What to see in Casablanca: Hassan II Mosque and more

Hassan II Mosque

Built partly over the ocean, with one of the tallest minarets in the world. It's one of the few mosques in the country open to non-Muslims.

• Shoulders and knees covered
• Times change, and differ during Ramadan
• Book ahead in high season

The Corniche

A seafront promenade with beaches and cafés that fills with families at sunset.

Habous quarter

Built in the 20th century in imitation of traditional architecture. Quiet, with crafts and pastry shops.

Downtown art deco

Protectorate-era buildings, art deco and neo-Moorish. Several are run down, but look up and you'll see some very fine details.

Old medina

Small and short on monuments, with local life and few tourists.

The basics

The mosque and a walk by the sea.

With the Habous and downtown

You add the Habous and the art deco.

Day trip to Rabat or the coast

Time to get out of the city.

Land and move on

If you arrive in the morning, you see the mosque and carry on the same day towards Rabat and Fez, or towards Marrakech.

Your last night here

When your return flight leaves from here, spend the last night in the city. Travellers from Latin America arrive tired, and one night before moving on helps.

Gauthier

Tree-lined streets between downtown and Maarif, with cafés, bakeries and restaurants where Casablancans eat. A good area for an afternoon stroll and for dinner near the centre without depending on the traffic.

Anfa

Villas, embassies and hotels on the hill above the Corniche. The 1943 Anfa Conference between Roosevelt and Churchill was held here. Today it's a quiet residential area, with little to see but good walks.

Derb Sultan

A working-class district with markets selling fabric, kaftans and spices to city people. There's hardly any tourism and prices are local; it's best to go with someone who knows it.

Arab League Park

The big park in the centre, with palm trees, cafés and play areas. At one end stands the former Sacred Heart Cathedral, now a cultural venue.

Morocco Mall aquarium

The big shopping centre in Aïn Diab has an aquarium, shops and a play area. Useful on a rainy or very hot afternoon, especially with children.

Port and Casa-Port

The renovated Casa-Port station is next to the port and the old medina. Trains leave from here for Rabat and the airport, and you can walk to Place Mohammed V.

Hassan II first thing

Join the first guided tour of the day, when there are fewer groups, and carry on along the seafront to the old medina, about 20 minutes' walk. Wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees.

A walk through downtown

From Place Mohammed V, walk down Boulevard Mohammed V to the Central Market, looking at the 1930s façades. Opposite the market is the Hotel Lincoln, the best-known building on that street.

Sunset in Aïn Diab

A taxi to the Corniche, about 20 minutes from downtown if there's no traffic jam, to watch the sun go down over the Atlantic. Have fish by the sea, or head back downtown for dinner in Gauthier.

The Habous in the morning

Tram or taxi to the Habous for pastry shops and crafts; on the way back, Arab League Park. In the afternoon you can already set off for Marrakech or the desert.

The capital in a day

An hour by train from Casa-Port to Rabat. The Kasbah of the Udayas in the morning, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V after lunch, and back to Casablanca for dinner.

The Wilaya and its clock tower

The former administration building, in neo-Moorish style, with the tower you can see from all over the square. Around it are the law courts and the post office building.

1930s façades

Curved balconies, floral reliefs and old signs over the doorways. Many buildings are run down; walk with your eyes up and step into any open doorways to see the staircases.

Cinéma Rialto

One of the protectorate-era cinemas still standing, with its original façade. Seeing the façade is enough; if there's a screening, the interior has been preserved too.

Sacred Heart Cathedral

A white 1930s church facing Arab League Park, mixing neo-Gothic style with local details. It no longer holds services and is used for exhibitions and events; you can see the outside at any time.

A 1930s new medina

The French built it following the layout of a medina, with arches, squares and the Moulay Youssef Mosque. It's tidier and cleaner than any old medina.

Modernist villas

In the upper streets of Anfa and in the Oasis district there are villas from the 1930s to the 1950s, with straight lines and white terraces. You see them from the street: nearly all are private homes.

Fish from the Central Market

You choose your fish or seafood at a stall and the little eateries inside the market grill it for you. There are oysters from Oualidia; ask the price per kilo first.

Sweets to take away

Fekkas biscuits with almonds, gazelle horns and makrout are sold by weight. A mixed box makes a good gift on the last day of the trip.

Pavement cafés

Casablancans spend hours on café terraces with the chairs facing the street. A coffee or tea costs little, and it's the best way to see the modern city.

Couscous after prayers

Friday is couscous day at home, and many popular restaurants only make it that day, at lunchtime. If you're in the city on a Friday, that's your lunch plan.

Aïn Diab terraces

Restaurants in Aïn Diab are pricier than those at the Central Market, but they have terraces over the Atlantic. To eat well for less, go to the market at lunchtime and to the Corniche only for a drink.

Harira to break the fast

During Ramadan, when the sun sets, the streets empty and homes and cafés serve harira with dates and chebakia. That month many popular restaurants close at midday.

Transfer from Mohammed V

The big white grand taxis at the airport charge a fixed fare to the centre, more expensive than the train. If you arrive at night, with children or with a lot of luggage, book the transfer.

Passengers who hop in

The red taxis pick up other people along the way, and that's normal. Everyone pays for their own stretch; check the meter when you get in.

Casa-Voyageurs or Casa-Port

Trains to Marrakech and Fez, and the high-speed train to Tangier, leave from Casa-Voyageurs. Casa-Port, downtown, is for Rabat and the airport. Check your ticket to see which station you leave from.

Tram card

You buy it from the machines at the stops and validate it when you board. The lines link downtown with the Corniche, Casa-Voyageurs and the southern districts, and they avoid rush-hour traffic.

The old medina after dark

At night, it's better to walk round it along the boulevard than to go into its alleys. Keep your phone put away at crowded tram stops.

Swimming in the Atlantic

There are currents and the water is cold most of the year. Only swim where there are lifeguards, and with children, don't let them go deeper than waist height.

Downtown

Near Casa-Port and Place Mohammed V; handy for the train and tram.

Maarif

A district with lots of hotels.

Aïn Diab

Hotels along the Corniche, comfortable for a rest or if you arrive late.

Near the airport

Saves you a very early start.

Mohammed V Airport

There's a train to the centre. Change a little money when you arrive or use an ATM.

High-speed rail north

Linked by fast train.

Marrakech and Fez

Connected by regular train.

Tram and red taxis

Ask for the meter; if the driver won't use it, find another taxi. At rush hour a short ride takes a long time.

Rabat

The capital: the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

El Jadida

The former Portuguese Mazagan, known for its cistern.

Oualidia

On the Atlantic, famous for its oysters.