very sought-after maritime port in the region (and a safe haven for pirates!) But just as the city started to rise in power, it became a target for the Portuguese who bombarded the town and led to its destruction. With Anfa weakened and unable to stand, the Portuguese colonial forces used the ruins of Anfa to rebuild a new city. They called it “Casa Branca”(Which means White House). But in the midst of all the shifts in colonial governance and non man-made disasters (Casablanca earthquake), the city rose into the beautiful fortress that it is today.
Top things to do in Casablanca can easily be explored within a day. So if you’re traveling to Casablanca on a layover or only have 24 hours in hand, here is a suggested itinerary!
Things to do in Casablanca:10:00 AM – Begin at the Casablanca Cathedral
(Estimated duration: 30 mns)
The Casablanca Cathedral, which was formerly a catholic church, is now a popular cultural center opened to all visitors, and one of the top things to do in Casablanca. The church ceased its religious activities after Casa obtained its independence. As of April 2019, the church was undergoing renovation. But even if you swing by, you can appreciate its gothic revival architecture style. Next, head over the ….
Things to do in Casablanca: 10:30 AM – Make a stop at the Place Mohammed V.
(Estimated duration: 30 mns)
Place Mohammed V (Mohammed V plaza) is the central plaza in the city, surrounded by administrative buildings. It is decorated by an appealing water fountain and palm trees, ideal for relaxation on a hot summer day. During your visit to Casablanca, it is worth the stop if you want to take a quick picture or enjoy a refreshing drink.
Things to do in Casablanca: 11:00 AM – Get Lost in the Old Medina
(Estimated duration: 1 hour)
After leaving the Place Mohammed V, head over to the famous “Old Medina” in Casablanca! Because of Portuguese, Spanish and French colonial influences in Casablanca, the city has somewhat been transformed. But if you want to get a taste of the original life in Casablanca, then the Old Medina is the perfect place to go. The medina is not as vibrant or dynamic as other medinas in Morocco, but definitely interesting on its own, as one of the top things to do in Casablanca. You can walk around, pick up a few souvenirs, converse with local merchants and…
Things to do in Casablanca: 12:00 PM – Go Hunting for Essential Oils
(Estimated duration: 1 hour)
We know that Morocco is home to Argan, from which is derived Argan oil. And whilst Argan oil (and olive oil) are traditionally made in other cities like Fes, they are sold throughout the country, even in Casablanca. Stop by a local merchant and learn about the oil extraction process. But whatever you do, make sure you don’t leave the country without an authentic bottle of argan oil!
Things to do in Casablanca: 1:00 PM – Take a tour of the Hassan II Mosque
(Estimated duration: 2:30 hours)
The Old Medina is a few minutes away from the Hassan II Mosque, so this picturesque building would naturally be the next (and perhaps the most impressive) thing to do in Casablanca during your Morocco trip. This mosque, whose walls are made of hand-crafted marble, is exactly what King Hassan II had wanted it to be: “a large, fine building of which it can be proud until the end of time … “. The building was commissioned by King Hassan II after the death of King Mohammed V in 1961.
In his own words, he wanted it to be the most ambitious structure ever built in Morocco. Today, it is one of the top sight to see and best thing to do in Casablanca. The Hassan II Mosque was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau (who once lived in Morocco), and was built by the civil engineer group Bouygues. This impressive building was completed on August 30th, 1993; and has been a point of attraction for tourists from around the world ever since. Moreover, it can hold up to 100 000 worshippers at once (20 000 inside and 80 000 on the Mosque grounds).
Things to do in Casablanca: 3:30 PM – Devour an Assortment of Traditional dishes
(Estimated duration: 2:30 hours)
After your tour of the Hassan II Mosque, your next natural inclination would probably be to take a break, stop somewhere and grab a bite (as it was for me!). So we went to a restaurant on La Corniche (sea side) to conclude our eventful day in Casablanca. Because food is so affordable in Morocco, you can definitely afford a full course meal at any restaurant. The cost for our entire meal (made of mouth-watering appetizers, a variety of tajines, delicious cocktails and chocolate crepes for dessert) was about 700 Dirhams (approximately 74 USD, for two). And this is considering that Casablanca is one of the most expensive cities in Morocco.
