Guided visit
Season: Year-round; no tours during prayersHassan II Mosque guided tour
- See the vast prayer hall, the carved cedar ceilings and the zellige tiles
- Go down to the ablutions rooms and the hammam
Many travellers spend just a day in Casablanca, often on the way to or from the airport. That is enough time to see the city’s greatest sights, if you start early and use taxis to link them up. Check the mosque’s tour times first, and move things around if you need to.
The plan at a glance
- 9:00: Guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque
- 10:30: Walk the esplanade and the sea wall
- 11:00: The Old Medina and the Sqala
- 12:30: Lunch at the Central Market
- 14:00: Art Deco streets and Mohammed V Square
- 15:30: The Quartier Habous
- 18:00: Sunset on the Ain Diab Corniche
Morning: the mosque and the medina
Start at the Hassan II Mosque, where non-Muslims can go inside on a guided tour. Afterwards, walk along the esplanade, then head for the Old Medina. Enter the narrow lanes, have a look at the Sqala bastion and come out near Bab Marrakech and the clock tower.
Lunch
A few minutes’ walk or a short taxi ride away, the Central Market has simple restaurants that serve grilled fish and seafood from the morning’s stalls. It is a noisy, friendly place for a quick lunch.
Afternoon: Art Deco and the Habous
Walk along Boulevard Mohammed V to see the Art Deco city centre, and on to Mohammed V Square. Then take a petit taxi to the Quartier Habous to browse the arcades and buy some Moroccan pastries.
Sunset: the Corniche
End the day on the Ain Diab Corniche, with a walk by the sea, a mint tea or a seafood dinner as the sun sets over the Atlantic.
Tips
- Cover your shoulders and knees for the mosque.
- Traffic builds up in the late afternoon, so allow extra time for taxis.
- Fridays and prayer times can change the tour schedule, so confirm it the day before.
