Casablanca

Urban Coastal Beaches

Population: 4 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: August (peak summer heat and humidity, many locals

Famous For: Hassan II Mosque, Corniche waterfront, Old Medina, French colonial architecture, Fresh seafood, Vibrant markets, Atlantic Ocean beaches, Art Deco buildings, Moroccan culture and cuisine

Train Access: Yes (Casablanca Tramway, Casablanca-Fez Railway)

Bus Access: Yes (ALSA, Supratours, local municipal buses)

Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque dominates the Atlantic coastline with its minaret rising 210 meters above the water, accessible to non-Muslim visitors during specific hours. The Medina's narrow souks around Rue Siaghine pulse with textile vendors, spice merchants, and traditional craftspeople, while the French colonial architecture along Boulevard de la Corniche reflects the city's 20th-century development. The Quartier Habous (New Medina) showcases planned colonial-era urban design with wider streets, the Royal Palace, and the Mosque of Mohammed V, offering a different rhythm from the old city's maze-like passages. The Corniche stretches along the waterfront with Plage Ain Diab as the primary public beach, lined with cafés and restaurants serving fresh seafood. Anfa district contains upscale residential areas and shopping, while the Central Market (Marché Central) near Place Mohammed V supplies locals with produce, fish, and meat. The city's café culture thrives in squares like Place des Nations Unies, where mint tea and coffee accompany people-watching throughout the day.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Planning Your Trip to Casablanca

Weather: Casablanca has a temperate oceanic climate with mild winters and warm summers, moderated by Atlantic breezes that keep temperatures comfortable year-round.

Festivals: Casablanca Book Fair (annual, typically May), Casablanca Film Festival (annual, typically September–October)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Casablanca Zoo (Parc Zoologique de Casablanca) in Ain Chock district houses lions, giraffes, and primates in landscaped enclosures. Plage Ain Diab beach offers shallow sections suitable for young swimmers and waterfront restaurants with family seating. The Hassan II Mosque's exterior courtyard and fountain are accessible to children during non-prayer hours, with the scale of the architecture impressive for all ages.

Hidden Gem: The Sqala du Port (Scala of the Port) is a restored 18th-century Portuguese fortress at the harbor's edge with cannons, ramparts, and a café overlooking fishing boats and the Atlantic. Few tourists venture here despite its historical significance and peaceful atmosphere away from the Medina crowds.

Accessibility: Hassan II Mosque has limited wheelchair access; the main prayer hall is not accessible to visitors with mobility restrictions, though the exterior courtyard is partially accessible. The Corniche promenade has uneven pavement in sections and limited curb cuts. Marché Central and the Medina's souks feature narrow, steep alleyways unsuitable for wheelchairs. Modern hotels in Anfa and along the Corniche typically have elevator access and accessible rooms, but older riads in the Medina rarely accommodate mobility devices.

For the Runner: Corniche promenade runs approximately 5 km along the Atlantic waterfront from Plage Ain Diab to the Hassan II Mosque, with mixed pavement quality and sea views. Parc de la Ligue Arabe (Green Park) near the city center offers tree-lined paths suitable for 2–3 km runs with minimal traffic.

Restaurants in Casablanca

Casablanca offers a diverse dining scene ranging from traditional Moroccan cuisine to international options, with numerous restaurants concentrated in the Corniche and medina areas. The city features everything from casual street food and local tagine establishments to upscale fine dining venues. Quality and variety have improved significantly with the city's development as a major business and tourism hub.

Where to Stay

Casablanca's accommodation ranges from budget riads in the Medina to five-star beachfront properties along the Corniche. The Anfa and Gauthier neighborhoods concentrate mid-range to luxury hotels, while the Medina offers traditional guesthouse experiences at lower price points. Business-class chains cluster near the port and central business district.

Best Hotels: Royal Mansour Casablanca (Anfa district, luxury riad-style hotel with traditional zellige tilework and a Michelin-starred restaurant). Hyatt Regency C

Dog-Friendly Hotels: Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Sofitel Casablanca Tour Blanche, Le Doge Hotel & Spa

Casablanca

Planning Your Trip to Casablanca

Restaurants in Casablanca

Where to Stay

Recommended Reading