Casablanca or just Casa is not a place you want to visit if you can avoid it. It is not particularly pretty and has nothing that can be call a must-see. It is just the economic center of the country. Many travelers end up here because of the flights but if you have the chance to flight straight to Marrakech I would recommend it. People spending 24 hours here can kill some time with the following attractions.
Hassan II Mosque is the main attraction of Casablanca.
It’s the second largest mosque in Africa. It’s best to come in the afternoon then go to the Sky 28 (restaurant with great views) for sunset but if you don’t want to spend money on it then stay at the mosque for sunset. I recommend taking taxi to get here and back.
Sky 28 is a restaurant (pub!) with the best views of Casablanca. It could be called “the viewpoint of the Mosque”. It is located on the 28th floor of the tallest building in town. It is part of the Kenzi Tower Hotel.
Food takes long time to be ready but you come here for the view more than the food so it shouldn’t be a problem. They do sell alcohol which is not cheap in Morocco but here it’s even more expensive.
If you decide to dine here you are looking at a 40-50 USD/pp bill or you can get some light food / snacks (~10 USD) to share and some drinks. The local wine (yes! Morocco produce alcoholic drinks) cost 30 USD the bottle and will last long enough to enjoy the sunset for about 25 USD/pp total.
Whatever you chose you must get a seat next or close to the window looking at the mosque otherwise it will be a waste of money. Make a reservation.
Sky 28
2~3 hours
everyday from 15 to 1
25 USD/pp for drinks and snacks 50 USD/pp for wine and dine
Around Cathédrale Sacré Coeur there are parks, government buildings, consulates and such. Good starting point for the day, moving forwards to Mohammed V Square then keep walk on the Boulevard Mohammed V, the most important street in town.
The boulevard has a very interesting design with the central area that looks a road but its only for the tram, followed by the road for vehicles then the sidewalk which is a wide gallery to get shelter from the sun and get tons of street sellers.
The boulevard starts on the United Nations Square near the medina (old town) then goes east not much (at least the interesting part) I would say not walking much further than the roundabout. Halfway you’ll find the Central Market which might be very interesting for some, not so much for others but without a doubt very local.
Medina: old town, usually fortified. Nowadays, it’s the historical neighbourhood of a town, known for its remarkable narrow paths like mazes.
The medina of Casablanca is pretty but nothing you won’t see 10 times prettier in Marrakech or Fes. Visit this one only if you have the time to spare. Don’t go too deep inside. The narrow paths can get very tricky and you might end up lost before you realize. Forget about relaying on the GPS.
Casablanca The Movie
Sad truth for the fan. The movie Casablanca was not filmed here. Not even one scene. It was all shot on a set in Hollywood. You will find Rick’s Café like on the movie but it was inspired from the movie, not the other way around. The city from the movie was inspired by the city Tangier on the north of the country.
Smoking As most places in Morocco, smoking is allowed indoors in public places and very common to find in Casablanca hotels. If this is a problem for you check with the hotel specially about public areas like their restaurant and reception.
Flights The easiest access to Morocco is through Casablanca airport. Some tour agencies arrange tours around the country straight from this airport so you can avoid the city.
Airport Taxi A private taxi from the airport to the hotel cost 20-25 USD fix rate. Hotels usually ask 35 USD for this services. There is a train service to town but it’s expensive.
Bus Stations (long distance) Casablanca Far [location] is the one in downtown. Recommended. Casablanca Maarif [location] is closer to Kenzi Tower Hotel / Sky 28.
(Petit) Taxi It saves plenty of time to get a taxi and get to your destination on time. Many drivers will stop but refuse take you because they are heading a different direction. Heavy traffic is common as well as taxi drivers picking up other passengers in the middle of your ride and detour to drop them off first. Hotels usually arrange transfers but the prices they ask is somewhere between 2 and 10 times more. From most hotels to CTM bus station should cost 2-3 USD. Downtown to Hassan II Mosque 3-5 USD. Always set the price before hand.
How long? 1 night.
When? Anytime of the year.
