As the economic heart of Morocco, Casablanca captivated us with the contrast between its Art Deco colonial heritage, its traditional neighborhoods, and the impressive Hassan II Mosque, which stands facing the Atlantic Ocean. We find that a two-day weekend is more than enough to take in the highlights of this cosmopolitan metropolis, from its iconic landmarks to its bustling market and waterfront.
With our itineraries, we’ll guide you through Casablanca. Make the most of your stay and form your own opinion of this destination with our practical tips and plenty of photos!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Practical Tips for Visiting Casablanca in 2 Days
What can you see in Casablanca in two days? Is that enough time?
Two days are enough to see the city’s main sights: the Hassan II Mosque, Habous, the Central Market, and the Corniche. Check out all of Casablanca’s attractions in our article.
Map of must-see attractions
To help you follow along as you read our itinerary below, here is our map of Casablanca’s main tourist attractions:
Getting Around Casablanca for a Weekend
Casablanca has a network of four tram lines, including Line T1, which connects Place Mohammed V, Avenue Hassan II, and the Oasis neighborhood, while Line T3 goes to Les Habous. The city bus network complements this system; for example, the L005 line serves the Hassan II Mosque and the Aïn Diab area. We also recommend the little red taxi—the official color of Casablanca’s taxis—or ride-hailing apps for longer trips. Over a two-day weekend, you can combine walking and the tram without ever needing a car. We find this mode of transportation convenient for moving from one sight to the next without wasting time.
Where to Stay in Casablanca
WHERE TO STAY IN Casablanca
Our favorites: neighborhoods and hotels
Corniche / Aïn Diab –
Four Seasons Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
Gauthier / Sidi Belyout –
Hôtel Le DOGE Relais & Châteaux – see prices, photos and availability
Our Ideal Itinerary: 2 Days in Casablanca
We wanted to focus this weekend on the city’s must-see attractions, alternating between religious sites, working-class neighborhoods, colonial heritage, and the waterfront. That way, you’ll keep a good pace without leaving frustrated that you missed the best of Casablanca.
Day 1 – Hassan II Mosque, Habous, and Delicacies
9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.: Hassan II Mosque
To kick off this weekend in Casablanca, head to the Hassan II Mosque, located between the port and the El Hank Lighthouse. A masterpiece built between 1987 and 1993, it boasts one of the tallest minarets in the world, rising to 210 meters. We were impressed by the monumentality of the site and the meticulous craftsmanship: Agadir marble, Atlas cedar wood, traditional tadelakt, and zellige adorn every corner. It is also one of the few mosques in the world that allows non-Muslims to visit! We recommend booking the 1-hour guided tour (required—the only option available) as early as possible to avoid waiting in line on site. Book your ticket now!
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Habous District and a gourmet break
In the afternoon, head to the Habous neighborhood, designed in the early 20th century as a “New Medina” by French architects Henri Prost and Albert Laprade. You’ll immerse yourself in Morocco’s traditional atmosphere, amid narrow streets lined with arcades, artisan shops, and peaceful inner courtyards. We love this neighborhood for its colors and authenticity, far from the labyrinthine layout of the old medinas. As you stroll through the neighborhood, you’ll catch a glimpse of the Al-Mohammadi Mosque, whose carved minaret is inspired by the Koutoubia in Marrakech. It’s best to plan your visit for a weekday, as some shops are closed on Fridays and Sundays.
Before leaving the neighborhood, stop by Pâtisserie Maison Bennis, founded in 1930, which has been carrying on the art of Moroccan pastry-making for four generations. We stop by every time we’re in the area! There, you can sample gazelle horns, sesame cookies, or the famous Ghriyba Bahla, a melt-in-your-mouth Moroccan cake.
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN MOROCCO
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Not too wide
- A good engine
- For more choice, book early.
Day 2 – Central Market, Art Deco, and the Corniche
9 a.m.–11 a.m.: A Day at the Central Market
Built between 1918 and 1919 by architect Pierre Bousquet, the Marché Central blends functionality with Moorish charm in its elegant arcades. We were captivated by the lively atmosphere in the aisles, amid stalls selling fruit, flowers, and fresh fish. You can explore the central rotunda reserved for fishmongers and admire the zellige fountains that keep the market cool and well-ventilated. Numerous cafés and restaurants also let you have lunch on site and chat with the vendors. We’ve ranked it among the best markets in Casablanca—check out our article here! Treat yourself to a culinary tour of the market with tastings and lunch!
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.: In the Footsteps of Art Deco
Continue your morning with a stroll through downtown, which is rich in reminders of its colonial past. Mohammed V Square, built in 1920 and known for its pigeon fountain, is a beautiful example of Art Deco style, as is the Post Office—which you can see in the image below—also dating from 1920, and the Palace of Justice, built in 1925. We were captivated by the Rialto Cinema, designed in 1930, whose dome rises 14 meters high. You’ll also appreciate the blend of modern architecture and the Neo-Moorish style, visible on the facade of Bank Al Maghrib on Boulevard de Paris.
2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Corniche and Aïn Diab Beach
To wrap up the weekend, head to the Corniche, an 8-kilometer-long promenade lined with palm trees along the Atlantic Ocean Boulevard. We enjoyed the colors of the sunset and the pleasant scent of the ocean that accompanied our walk. The vast Aïn Diab Beach is the most iconic on the Casablanca coastline: we keep coming back for its lively, down-to-earth atmosphere, filled with strollers, families, and soccer games on the sand. A bike path runs along the waterfront for a more active stroll, and several restaurants line the promenade to round out your stay on a relaxing note. For example, Restaurant La Ola is one of our favorite places to eat in Casablanca. A little further up toward the Hôtel Suisse, in a completely different style, you can have lunch or dinner at Table III, led by chef Fayçal Bettioui, for a wonderful gastronomic and culinary experience!
