Casablanca-Settat is Morocco’s Atlantic engine—home to the country’s largest city, wave-kissed beaches, and centuries of trade that shaped everything from architecture to cuisine. Casablanca’s art-deco boulevards meet a modern skyline, while El Jadida’s Portuguese fortress whispers of caravels and spice routes. The result is a coastal region where history and everyday life mingle in cafés, markets, and seaside promenades.

Expect big-ticket sights like the ocean-hugging Hassan II Mosque, markets fragrant with saffron and mint, and a culinary scene that runs from sizzling street sardines to refined seafood temples overlooking the surf. Just down the coast, El Jadida’s UNESCO-listed Portuguese City and its famed cistern invite you to step back into the 16th century, then step right out onto a golden beach.

Practical notes: The local currency is MAD; card acceptance is widespread in cities but carry small bills for taxis and markets. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites; guided mosque tours run several times daily. Trains connect cities efficiently; taxis and ride-hailing apps handle short hops. For flight searches, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Casablanca

Imagine a city where Atlantic spray kisses mosque minarets, art-deco cinemas glow at dusk, and café terraces stretch along the Corniche. Casablanca is Morocco’s cosmopolitan heart: a place to tour one of the world’s largest mosques in the morning, nibble sardines fresh off the grill at lunch, and sip a nightcap high above the skyline.

Top highlights include the Hassan II Mosque (guided tours), the atmospheric Old Medina, belle époque movie houses like Cinema Rialto, and the palm-lined Habous Quarter with its arched souks and the beloved Pâtisserie Bennis Habous. For art lovers, Villa des Arts and the Museum of Moroccan Judaism reveal layers of Casablanca’s cultural fabric.

• Stay: Browse apartments and riads on VRBO Casablanca or compare hotels on Hotels.com Casablanca.
• Getting in: Fly into CMN and compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport train to Casa Voyageurs ~45 minutes (about 50 MAD) or taxi 45–60 minutes (~250–350 MAD).

El Jadida (Portuguese City of Mazagan)

Just over an hour south, El Jadida feels timeless: a star-shaped fortress, a vaulted cistern that mirrors candlelight, fishing boats bobbing below weathered ramparts. The UNESCO-listed Portuguese City is a maze of lime-washed lanes, artisan workshops, and seaside viewpoints.

Beyond the walls, the shoreline stretches to Sidi Bouzid Beach for surfing and sunsets. Nearby Azemmour, perched above the Oum Er-Rbia River, surprises with colorful murals and a medina that feels half-gallery, half-village. Seafood here is a ritual—think dorade or sole grilled simply with lemon and cumin.

• Stay: Search character stays on VRBO El Jadida or see hotel deals on Hotels.com El Jadida.
• Getting there: ONCF trains from Casa Voyageurs to El Jadida take ~1h10–1h30 (from ~45–70 MAD). Taxis to Sidi Bouzid are ~10 minutes (20–30 MAD).

Day 1 – Arrival in Casablanca, Corniche stroll, and a cinematic supper

Afternoon: Land in Casablanca and drop your bags. If you’re feeling fresh, make for the Corniche Ain Diab—palm-lined, breezy, and perfect for a first Atlantic sunset. Grab a flat white at Bondi Coffee Kitchen (Aussie-style café, wholesome bowls and good espresso).

Evening: Dine at Rick’s Café, the lovingly crafted homage to the 1942 film—white arches, piano, and a menu built for travelers (order the sea bass or lamb shank). For a nightcap, ride up to Sky 28 at Kenzi Tower for panoramic views and a spritz as the city lights flicker on.

Day 2 – Hassan II Mosque, Old Medina, and Habous Quarter

Morning: Tour the Hassan II Mosque (guided visits run multiple times daily; budget ~140 MAD). Its cedar ceilings, zellige mosaics, and Atlantic setting are unforgettable. Walk to La Sqala, a 19th-century bastion turned garden restaurant; try the msemen (flaky pancakes) and a Berber omelet.

Afternoon: Meander the Old Medina to Marché Central. Pick your fish—sardines, prawns, or dorade—and have it grilled on the spot with salads and bread (expect ~70–120 MAD per person). Continue to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism (fascinating exhibits; allow 60–90 minutes) and the nearby Habous Quarter for handicrafts. Don’t miss Pâtisserie Bennis Habous for almond briouats and gazelle horns.

Evening: Seafood lovers head to La Taverne du Dauphin (classic platters, monkfish with chermoula) or tapas at Casa José (gambas al ajillo, razor clams). Later, La Bodega brings live music and a Spanish-Moroccan crowd.

Day 3 – Art-deco downtown, galleries, and oceanfront dining

Morning: Start at Villa des Arts (free gallery in a 1930s mansion), then walk the art-deco spine: Boulevard Mohammed V’s arcades, Cinema Rialto, and the Wilaya’s clocktower. Coffee at a vintage café like Café de France to watch city life flow by.

Afternoon: Lunch in Gauthier: Iloli (refined Japanese; reservations advised) or Blend for gourmet burgers with Moroccan twists. If you’re shopping or traveling with kids, detour to Morocco Mall (aquarium, boutiques) or unwind at Anfa Park. Aim back to Ain Diab for golden-hour surf.

