Casablanca —
Morocco's Cosmopolitan Capital
Beyond the film and the legend lies a city of genuine grandeur — Art Deco boulevards, the world's most spectacular mosque, a rich Jewish heritage, and a modernity that surprises every visitor.
About Casablanca
Casablanca — Casa, as locals call it — is not the Morocco most visitors expect. There is no ancient imperial medina, no snake charmers, no romantic camel markets. Instead, you find a young, fast-moving, deeply modern city of five million people, shot through with extraordinary Art Deco architecture, excellent restaurants, a thriving creative scene, and a cosmopolitan energy unlike anywhere else in the country.
Yet history runs deep here too. The city's Jewish community — once numbering over 80,000 — left an indelible mark on its architecture, commerce, and culture. The Habous Quarter, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, and the Beth El Synagogue are among the most compelling Jewish heritage sites in the entire Arab world. For families tracing Moroccan Jewish roots, Casablanca is often the emotional heart of the journey.
And then there is the Hassan II Mosque: built between 1986 and 1993, it stands on a dramatic promontory above the Atlantic, its 210-metre minaret piercing the sky. It is one of the great architectural achievements of the 20th century — and one of the very few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors.
Top Attractions in Casablanca
From the world's tallest minaret to the only Jewish museum in the Arab world — Casablanca rewards the curious traveller.
Hassan II Mosque
2–3 hoursOne of the world's largest mosques, built on a promontory over the Atlantic Ocean. Its 210-metre minaret — the tallest in the world — is visible across the city. Guided tours of the interior (non-Muslim visitors welcome) reveal stunning Moroccan craftsmanship: carved cedarwood, hand-cut zellige tiles, and a retractable roof.
Habous Quarter (New Mellah)
1–2 hoursBuilt by the French in the 1930s as a planned neighbourhood blending Moroccan medina layout with European urban planning, the Habous Quarter was also home to Casablanca's Jewish community. Its arcaded streets, patisseries, bookshops, and craftsmen's stalls make for one of the city's most pleasant and authentic walks.
Museum of Moroccan Judaism
1–2 hoursThe only museum of Jewish culture in the Arab world, located in the Oasis neighbourhood. Its extraordinary collection includes Torah scrolls, ceremonial objects, marriage contracts, photographs, and personal testimonies spanning 2,000 years of Moroccan Jewish life. Essential for Jewish heritage travellers.
Boulevard Mohammed V (Art Deco)
1 hourCasablanca is one of the world's great Art Deco cities, rivalling Miami Beach. The colonnaded Boulevard Mohammed V and surrounding streets are lined with stunning 1920s–1940s French colonial architecture — ornate facades, arcaded pavements, and decorative ironwork. The city has over 300 protected Art Deco buildings.
Corniche & Ain Diab Beach
1–2 hoursCasablanca's elegant seafront promenade stretches several kilometres along the Atlantic coast. Lined with cafés, restaurants, beach clubs, and the iconic Twin Towers, the Corniche offers a completely different — and distinctly modern — face of Morocco.
Old Medina & Central Market
1 hourSmaller and less touristy than Marrakech or Fez, Casablanca's Old Medina is an authentic working neighbourhood. The Central Market, built in 1917, is a beautiful covered market hall selling fresh fish, spices, and local produce — a genuine slice of daily Casablanca life.
Jewish Heritage in Casablanca
Casablanca was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the Arab world — over 80,000 people at its peak in the 1950s. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism, the Beth El Synagogue, the Habous Quarter, and the Jewish Cemetery together tell a story of 2,000 years of Moroccan Jewish life. Our specialist Jewish heritage tours, led by specialist guide Idrissi, bring this extraordinary history to life.
Explore the Casablanca Jewish Heritage TourGetting to Casablanca from Tangier
Morocco's Al Boraq train connects Tangier Ville station to Casablanca in just 2 hours 10 minutes at 320 km/h — Africa's first high-speed rail line. Tickets from approximately 100 MAD (~$10). Book at ONCF stations or online.
Tours Including Casablanca
Let Idrissi guide you through Casablanca's highlights — privately, expertly, in your language.
Casablanca Jewish Heritage Tour
Specialist guided tour of Casablanca's Jewish Quarter, Beth El Synagogue, Museum of Moroccan Judaism, and Jewish Cemetery — led by specialist guide Idrissi.
Learn MorePrivate Morocco Transfers
Door-to-door private transfer from Tangier to Casablanca in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking driver.
Learn MoreLuxury Morocco Tours
Combine Casablanca with Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fez, and beyond in a bespoke multi-day luxury Morocco itinerary.
Learn More