Casablanca event weekends: what to do between sessions
Morocco's business capital and biggest city: Atlantic corniche, Art Deco downtown and the Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Africa that non-Muslims can visit.
Events we cover in Casablanca
Casablanca, MoroccoMarathon8 Jun 2030World Cup 2030 in Casablanca
Casablanca, MoroccoWorld Cup 2030
Arriving
Mohammed V International (CMN) is 30 km south of the centre. The Al Bidaoui train runs from the airport to Casa Voyageurs and Casa Port in about 40 minutes for around 50 dirhams. A taxi costs about 300 dirhams at fixed airport rates.
Where to stay
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Centre ville and Boulevard Mohammed V | Art Deco blocks, tram on the doorstep, cheapest rooms and quick trains to the airport from Casa Port. |
| Mid-range | Maarif and Gauthier | Restaurants, cafés and shopping streets, central for both stadium side and the corniche. |
| Splurge | Ain Diab corniche | Sea-view resorts with pools, beach clubs and the best sunsets. Taxis to everything. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: Ibis Casablanca City Center
- Mid-range: Hyatt Regency Casablanca
- Splurge: Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca
Tours
Hassan II Mosque guided tour
The only working mosque in the country open to non-Muslims, with tours several times a day except Friday mornings.
Casablanca city tour by car
Habous quarter, Royal Palace gates, the Corniche and Rick's Café in one loop.
Day trip to El Jadida and Azemmour
The Portuguese cistern and old ramparts by the sea.
Street food tour in the old Medina
Snail soup, msemen and grilled sardines with a local guide.
Hammam and spa ritual
Traditional scrub and massage, the best way to recover after a match.
Surf lesson at Ain Diab
Beginner waves on the city beaches, boards and wetsuits included.
Art Deco architecture walk
The 1920s and 1930s downtown with a guide who knows the buildings.
Where to eat
- Rick's Café
- La Sqala
- Le Cabestan
- Marché Central
- Habous quarter pastry shops
- Boulevard de la Corniche cafés
With kids
- Morocco Mall has an aquarium and an indoor play area.
- Sindibad Park in Ain Diab is a theme park with rides and animals.
- Beach afternoons at Tahiti Beach or Madame Choual clubs.
Rainy-day backups
- Hassan II Mosque interior tour.
- Villa des Arts and the Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation museum.
- Anfa Place and Morocco Mall for shopping and cinemas.
Free things to do
- Walk the Corniche from the Hassan II Mosque to Ain Diab at sunset.
- Browse the Habous quarter, the 1930s "new Medina" with olive and spice sellers.
- See the Art Deco facades along Boulevard Mohammed V and around Place Mohammed V.
Getting around
- The Casablanca tram (two lines plus busways) links Casa Voyageurs, the centre, Maarif and Ain Diab for about 8 dirhams.
- Petit taxis run inside each city on the meter: ask the driver to switch it on, or agree the fare before you get in. Grand taxis are shared and run fixed routes between towns.
- Careem and inDrive work in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Agadir. Expect to pay in cash in dirhams in most places.
- Al Boraq high-speed trains link Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat and Casablanca. Classic ONCF trains continue to Marrakech and Fez. Book on the ONCF app; first class is cheap and worth it on busy days.
- Fridays around midday prayers and the evenings during Ramadan change opening hours and traffic.