Itinerary 1. Cathédrale Sacré Coeur 2. Mohammed V Square 3. United Nations Square 4. Boulevard Mohammed V 5. Central Market 6. Medina? 7. Hassan II Mosque 8. Sky 28 (sunset)
Odyssee Center HotelBoarding with newspapersDirection of MeccaNight landscape of Casablanca
Best of Morocco
Best trips Morocco Loop
Best places Casablanca | Marrakech | Essaouira | Merzouga | Fez | Chefchaouen
Best local food Tagine | Couscous | Kefta | Bastilla Lamb | Camel
Best local drinks Mint tea | Coffee
Best experiences Stay at a Riad | Marrakech or Fes Ride a Camel | On the way to the desert camp Souk market | Marrakech pretty | Fes more genuine Hammam (Turkish bath) | At a nice hotel
Dictionary Medina: old town, usually fortified. Nowadays it’s basically the historical neighbourhood of a town. Known for its remarkable narrow paths like mazes. Bab: gate to the enter the medina. Souk: market. Hammam: Turkish bath. Dirham: local currency MAD: symbol code for Moroccan Dirham
Lodging types Riad: moroccan style house with a garden in the middle. Common type of lodging and best one. Must stay at a very nice one at least once. Desert Camp: a series of tent set up on the desert as the Berber people used to lived. Touristic camps are built into the place with infrastructure, cannot move them. Hotels (internationals) are not recommended except for Casablanca. Hook up warning It is illegal to share a hotel room with a person the opposite sex for Moroccan people unless they are married. Hotels ask about married certificate. Foreigners are not affected by this law.
Smoking allowed in-doors At hotels, coffee shops, bars… Be careful choosing a hotel specially in business cities if you mind the smoke.
Alcohol is legal But needs to be bought and drink at one of the few licensed places (important hotels, luxury bars/restaurants). Starting prices: 5 USD for a 330ml beer | 15 USD for a 750ml bottle of wine.
Local food You won’t find pork because of religious reasons. Beef is more common but the prize on red meat goes to lamb which is very tasty and affordable. You can find camel meat in some restaurants. Tagine: stew of spiced meat and/or vegetables served in a shallow earthenware cooking dish with a conical lid. Couscous: crushed durum wheat semolina served with vegetables and or meat on a tigine dish. Kefta: seasoned ground meat. Serve as brochettes or as meatballs on a tagine. Bastilla: sweet, savory meat or fish pie. Mint tea: the most popular tea here.
Dress code Women don’t have to cover their faces but they should not show too much leg (above the knee) shoulder or cleavage. Should not be a problem to wear bikini in most touristic hotels or riads.
Gender differences The local culture won’t apply to you as a tourist. Foreign women just need to mind the dress code and avoid siting on those old coffee shop where only men go. Gay and lesbian As a muslim country it is not accepted. Avoid showing affection in public.
Safety Each town is different but one thing is for sure, the old towns look way more scary than they actually are. Scams If someone offers to guide you to your hotel -specially kids and teenagers- once you arrive to your destination they will try to charge you crazy amounts of money. The point is to make the victim feels they are been helped just with direction and showing the way but once the guiding is done the extortion starts. Just reject these “kind” offers or settle a price beforehand.
Money Moroccan Dirham [MAD] official. Euro [EUR] accepted everywhere. 1 EUR = 10 MAD (standard street rate) Cash only. Hard to find any place to pay with card except hotels.
Be prepared to bargain for almost everything, taxis, tours, guides, products. No need on hotels reservations or restaurants which usually have written price or bus tickets.
Electricity European Plug [Types C = 2 rounded pins] 220V.
Getting to Morocco Flight | Casablanca is the main hub. Marrakech is the better option but harder to find international flights. Ferry | From Tarifa (Spain) to Tanger (Morocco).
Moving around Morocco Trains | Said to be the best option but lacks the infrastructure to connect touristic towns. Buses | Best way. Two main companies: CTM and Supratours. Usually they have separate bus stations. Supratours don’t sell or show online itineraries. CTM do but most people cannot buy the ticket online (without a Moroccan credit card) but you can check the schedule. Buy the ticket in person at the station 24 hours earlier. Tickets sells out for the same day easy. Grand Taxi | It looks like a taxi, takes passengers to other towns. Basically a bus that looks like a taxi. Cannot take passengers within the city. Petit Taxi | The “common” taxi that serves passengers within the city and cannot go further. Won’t go inside the medina. They will drop you off at the wall’s gates where you can find cart pushers who will carry your luggage and guide you to your hotel. Private Driver | 100€ per day which includes car, fuel, driver, his food and his hotel. Same price for a minivan as for a 4×4. Make sure to get the 4×4 which is way more confortable.
