Stand on the Boulevard de la Corniche at sunset and the Atlantic is on one side, the city's long line of hotels and cafes on the other, and the minaret of the King Hassan II Mosque rising above it all. Casablanca is Morocco's economic capital and its largest city, and it wears that role openly: this is a working port and business centre first, with a compact set of sights concentrated in the north of the city.
It suits travellers who have a day or two between other stops, who want a large mosque, a small old medina, a stretch of oceanfront and a handful of galleries and museums rather than a week of monuments. If you are expecting the dense medieval fabric of Fez or Marrakesh, adjust your expectations; the Old Medina here is small by comparison.
This guide covers the specific places in and around the city that are worth your time, followed by a one-day plan and answers to the questions visitors ask most.
Top things to do in Casablanca
1. King Hassan II Mosque
The largest mosque in Morocco and one of the two main mosques in the country open to non-Muslims. The interior has water features, tile work, a huge hammam in the basement that is no longer in use, and a roof that opens to the sky. Its minaret stands 210 m high.
Guided tours run Sat–Thu at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 14:00, and Fri at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 14:00; in summer (15 Mar–15 Sep) there is also a 16:00 tour. It is about a half-hour walk from the closest tram stop at Place des Nations Unies, and a taxi from anywhere in the central centre should not cost more than 20 dirham.
2. Old Medina
A small traditional walled town in the north of Casablanca, just north of the Place des Nations Unies. It is worth a visit if you are in town, though it does not compare to the medinas of Fez or Marrakesh.
Pair it with the King Hassan II Mosque, which is nearby, and treat it as a short wander rather than a half-day.
3. The Corniche
An oceanfront neighbourhood west of the King Hassan II Mosque. Hotels line the ocean side of the Boulevard de la Corniche and nightclubs line the other; along the Boulevard de l'Ocean Atlantique you will find newer, fancier hotels. Many western fast food chains are here too, along with a western-style movie theatre.
The best option is simply to walk up and down the street and rest at one of the many ocean-view cafes. Note that some of the older hotels and clubs look like they have seen better days.
4. Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman
Built on a rock offshore, well past The Corniche, and only accessible at low tide. The shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, but you are permitted to explore the tiny, medina-like neighbourhood that has grown up around it.
A better bet is to walk out to it along the beach and take in the white walls, then take a cab on to less remote areas. Check the tide before you set out.
5. Mahkama du Pacha
A Hispanic-Moorish building made up of more than 60 ornate rooms with delicately carved wooden ceilings, stucco work, intricate wrought-iron railings and beautifully tiled floors. It is open Mon–Sat 08:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00.
Entrance may be free but it is not easy to get in: you need to find a guide to accompany you, so ask around, especially if you speak some French. To get there, take bus 81 on Boulevard de Paris.
6. Central Post Office
Built in 1918, its facade is composed of both round and rectangular shapes, and as you approach you get a good view of the mosaics. Come here to send your postcards in style.
It sits near the Place des Nations Unies, which makes it an easy stop on the way to or from the Old Medina.
7. Museum of Moroccan Judaism
The only museum devoted to Judaism in the Arab world, on Rue Chasseur Jules Gros. Inside you will find artifacts of Moroccan Jewry, including the bimah (c. 1944) from the Beni-Issakhar Synagogue in Casablanca, mezuzahs and a Hanukiah menorah, as well as a considerable collection relating to Berber history, including costumes, jewellery and Fatima pendants.
It is a focused, indoor stop that works well when you want a break from walking the coast.
8. Villa des Arts
A commercial gallery run by the charity ONA and a place for the Moroccan art scene, on Boulevard Brahim Roudani, slightly southwest of Parc de la Ligue Arabe. It is free of charge and open Tue–Sun 09:30–19:00, except public holidays.
Because it is a commercial gallery, it lives off the art it sells, and you can usually enter for free.
9. Galérie d'art l'Atelier 21
A commercial art gallery on rue Abou Mahassine Arrouyani (formerly rue Boissy-d'anglas). Like the other galleries listed here, it lives off earnings from art sales and you can usually enter for free.
Combine it with the other galleries in this part of the city for an afternoon of looking rather than buying.
10. Galerie Shart
A commercial gallery on rue El Jihani, in the same cluster of small art spaces in the city centre.
Galleries keep their own hours, so plan to visit more than one in a single outing in case one is closed.
11. Loft Art Gallery
A commercial gallery on rue El Kaïssi, open Mon–Fri 09:30–12:30 and 14:30–19:30, and Sat 09:30–12:30.
Its split opening hours mean the middle of the day is not a good time to turn up; go in the morning or late afternoon.
12. Galérie Nadar
A commercial gallery on Rue Al Manaziz, part of the same free-to-enter gallery circuit.
Pair it with the other galleries on this list to make a full circuit of the city's commercial art spaces.
13. Solidarité Féminine Association's Hammam
A hammam on rue Ahmed Chaouki in Palmier, reachable by red taxi or the Tramway station Wafasalaf. It is open Tue–Sun 08:00–21:00 and Mon 08:00–18:00, with an entrance fee of 40 dirham.
The association runs an applied training programme that supports the socio-economic integration of women in single-mother situations, making them co-founders of their own livelihoods. Going here is both a bath and a way of spending your money well.
14. Stade Mohammed V
A multi-use stadium in Maârif, primarily used for football. It is the usual stadium for the men's national team and the home ground of Wydad AC and Raja CA, both of which play in Botola, the top tier. It was built in 1955 and last renovated in 2015.
If you want to catch a match, check what is on during your stay; the stadium also hosted matches in the 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at the King Hassan II Mosque and join one of the morning tours, which run from 08:00. From there, walk to the Old Medina north of the Place des Nations Unies and spend an hour wandering its small walled streets, then stop at the Central Post Office to see the facade and mosaics.
Afternoon. Take a taxi to the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, then head to Villa des Arts on Boulevard Brahim Roudani, which is open Tue–Sun 09:30–19:00 and free of charge. If you still have time, walk to one or two of the nearby commercial galleries, Galérie d'art l'Atelier 21 and Galerie Shart.
Evening. Go out to The Corniche, west of the mosque, and walk the Boulevard de la Corniche and the Boulevard de l'Ocean Atlantique, stopping at one of the ocean-view cafes. If the tide is low, walk along the beach towards the Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman for the view of its white walls; remember the shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims.
Frequently asked questions
Can non-Muslims visit the King Hassan II Mosque?
Yes. It is one of the two main mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, and visits are by guided tour. Tours run Sat–Thu at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 14:00, and Fri at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 14:00, with an extra 16:00 tour in summer from 15 March to 15 September.
How do I get into the Mahkama du Pacha?
Entrance may be free, but it is not easy to get in: you need to find a guide to accompany you. Ask around, particularly if you speak some French. The building is open Mon–Sat 08:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00, and you can reach it by taking bus 81 on Boulevard de Paris.
When can I visit the Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman?
The shrine is built on a rock offshore and is only accessible at low tide. The shrine itself is off-limits to non-Muslims, but you may explore the small medina-like neighbourhood around it, or simply walk out along the beach for the view.
Where are the main sights concentrated?
Almost all of the things to see in Casablanca are in the north of the city. The Old Medina sits north of the Place des Nations Unies, the King Hassan II Mosque is a short distance from there, and The Corniche lies west of the mosque.
Pick the mosque tour time that fits your arrival, check the tide for the walk along the beach, and start planning your day in Casablanca.