72 hours in Casablanca

Start at the Hassan II Mosque, the undisputed symbol of Casablanca. Poised above the Atlantic Ocean, it is Africa’s second-largest mosque and among Morocco’s most impressive architectural achievements. The intricately carved cedar wood, hand-crafted zellige tilework, and soaring minaret create an extraordinary introduction to the city. Non-Muslim visitors can join guided tours, making it one of the few major mosques in Morocco that welcomes everyone inside.

From the mosque, the Old Medina is just a short walk south. Smaller and less labyrinthine than Morocco’s more famous medinas, it retains an authentic charm. Narrow alleyways, traditional shops, and local businesses create an atmosphere that feels refreshingly genuine: this is the place to slow down and simply observe city life.

For lunch, head to La Sqala, one of Casablanca’s most atmospheric restaurants, set within an 18th-century fortified bastion near the medina walls. Gnawa musicians in traditional dress often perform at the entrance for guests celebrating a special occasion. Beyond the gates, a lush garden courtyard shaded by mature trees, adorned with fountains, zellige tilework, and colourful lanterns, offers a tranquil escape. The menu celebrates classic Moroccan cuisine: begin with an assortment of fresh salads before sampling chicken pastilla, a delicate pastry layered with spiced chicken, almonds, and cinnamon, followed by slow-cooked tagines. Freshly baked Moroccan bread accompanies every dish, and a glass of mint tea provides the perfect finish.

Rick’s Café is also in this part of the city, and worth knowing about. Yes, it is touristy; yes, it is inspired by a film largely disconnected from the real Casablanca. Yet the piano music, old-world interiors, and cinematic atmosphere make it a memorable experience, particularly for first-time visitors.

Casablanca’s Central Market is nearby too, and best visited in the morning. Unlike markets designed primarily for tourists, this is where locals shop: stalls overflow with seafood, spices, fruit, and vegetables, offering a fascinating glimpse into the rhythms of daily life.

Casablanca possesses one of the world’s largest collections of Art Deco architecture, a legacy of the city’s rapid development during the early twentieth century. The Ville Nouvelle is where this heritage is most concentrated, and it rewards an afternoon of unhurried exploration.

Begin at the former Casablanca Cathedral, also known as Sacré-Cœur. No longer functioning as a church, the striking white structure now hosts exhibitions and cultural events. Its blend of neo-Gothic and Art Deco influences makes it one of the city’s most fascinating buildings. Continue to Villa des Arts, housed within a beautiful historic villa, which showcases contemporary Moroccan artists and provides an excellent introduction to the country’s modern creative scene. For a deeper look into Moroccan heritage, the Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation Museum is elegant and intimate, featuring jewellery, decorative arts, travel posters, and works that trace Morocco’s story through the twentieth century.

Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca’s largest urban green space, is the natural place for a mid-afternoon pause. Lined with palm trees, gardens, and shaded walkways, it offers a peaceful counterpoint to the surrounding city. Nearby in the Maarif neighbourhood, Cafe JUJ on Rue Aziz Bellal is one of the city’s most original spaces: created by Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi and artist Hassan Hajjaj, it blends specialty coffee, street culture, and design under one roof. The aesthetic draws from Moroccan street-vendor culture — stacked crates, saturated colour, checkerboard patterns — filtered through Hajjaj’s pop maximalism. As much a concept store and cultural hangout as a café.

The Ville Nouvelle is also home to Casablanca’s most compelling contemporary art spaces. Loft Art Gallery is one of Morocco’s leading venues for established and emerging Moroccan artists. L’Uzine, an industrial warehouse transformed into a multidisciplinary cultural centre, hosts exhibitions, performances, and live music depending on the schedule. EAC-L’Boulvart has played a significant role in supporting Morocco’s hip-hop, rock, and alternative music scenes. Together, these three spaces reveal a side of Casablanca that many visitors never discover.