Weekend Idea 1: With More Museums
If you’d rather spend your weekend enjoying some culture, swap the Art Deco stroll and the Corniche for a visit to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, located in the Oasis neighborhood—the only museum of its kind in the Arab world—and whose ticket also grants you access to the El Mellah Museum in the medina on the same day. A 15-minute drive closer to downtown, we also recommend the Church of Notre-Dame de Lourdes, which is definitely worth a visit; its stained-glass windows by the painter Gabriel Loire are among the largest in the world. The Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation Museum, located across from the former Sacré-Cœur Church, rounds out the itinerary nicely with its private collection of paintings, colonial posters, and jewelry. We also suggest taking a break at the Arab League Park, a 10-minute walk from the museum. Check out our list of the best museums in Casablanca.
Weekend Idea #2: A Trip to Rabat
If you have a second day completely free, we think Rabat is the best option for extending your weekend: just an hour away by car or train, the capital boasts a wealth of historical sites that are a pleasure to explore. There, you’ll discover the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the historic heart of the city fortified in the 12th century by the Almohads, followed by the Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the city’s most iconic landmark. We recommend ending your day with a stroll through Rabat’s medina, which is less hectic than those in Marrakech or Fez, before heading back to Casablanca at the end of the day. Book your guided tour of Rabat from Casablanca!
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay at Maroc a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
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Weekend Idea #3: With the Family
Several activities on our itinerary are already family-friendly: the Hassan II Mosque offers a guided tour suitable for children ages 4–5, and the Central Market is a great place to explore as a family. To make the most of your weekend, we suggest Anfa Park, a 50-hectare green space with playgrounds and fountains, or Sindibad Park, near the Corniche, which offers a variety of attractions for all ages. You can also head to the Arab League Park, a 30-hectare green oasis right in the city center where children and adults alike can enjoy the Yasmina playground and picnic areas. The Papers Club Cultural Café, with its brunches and workshops, is the perfect way to round out a fun morning or afternoon with the family.
Weekend Idea #4: A Trip to the Beach
If relaxing is your priority, swap out the cultural afternoon on Day 2 for a tour of the Casablanca coastline. The El Hank Lighthouse, restored by architect Albert Laprade in 1916, offers a panoramic view from its upper platform, accessible via 256 steps. Continue on foot to Lalla Meryem Beach, where the golden sand stretches for several kilometers along a waterfront free of dense development, before heading to Aïn Diab Beach to watch the sunset. For a longer weekend, Tamaris Beach or Dar Bouazza Beach—about a 40-minute drive away—are great additions to your itinerary thanks to their restaurants right on the sand. Check out our article on the best beaches in Casablanca.
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What You Need to Know for Your Weekend in Casablanca
Where to eat in Casablanca
You’ll discover that Casablanca’s culinary scene is rich and varied in our article, which lists all the best places to eat! We especially recommend Rick’s Café, which offers high-end cuisine in a legendary setting inspired by the 1940s American film *Casablanca*, and Gare aux Gorilles, featuring an innovative “bistronomic” menu in a colorful setting.
For traditional Moroccan cuisine within the walls of the old city, head to the Maure La Sqala Restaurant and Café. We also enjoy the Papers Club Cultural Café, located across from Mohammed V Stadium, a welcoming space for socializing and workshops. On the Corniche, the Cabestan Ocean View Restaurant, which specializes in seafood and fish, as well as La Ola Restaurant and Le Basmane Restaurant, are great ways to round out the evening in the Aïn Diab area. Finally, for a gourmet experience, head to Table III, where Chef Fayçal Bettioui will treat your taste buds to a multi-course feast.
The Weather in Casablanca
In winter, Casablanca enjoys a generally mild climate, with daytime temperatures rarely falling below 15°C (59°F) or rising above 22°C (71.6°F). We enjoyed being able to explore the sights without the summer heat, even though there can be a few rainy days. The city can be a bit humid and sometimes windy due to its coastal location, but the sun still shines during the day. As for swimming, the season generally runs from June to September, when the sea is at its most pleasant.
The Crowds in Casablanca
Beaches like Tamaris and Dar Bouazza are very popular with both tourists and locals in the summer, especially with families from the nearby residential neighborhoods. We recommend arriving early on weekends and during school breaks to secure a parking spot along the waterfront, as they fill up quickly. Outside of the summer season, the atmosphere remains calmer along the entire coastline.
Adjusting Your Itinerary When It Rains
Rainy days in Casablanca are rare, but they offer a chance to go shopping at malls such as the Twin Center, Anfa Place, or the Morocco Mall. You can also enjoy cultural events at the Mohammed VI Theater, the Studio des Arts Vivants, the Rif Cinema, or the French Institute of Casablanca. Traditional markets like the Habous or the Central Market are often covered, offering a good alternative in case of rain, as do the city’s museums: the Museum of Moroccan Judaism and the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum are easy to visit while staying dry.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Morocco
- Best of
Top Destinations
Must-See Places in Morocco
Most Beautiful Riads
Most Beautiful Cities
Most Beautiful Medinas
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Landscapes
Most Beautiful Gardens
Best Museums
Morocco’s Most Beautiful Beaches
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in Morocco
Driving tips
- The must-dos
Marrakech
Casablanca
Fez
Meknes
Chefchaouen
Essaouira
Rabat
Tangier
Tetouan
Agadir
The Sahara Desert