Evening: Book a terrace table at Le Cabestan, perched above the breakers since 1927—oysters, line-caught sole, and a deep wine list. For a late drink, try the Four Seasons’ poolside lounge (seasonal) or the cliffside Le Petit Rocher for ocean swells and DJ sets.

Day 4 – Train to El Jadida, Portuguese Cistern, and Sidi Bouzid sunset

Morning: Take the ONCF train from Casa Voyageurs to El Jadida (~1h10–1h30; from 45–70 MAD). Check into your riad or hotel (VRBO El Jadida or Hotels.com El Jadida).

Afternoon: Wander the ramparts of the Portuguese City of Mazagan, then step into the atmospheric Portuguese Cistern, whose shallow reflections made it a film location favorite. Loop past the Sidi Bouafi lighthouse and the seaside bastions for wide-angle photos.

Evening: Taxi to Sidi Bouzid Beach (10 minutes) for sunset. Dinner by the water: look for simple grills serving the catch of the day (dorade, sole, sardines) with cumin-salted salads and fries. Alternatively, book at nearby Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort for a dressier experience—try Morjana (tagines, pastilla) or Sel de Mer (shellfish platters).

Day 5 – Back to Casablanca and into the Sahara (overnight)

This is your bucket-list add-on: a quick hop to the desert for camel trekking, sandboarding, and a night under the Milky Way. Check flight times in advance—Casablanca to Errachidia services run several times weekly; total travel time door-to-dunes ~4–5 hours.

• Late Morning/Afternoon travel: Train or taxi back to Casablanca if you overnighted in El Jadida. Fly Casablanca (CMN) to Errachidia (ERH) in about 1h20 (fares often $70–160 one-way) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. On arrival, take a private 4x4 transfer to Merzouga dunes (about 2 hours): Private Transfer from Errachidia Airport to Merzouga Desert (check listing for current pricing; typically per-vehicle).
• Overnight experience: Join a guided camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes with a luxury tented camp, sandboarding before sunset, dinner, and traditional music:
  Luxury Camp in Merzouga Desert with Camel Trekking, Vehicule 4WD

  

Notes: Pack a small overnight bag, layers for cool desert nights (even in warm months), and sunglasses. If flights don’t align, consider swapping Days 4–5 or keeping the coast-only plan.

Day 6 – Desert sunrise, fly back, and a sweet Casablanca finale

Morning: Wake for sunrise and mint tea on the dunes, then camel or 4x4 back. Your driver returns you to Errachidia for a late-morning or midday flight to Casablanca (check Trip.com / Kiwi.com for schedules).

Afternoon: Back in Casablanca, decompress with gelato at Oliveri, an institution since the 1950s. Browse Anfa/Gauthier boutiques for ceramics, leather slippers, and contemporary design pieces.

Evening: Celebrate your last full evening at Basmane in Ain Diab—old-school Moroccan hospitality with live Andalusian music, couscous tfaya, and slow-braised lamb. Prefer low-key? Try a seafood stall back at Marché Central and a twilight promenade along the Corniche.

Day 7 – Slow morning and departure

Morning: Brunch at La Sqala if you missed it—or a quick specialty coffee at Bondi. Pick up final souvenirs in Habous (argan oil, ceramics, and spice blends labeled in French/Arabic for easy cooking at home).

Afternoon: Airport train to CMN (~45 minutes) or taxi (allow 1–1.5 hours with traffic). If you have a spare hour, step into Villa des Arts for one last look at Moroccan creativity before wheels up.

Practical Eats & Sips (round-up)

• Breakfast/Coffee: La Sqala (traditional Moroccan breakfast in a garden), Bondi Coffee Kitchen (flat whites, smoothie bowls), classic cafés downtown for people-watching.
• Casablanca Lunch: Marché Central fish grills (pick-your-catch), Casa José (Spanish seafood & tapas), Blend (gourmet burgers).
• Dinner: Rick’s Café (old-Hollywood mood), Le Cabestan (oceanfront seafood), Basmane (elegant Moroccan). Sweet stop: Oliveri gelato.
• El Jadida & Coast: Simple harborside grills (dorade, sole, sardines), Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort restaurants (Morjana for Moroccan, Sel de Mer for seafood) and sunset cafés at Sidi Bouzid.

Getting Around & Costs

• In Casablanca: Trams and petite taxis; rides in town ~20–50 MAD. Hassan II Mosque tour ~140 MAD; Museum of Moroccan Judaism ~40–60 MAD.
• Casablanca ↔ El Jadida: ONCF train ~1h10–1h30, from ~45–70 MAD; comfortable and frequent.
• Desert add-on: Flight CMN–ERH ~1h20 (typical fares $70–160 each way). Private transfer ERH–Merzouga ~2 hours (see Viator listing). Luxury desert camp with dinner/breakfast; camel trek and sandboarding included—see details in the Viator activity above.

In one week you’ll trace Morocco’s Atlantic story—from Casablanca’s art-deco avenues and mosque by the sea to El Jadida’s Portuguese ramparts—then write your own chapter beneath Sahara constellations. It’s a coastal-and-dunes itinerary rich in history, food, and the kind of moments that turn first visits into lifelong love affairs.