Morocco Travel Blog · 9 min read
15 Things to Do in Casablanca: A 24-Hour Local Guide
From the Hassan II Mosque to the Art Deco downtown, the Habous quarter and a sunset on the Corniche — the 15 best things to do in Casablanca, with prices and tips.
By MoroccoForYou Editorial · Published January 30, 2026 · Updated May 12, 2026
Casablanca isn’t the postcard Morocco you came for — but it has a magnetic Art Deco soul, the third-largest mosque on earth, and the country’s best restaurant scene. If you have 24 hours between flights, here are the 15 things to do that will make Casablanca worth your day, ranked by priority.
The Hassan II Mosque — the one thing you absolutely must do
The 210-metre minaret of the Hassan II Mosque rises over the Atlantic on a platform partly built into the sea. It’s the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims, and the only way to see the interior is on a 1-hour guided tour (MAD 140, four times a day in English/French/Spanish/German). Book online or arrive 30 minutes early.
The interior is staggering — hand-carved cedar ceilings, 53,000 m² of marble, a retractable roof. Sunset photography from the seafront esplanade is included free.
Walk the Art Deco downtown
Casablanca has the largest concentration of Art Deco and Mauresque architecture in Africa, built during the French Protectorate (1912–1956). Start at Place Mohammed V (the cathedral square), walk Rue Mohammed Smiha for the best facades, then the central market (Marché Central) for lunch.
Free walking tours run from Place des Nations Unies on weekends at 10am — check Casamémoire for schedules.
Explore the Habous quarter
A 1920s "new medina" designed in the French style with arcaded shops, the quarter sells olives, mountains of dates, books, traditional clothing and the famous Pâtisserie Bennis Habous (Moroccan pastries since 1930). Quieter and easier than a chaotic medina; the Royal Palace gates are nearby.
Sunset on the Corniche at Ain Diab
The Corniche is Casablanca’s seaside promenade, lined with beach clubs, restaurants and rooftop bars. Best spots for a sunset drink: Sky 28 (top of the Kenzi Tower for a city panorama), Rick’s Café (homage to the 1942 movie, expensive but atmospheric), or Le Cabestan (cliff-edge fine dining with Atlantic views).
Eat your way through Casablanca
Casablanca has Morocco’s best restaurant scene. Notable: Le Cabestan (seafood + view), La Sqala (traditional Moroccan in a fortress), Restaurant Riad Zamane (couscous done right), Paul (best brunch), and Pâtisserie Amour (best chocolate éclair in Africa, no exaggeration). Reserve ahead for dinner.
Museums and culture
The Villa des Arts hosts rotating contemporary exhibitions in a beautifully restored 1934 villa. The Moroccan Jewish Heritage Museum (the only Jewish museum in the Arab world) tells the 2,000-year story of Morocco’s Jewish community. Both small, both worth an hour.
The 15 must-do list
For a 1-day visit, focus on these 15 things in order of priority:
- 1. Hassan II Mosque guided interior tour
- 2. Walk the Art Deco downtown (Place Mohammed V → Marché Central)
- 3. Habous quarter and Pâtisserie Bennis
- 4. Sunset cocktail on the Corniche
- 5. Dinner at Le Cabestan or La Sqala
- 6. Villa des Arts gallery visit
- 7. Morocco Mall (largest in Africa) for shopping
- 8. Friday couscous lunch at a traditional restaurant
- 9. Mosque esplanade walk at golden hour
- 10. Petit-déjeuner at Paul or Café Maure
- 11. Beach club afternoon at Tahiti Beach Club (Ain Diab)
- 12. Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Église du Sacré-Cœur, abandoned and atmospheric)
- 13. Casablanca Twin Center observation deck
- 14. Moroccan Jewish Heritage Museum
- 15. Rooftop drinks at Sky 28 to close the night
Getting around Casablanca
Casablanca has a modern tram network (MAD 6 per ride) and abundant red petit-taxis (MAD 20 minimum, always insist on the meter — "compteur s’il vous plaît"). Driving in the city is stressful and parking is hard; don’t bother with a rental for the day. From the airport (CMN), the ONCF train (MAD 43, every 30 min) drops you at Casa-Voyageurs in 35 minutes.
Plan your Morocco trip with us
MoroccoForYou is a Morocco-based agency. Tell us your dates on WhatsApp — we reply within an hour with a draft itinerary, hotel options and a car or driver quote.