For dinner, Al-Mounia is one of Casablanca’s most iconic restaurants. Set in a beautifully decorated space featuring intricate zellige tilework, carved wooden details, and a charming garden courtyard, it offers classic Moroccan dishes: chicken b’stilla, tajines, and couscous prepared according to time-honoured recipes. Warm, unhurried, and entirely lacking in pretension.

The Habous Quarter, often called the New Medina, offers one of Casablanca’s most rewarding neighbourhood experiences. Built during the French Protectorate period, it combines traditional Moroccan architecture with European urban planning. Wide streets, elegant arches, bookshops, artisan workshops, and beautiful courtyards make it a pleasure to explore on foot.

Patisserie Bennis Habous is unmissable: display cases overflow with almond-filled pastries, honey-coated sweets, and beautifully crafted Moroccan delicacies that have drawn visitors here for generations. If you are planning a long journey onward, the chicken b’stilla to take away is worth serious consideration.

Just nearby sits one of Casablanca’s lesser-known architectural treasures: Mahkama du Pacha. Often overlooked, this extraordinary building showcases intricate Moroccan craftsmanship, carved cedar ceilings, geometric tilework, and elegant courtyards. Entry can be restricted, but even viewing the exterior reveals remarkable detail. The Royal Palace of Casablanca is also in this area; visitors cannot enter, but the monumental gates and surrounding architecture offer insight into Morocco’s royal heritage.

For shopping with intention, Twelve Concept Store showcases Moroccan designers and carefully selected lifestyle brands; FTL Store is the address for contemporary streetwear and emerging labels.

The Boulevard de la Corniche is where Casablanca comes to breathe. The seafront promenade stretches west along the Atlantic, and the sea breeze, crashing waves, and endless ocean horizon explain immediately why this city has always looked outward to the world. It is particularly alive at sunset: locals gather for walks, cafés fill with conversation, and the light across the shoreline softens into something worth stopping for.

At the western point of the coast stands El Hank Lighthouse, Morocco’s tallest, at 51 metres above the Atlantic. Built in the early twentieth century and inspired by traditional Moroccan minarets, it has guided ships safely into the harbour for over a century. Access to the interior is informal: a tip of around 50 to 100 dirhams typically secures entry, and the 256 marble steps to the upper platform reward the effort with panoramic views across the coast and far out to sea.

The Ain Diab area is home to some of Casablanca’s best dining. Le Cabestan has a long-standing reputation as a glamorous meeting point for locals and visitors alike, with a refined menu focused on seafood and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The terrace seating, panoramic ocean views, and lively bar-lounge atmosphere make it as much about the experience as the food: a landmark address for a special evening.

A short drive away, the rooftop of Villa Sahrai in the Anfa area overlooks the Atlantic and the Corniche. The property is the second in the Sahrai Collection; their Hotel Sahrai in Fez was the first, and worth knowing about if Fez is on the itinerary. Home to L’Aragosta, a restaurant combining Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with a relaxed, chic atmosphere, communal tables and pergola-shaded seating create a convivial setting above the city’s bustle. Opposite the hotel, Mazair is a contemporary concept restaurant that blends dining, art, and retail under one roof: its gallery-like interior, shareable small plates, and creative atmosphere make it a popular hangout for both visitors and a local creative crowd.

For a more curated shopping experience, AnfaPlace, smaller and more design-focused than Morocco Mall, sits beside the ocean and offers a relaxed alternative to the larger centre.

Casablanca feels contemporary, creative, and authentic. It is a city where Art Deco architecture meets Atlantic surf culture, where hidden galleries coexist with bustling markets, and where some of Morocco’s best cafés are found only a few streets away from centuries-old traditions.

Give it 72 hours, and it rewards curiosity. One of North Africa’s most dynamic urban destinations: modern, cultured, and unmistakably Moroccan. If Tangier is on the itinerary, our guide is worth reading before you go.