The King Hassan II Mosque and Its Coastal Setting
Walk out onto Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah toward the Atlantic, and the King Hassan II Mosque comes into view—a limestone and marble structure that rises with unmistakable authority, its minaret climbing 210 metres above the water. Completed in 1993, this is the largest mosque in Morocco and one of only two open to non-Muslim visitors. The interior is a study in restraint and craft: water channels run through prayer halls, the roof opens to the sky, and zellige tilework covers walls with geometric precision. A combined ticket gets you into both the mosque and its museum. The surrounding neighbourhood, The Corniche, spreads westward along Boulevard de la Corniche—a stretch of oceanside hotels and cafes where you can rest and watch the Atlantic while the city moves behind you.
- Take a guided tour of the King Hassan II Mosque (tours run Sa-Th 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00; F 09:00, 10:00, 15:00; additional 16:00 tour Mar 15-Sep 15).
- Walk the length of The Corniche, a neighbourhood that edges the ocean with many cafes offering sea views.
- Visit the Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman, built on an offshore rock and accessible at low tide; non-Muslims can explore the white-walled neighbourhood around it and view the shrine from the beach.
Museums and the City's Cultural Collections
Casablanca's museums cluster in the north and centre, offering windows into Morocco's layered past. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism, located at 81 Rue Chasseur Jules Gros, is the only museum in the Arab world devoted to Judaism—a singular institution housing everything from bimah and mezuzahs to Berber costumes and Fatima pendants. The Central Post Office, built in 1918, is itself a small museum of architectural ambition: its façade mixes round and rectangular forms, and the interior mosaics reward a close look. For contemporary art, Villa des Arts on Boulevard Brahim Roudani runs free shows of Moroccan work, and several commercial galleries—Galérie d'art l'Atelier 21, Galerie Shart, Loft Art Gallery, Galérie Nadar—open their doors without charge.
- Visit the Museum of Moroccan Judaism for artifacts specific to Moroccan Jewish heritage and Berber collections.
- Tour the Central Post Office to see its Art Deco mosaics and architectural detail.
- Walk through Villa des Arts, a free exhibition space for contemporary Moroccan art.
- Drop into any of the commercial art galleries, which welcome visitors and often have work for sale.
The Mahkama du Pacha and the Old Medina
The Mahkama du Pacha, a Hispanic-Moorish palace of more than 60 rooms, sits near the northern edge of the city. Its carved wooden ceilings, stuccoes, wrought-iron railings, and tiled floors represent a craft now rare in Morocco—but entry is conditional on finding a guide to accompany you. Ask around, especially if you speak French; the effort is worth it. Much closer to the centre, the Old Medina (north of Place des Nations Unies) is a small walled traditional town, modest in scale compared to the medinas of Fez or Marrakesh, but still a genuine network of narrow streets where local life continues without performing for cameras.
- Arrange a guide to visit the Mahkama du Pacha (open M-Sa 08:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00); take bus 81 on Boulevard de Paris to reach it.
- Wander the Old Medina, a compact walled quarter with traditional architecture and everyday commerce.
Hammams, Football, and the Russian Church
Casablanca offers a few specific experiences beyond sightseeing. The Solidarité Féminine Association's Hammam, on Rue Ahmed Chaouki in the Palmier neighbourhood, is a working Turkish bath that supports women in job training; at 40 dirham, it is affordable and functional, open Tu-Su 08:00-21:00 (M 08:00-18:00). For football, Stade Mohammed V on Rue Ahmed Lazrak hosts matches by the national men's team and the two major local clubs, Wydad AC and Raja CA, both competing in Botola, the top tier. The Église orthodoxe russe de la Dormition stands as a architectural anomaly—a Russian Orthodox church in a Moroccan city—and merits a brief visit for its presence alone.
- Bathe at Solidarité Féminine Association's Hammam; reserve ahead if possible.
- Check the Stade Mohammed V fixture list to catch a Wydad or Raja match during the football season.
- Visit the Église orthodoxe russe de la Dormition to see this unusual building.
Planning Your Visit
Most of what matters in Casablanca lies in the north; the sprawl to the south appears on few maps for good reason. The best time to visit is March to May or September to November, when the Atlantic coast is pleasant without summer heat. Budget a full day for the King Hassan II Mosque and Corniche, a morning for the museums and galleries, and a half-day for the medina and Mahkama du Pacha. This is not Fez or Marrakesh—Casablanca is a working port city with modern ambitions—but it rewards the visitor who moves slowly through its specific corners and does not expect the medina to be the centre of experience.