By air
Mohammed V International (CMN), ~30 km
Africa · Morocco
Casablanca, Morocco
The Hassan II Mosque by the sea
Getting there
Best time to visit
April to October — mild on the coast
Don't miss
The Hassan II Mosque
The Corniche
The Habous Quarter
The Old Medina
Things to do
The Hassan II Mosque tour
The Corniche
The Habous quarter
Where to eat
What to pack
Modest clothing for the mosque
A quieter corner
The Art Deco buildings downtown
Questions travellers ask
Can I go inside Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque?
Yes, on the Hassan II Mosque tour. Wear modest clothing for the mosque.
When is Casablanca mild, and which airport serves it?
April to October, when it's mild on the coast. Fly into Mohammed V International (CMN), about 30 km away.
What should I see in Casablanca besides the mosque?
Walk the Corniche, explore the Habous Quarter and the Old Medina, and look out for the Art Deco buildings downtown.
What's good to eat in Casablanca?
Fresh seafood is the thing to order.
About Casablanca
- Coastal
Where it is
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and main commercial port, on the Atlantic coast south-west of Rabat and the capital of the Casablanca-Settat region.
History
An Amazigh town called Anfa stood here in the Middle Ages until the Portuguese destroyed it in the 15th century. Sultan Mohammed ben Abdallah rebuilt it in the 18th century as Dar al-Beida, the white house, a name rendered in Spanish as Casablanca. Under the French protectorate from 1912 it grew into Morocco's business capital, rich in Art Deco buildings, and in 1943 it hosted the Casablanca Conference of Allied leaders.
People
Casablancans, known as Bidaouis, come from every region of Morocco and speak Moroccan Arabic and French, with Amazigh languages widely heard. The city is the centre of Morocco's business, industry and contemporary arts, and on Fridays families gather for couscous, as across the country.
Known for
- The Hassan II Mosque
- The Corniche of Aïn Diab
- The Habous Quarter
- Art Deco buildings downtown
- Seafood from the central market
Did you know?
The Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993, stands partly over the Atlantic on reclaimed land, and its minaret, about 210 m tall, is one of the tallest in the world.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.