There’s something magnetic about Casablanca. Morocco’s largest city doesn’t shout to be seen—it simmers. It’s not the hectic swirl of Marrakech or the polished calm of Rabat. It’s a city of edges softened by sea air, of Art Deco buildings with chipped charm, of surprise espresso counters tucked behind neon-lit storefronts. It holds its stories tight, only giving them away when you’re willing to slow down and look closer.
For most travelers, Casablanca is either a starting point or a brief stopover. But let’s challenge that. What if you gave it one full day—a proper, intentional, eyes-wide-open kind of day? Here’s how to soak in Casablanca’s elegance, edge, and delicious contradictions—without rushing, over-scheduling, or trying to turn a cultural city into a checklist.
This is not a whirlwind “best of” list. This is a thoughtfully curated itinerary rooted in sensory pleasure, local rhythm, and the real pace of Casablanca.
Morning: Slow Awakening by the Atlantic
Start with a Seaside Stroll on the Corniche
The earlier you begin, the more Casablanca opens itself to you. Before the streets warm up and the cafés hum, start your day where the city exhales—the La Corniche promenade, stretching along the Atlantic. It’s an unexpected, wide-open invitation to breathe with the city. Early morning joggers, surfers paddling out, and couples walking in quiet rhythm—it’s not touristy yet, just human.
Take your time walking from the El Hank Lighthouse eastward. The breeze here isn't just refreshing, it's subtly fragrant—think sea salt tangled with fresh bread baking somewhere nearby.
Trip Trick: Want to feel like a local? Skip the hotel breakfast and grab msemen (Moroccan flatbread) with honey from a tiny streetside cart along the Corniche. It’ll cost you less than a cup of coffee and taste like sunshine wrapped in dough.
Visit the Hassan II Mosque Before the Crowds Hit
Mid-morning is prime for visiting the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors. The craftsmanship here isn’t just grand—it’s obsessive. Look up at the carved cedar ceilings, down at the Italian marble floors, out at the Atlantic lapping beneath the mosque’s foundation. It’s not just an architectural feat—it’s a pulse point for the city.
Guided tours run throughout the morning. If you're in time for one (typically around 9:00 or 10:00 AM), it’s worth the insight. Otherwise, even the exterior walk is humbling.
Triptuition: Pause before you step inside. Ask yourself—not what you’re here to “see,” but what you're here to notice. The feel of cool marble underfoot. The echo of water in the ablution hall. The contrast between grand space and quiet ritual.
Midday: Art, Architecture, and the City’s Real Flavor
Wander the Habous Quarter (But Don’t Rush It)
Next, head inland toward Quartier Habous, also known as the "New Medina"—though don’t let that name fool you. Built by the French in the 1930s, it’s an elegant blend of Moorish architecture and Parisian planning. Arched alleyways. Bookstores selling Arabic poetry next to olive vendors. A rhythm that’s more curated, yes, but still authentic.
It’s perfect for strolling with no goal. Let yourself wander. Ask shopkeepers questions. Let yourself be pulled into bookstores and stop for a midday mint tea.
Trip Tale: A book vendor once insisted I smell a 1940s edition of a Moroccan cookbook before even reading it. He said, “Smell is the first storyteller.” He wasn’t wrong. That book still smells like cumin and sun-aged paper.
Lunch at La Sqala
This might be the only truly touristy spot I’ll recommend—and still, it’s worth it. La Sqala, nestled inside an 18th-century fortress, delivers atmosphere with a side of spice-laced tagine. Yes, it’s known. Yes, you’ll spot fellow travelers. But the lush garden setting, lemon trees, and serene water features balance it out beautifully.
Order the chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives, and ask for Moroccan mint tea with orange blossom—served in traditional glasses that seem to make everything taste better.
Afternoon: Casablanca’s Art Deco Soul
Time Travel on Boulevard Mohammed V
After lunch, head to Boulevard Mohammed V, a once-glorious strip of 20th-century Art Deco architecture that’s now a little faded—but in the best way. Think old movie theaters turned into fabric shops. Rotating doors and cracked neon. These aren’t ruins—they’re alive, just unpolished.
Architecture lovers, keep your eyes up: Look for wrought iron balconies, friezes, and pastel façades. Stop by the Villa des Arts, an under-the-radar gallery inside a 1934 mansion, which houses Moroccan contemporary art without the fuss.
Trip Trick: Download a Casablanca Art Deco walking map (or ask your hotel’s concierge). Many landmarks aren’t marked clearly, but once you know what to look for, the city becomes a live museum.
Late Afternoon: Coffee, Concept Shops & Coastal Breezes
Get Caffeinated with Purpose
Casablanca has a quietly cool café culture—less hyped than Marrakech or Paris, but deeply satisfying. Try Bondi Coffee Kitchen or L’Blend for quality beans, sleek interiors, and that unmistakable Moroccan espresso energy.
Need a reset? Grab a corner seat and people-watch. Moroccan cafés are as much about social observation as they are about caffeine.
Triptuition: How do you actually slow down when you're traveling? Practice sitting for a full coffee—no phone, no book, no to-do list. Just watch, listen, notice. The real rhythm of a place reveals itself in pauses, not checklists.
Shop, But Smartly
Casablanca isn’t overflowing with souks like Fez, but it’s home to a growing scene of concept boutiques, local designer pop-ups, and socially conscious cooperatives.
Check out:
- Lalla: Contemporary handbags with traditional Moroccan fabrics.
- Norya Ayron: Kaftans reimagined for the modern traveler.
- Maison ARTC: A true artist’s atelier—part fashion, part installation.
These aren’t “souvenirs.” They’re pieces with story and staying power.
Evening: Slow Down, Savor, and Catch the Light
Sunset at the Rick’s Café (Yes, That One)
Look, we know “Rick’s Café” didn’t actually exist in the original Casablanca film—but the recreation is pure cinematic joy. Tucked near the old medina, Rick’s Café leans into nostalgia without tipping into kitsch.
Even if you don’t dine here, grab a drink and settle into the piano bar ambiance. The vibe is sultry, slightly surreal, and yes—completely charming. Go at golden hour when the windows light up with seaside sun.
Trip Tale: I once overheard a French couple at Rick’s whispering about “running away together” in the corner booth. Were they play-acting? Possibly. But Casablanca has a way of making even imaginary romance feel real for a moment.
Dinner Worth Dressing Up For: La Bavaroise
Locals will tell you La Bavaroise is the Casablanca spot for French-Moroccan fusion. White tablecloths. Classic waiters. Perfect seafood. It’s a nod to the city’s colonial past with a present-day twist. You’ll see business dinners, elegant couples, and quietly cool creatives all in one room.
Get the catch of the day à la plancha and a glass of local Moroccan wine (yes, it exists—and it’s good).
Nightcap, Stroll, or Sleep: Your Call
If you're still buzzing, take one more nighttime walk on the Corniche. The city lights flicker on the water, and Casablanca feels both cinematic and comfortingly real. Or head back to your hotel, stretch out, and let the sounds of the Atlantic lull you toward sleep.
Not every city rewards slowness. Casablanca does.
The Art of One-Day Romance
Casablanca might not immediately seduce you with the obvious charms of a capital or a medina-packed wonderland. But give it 24 hours of true attention, and it will cast a quieter kind of spell—more smoke than sparkler, more jazz than pop anthem.
It’s the kind of place where time expands if you let it. Where slowing down doesn’t mean missing out. And where elegance, like the best Moroccan tea, reveals its complexity only when given time to steep.
Let the others race to Marrakech. You’ve just unlocked Casablanca.