Additional Information you might find useful before planning your trip to Casablanca
Currency in Morocco: in Morocco, the official currency is the Dirham. 10 Dirhams = 1 Euro/1 USD more or less. When you arrive in Casablanca, I recommend that you change your money at the airport (at least 100 USD if possible). This will allow you to pay for your first expenses (airport taxi ride, first meals, etc.)
Visa Requirements for Morocco: I come from a country where I need a visa to travel to (almost) everywhere. In fact, I constantly joke with my friends, saying that the only place I don’t need a visa to travel to is my living room. As a result of this, the first reason I always ask myself before picking a travel destination is “Where do I get the visa”. Here are the general visa requirements for nationals of the following countries.
If you are not sure about whether or not you need a visa to visit Morocco, check with the Moroccan Embassy/Consulate in your country or region. I usually google the following: “Embassy of xxx country in xxxx”. In this case, I searched “Embassy of Morocco in the Caribbean” (because I knew that there was none in Dominica). I applied for my visa at the embassy of Morocco in St Lucia.
Languages in Morocco: the official languages in Morocco are Modern Standard Arabic and Berber (as first languages), and French (as a second language). However, due to colonial history, a few moroccans also speak English and Spanish. I personally felt comfortable traveling there because I am a native French speaker. However, because most hotels have English speaking personnel.
Transportation in Casablanca:
- Airport Taxis: airport taxis charge a flat rate for a one-way ride from the Mohammed V International Airport to downtown Casablanca. The cost is 300 Dirhams (approx. 30 USD/EUR). Then, once you exit the airport, you will see airport-regulated taxi operators waiting at the front, and they are safe to board. This is very important to know, because some other taxi drivers will try to get you to go with them as soon as you clear your bags at the baggage terminal. I was almost a victim of this!
- Petits Taxis: in the city, a lot of locals and tourists use small taxis (red in color). They are very affordable and very practical. For about 5 EUR/USD (50 Dirhams), you can easily go on a 20-30 mns ride at night.
Where to eat in Casablanca: personally, I believe any restaurant that you pick in the city would be a great choice. I did not have any special requirements when looking for a place to eat. The only thing I wanted to eat in Casablanca was local food. And boy, was I served. I can’t remember the name of the seaside restaurant we opted for at La Corniche, but it was simply delicious. If you’re in doubt, ask your hotel for recommendations on the best places to eat in Casablanca.
Where to sleep in Casablanca: because Casablanca is such a business city, there are so many amazing hotels you can find. During my stay (business trip), I stayed at the Novotel Casablanca City Center (part of the Accor Hotel Group). There are many reasons why this hotel was one of my top picks: it was close to the city center (literally 5-min walk), the decor at the reception was vibrant, the bed was comfortable and the breakfast was simply amazing! I also stayed at the Ibis Casa-Voyageurs. It was very convenient because of its proximity to the Casablanca train station (very useful as I was planning to travel to Marrakech the next day). Moreover, the hotel was very quiet, with a modern, colorful and stylish decor. And of course, the breakfast: I could not get enough!
How to be safe in Casablanca:
“Be careful” is probably the expression I heard the most when I told people about my plans of traveling to Morocco for a business trip. Because of how repetitive that warning was, I felt like as a foreigner, I would be a target of robberies, pick-pocketing and any other negative experience possible. And there is nothing worse than feeling that way, especially for a country or city you’ve always wanted to visit. So when visiting Casablanca, my word of advice is going to be this: “be as careful as you are when visiting other countries”. Walking around the city and traveling to tourist areas is very safe. If you are with a tour guide (or a local), you tend to feel a bit more secure than walking alone. Moreover, respect general safety rules such as:
- Avoid brandishing gaudy jewelry or equipment,
- Refrain from walking in poorly lit areas at night,
- Don’t walk alone at night (for both men and women),
- Always have the contact number of your hotel (or a local if you know any) in case of emergencies.
These are the same general safety rules that I would apply when visiting any other country, be it in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean or the Americas.
I hope that you found this Casablanca travel guide helpful! Feel free to drop a comment below with any questions that you have.
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