Casablanca-Settat blends Atlantic breezes with big-city buzz. Casablanca, Morocco’s economic heart, grew from a small port called Anfa into a modern metropolis, famed for its oceanfront Hassan II Mosque and 20th‑century Art Deco streetscapes. It’s the rare city where a seafront minaret and neon-lit boulevards feel like natural neighbors.

Beyond the postcard skyline, you’ll find living neighborhoods: the Habous quarter (a 1930s “new medina”), lively markets, and a dining scene where grilled Atlantic seafood meets slow-simmered tagines. Coffee culture thrives, pastry counters gleam, and sunset strolls along the Corniche are a local ritual.

Practical notes: modest attire is required to visit the mosque; cash (MAD) is useful at markets; petit taxis are metered and the tram (T1, T2) is efficient. Casablanca’s culinary favorites—harira, pastilla, briouates, and fresh sole—are as memorable as its architecture.

Casablanca

Casablanca rewards short stays with heavyweight sights and easy coastal ambiance. Start at the ocean’s edge under the Hassan II Mosque’s soaring minaret, then wander Art Deco boulevards and leafy Gauthier cafés. Evenings belong to the Corniche: sunset, sea spray, and a table for fresh-caught fish.

For architecture lovers, downtown’s geometric facades, grand arcades, and vintage cinemas tell a glamorous 1930s story. Culture fans should not miss the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum (posters, jewelry, design) and the Morocco Jewish Museum—the only one of its kind in the Arab world.

• Where to stay: Aim for Gauthier/Racine (café culture, walkable), Maarif (shopping, tram access), or Ain Diab/Anfa (sea breeze and sunsets).
• Getting there: Fly into CMN (Mohammed V Intl). Search flights on Trip.com or compare with Kiwi.com. From CMN, the ONCF train runs to Casa Voyageurs (~35–45 min) and Casa Port; taxis are ~250–300 MAD to central districts depending on traffic.
• Getting around: Use petit taxis (ask to switch on the meter), ride-hailing apps (e.g., Heetch/Yassir), and the Casa Tramway (T1/T2) for quick hops across town.

Accommodation picks

• Hotels (all budgets): Browse and filter by neighborhood on Hotels.com — Casablanca.
• Apartments/VRBOs: For sea views in Anfa/Ain Diab or a Gauthier pied-à-terre near cafés, see VRBO — Casablanca.

Day 1: Arrival, Oceanfront Icons, and Sunset on the Corniche

Afternoon: Arrive in Casablanca and drop bags at your hotel. Head to the Hassan II Mosque, poised over the Atlantic with a glass floor peering to the sea. Guided visits run multiple times daily (not during prayer); dress modestly. Linger on the esplanade to admire cedar ceilings, zellige mosaics, and the 210‑meter minaret—the tallest in the world.

For a late lunch or pick‑me‑up, choose between La Sqala (a charming garden in a historic bastion; order briouates, zaalouk, and mint tea) or Bondi Coffee Kitchen (Ain Diab) for specialty coffee, smoothie bowls, and a light bite before sunset.

Evening: Stroll the Corniche Ain Diab as the sky turns tangerine. For aperitif-with-a-view, Sky 28 (rooftop lounge atop the Kenzi Tower) frames a sweeping skyline; at sea level, Le Cabestan pairs waves with oysters and grilled dorade.

Dinner options: - Rick’s Café re-creates the film’s 1940s mood with arches, piano tunes, and a solid Moroccan-meets-international menu (pastilla or lamb shank are standouts). - La Taverne du Dauphin near the center does pristine grilled sole, shrimp pil-pil, and platters of the day’s catch. - For classic Moroccan flavors and live oud, Basmane in Ain Diab serves fragrant tagines and couscous in a richly tiled dining room.

Day 2: Habous Quarter, Markets, and Art Deco Casablanca (Departure in the Afternoon)

Morning: Start in the Habous quarter, a 1930s “new medina” with serene arcades and well-organized souks. Snack on warm khobz and olives at the market, then pop into Pâtisserie Bennis Habous for gazelle horns, fekkas, and almond briouates—perfect edible souvenirs.

Architecture fans can pivot to Notre-Dame de Lourdes, a modernist church with soaring stained glass by Gabriel Loire, or try for a peek of the Mahkama du Pacha (a Hispano-Moorish administrative palace; access varies—ask on site about visiting hours). Coffee break at Bloom Specialty Coffee or Bondi Coffee Kitchen (Gauthier).

Afternoon: Make your way downtown for an Art Deco stroll along Boulevard Mohammed V and around Place Mohammed V. Look up for floral ironwork balconies, streamlined facades, and vintage cinemas like the Rialto. The reborn Lincoln Hotel (façade restored) nods to the city’s golden age.

Choose a culture stop: - The Abderrahman Slaoui Museum showcases Berber jewelry and luminous vintage travel posters. - The Morocco Jewish Museum (Oasis) traces centuries of Moroccan Jewish life with ritual objects and moving stories.

Lunch ideas before you depart: - Marché Central seafood stalls (try “Chez Michel et Hafida”): point to your fish, have it grilled, add tomato salad and fries. - Restaurant du Port de Pêche by the harbor for no-fuss freshness—calamari, sardines, or a mixed grill. - For refined Moroccan fare, Al Mounia serves a dignified couscous tfaya and lamb with prunes beneath carved-cedar ceilings.

Evening: If your flight is later, circle back to the Casablanca Marina for a last Atlantic sunset and mint tea. Pick up dates, argan oil, and spices in Habous or Gauthier delis. For dessert, Amandine pâtisserie has elegant tartlets and mille‑feuille, while Oliveri scoops old-school gelato before your ride to the airport or train.

Local tips

• Transit: Casa Tramway (T1/T2) is handy for hops between downtown, Anfa, and Ain Diab; buy tickets at platforms. For intercity travel, ONCF trains run frequently to Rabat (~1h), Tangier via Al Boraq high-speed (~2h), and Marrakech (~2h45–3h).
• Dining etiquette: Reservations help for dinner, especially at Rick’s Café and seaside spots on weekends. Alcohol is available at licensed venues; many restaurants are alcohol-free.
• Shopping: Fixed-price cooperatives in Habous are great for argan oil, ceramics, and brassware. Check that argan is cosmetic/culinary grade and labeled.

Optional add-ons if you’re continuing beyond Casablanca (bookable experiences that pair well with a longer Morocco route):

• Merzouga Camel Trekking & Overnight Desert Camp — Ride into Erg Chebbi for sunset and sleep under Saharan stars; ideal if you add 2–3 days for the desert leg.

  

• Ouarzazate ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ Private Full-Day Tour with Ait Ben Haddou — Discover kasbahs and film locations beyond the High Atlas on a day dedicated to desert architecture.

  

• Essaouira Day Trip from Marrakech — If your itinerary continues via Marrakech, add a breezy Atlantic escape for ramparts, seafood, and Gnawa rhythms.

  

Book your travel

• Flights to/from Casablanca on Trip.com
• Compare air options on Kiwi.com
• Find hotels in Casablanca (Hotels.com)
• Browse apartments in Casablanca (VRBO)

In two days, Casablanca gives you Morocco’s grand scale and daily rhythm: the Atlantic’s roar, tilework gleaming in sea light, and plates fragrant with saffron and mint. This compact itinerary hits the icons and local favorites—leaving just enough mystery to bring you back.