Casablanca City Guide
Image by Achalhikarim via wikipedia

Morocco

Casablanca City Guide

Casablanca-Settat

Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and a busy Atlantic port. It's a mix of modern business life, Art Deco buildings, and traditional Moroccan culture. The city is developing fast but can feel overwhelming for newcomers.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Excellent
8

Try local dishes like Tagine, Couscous, Harira, and Pastilla. The city offers many international cuisines. Vegetarian and vegan options exist. Some food stalls and restaurants stay open late.

Local Dishes:
Tagine, Couscous, Harira, Pastilla
International Cuisine:
French, Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
7

Casablanca’s nightlife thrives along the Ain Diab Corniche with bars, clubs, and lounges. Licensed spots sell alcohol.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Strong local coffee culture with many traditional cafes. Specialty coffee shops are emerging.

💰
Tipping
Required
10%

Tipping is appreciated. 10-15% at restaurants if no service charge. Round up taxi fares or add a few dirhams. Small tips for hotel staff.

Top Attractions
Hassan II Mosque
Cultural
One of the largest mosques with stunning architecture.
Old Medina
Cultural
Historic market area with traditional shops.
Habous Quarter
Cultural
New Medina blending French and Moroccan styles.
Ain Diab Corniche
Recreational
Coastal area with beaches, restaurants, and nightlife.
Casablanca Cathedral
Cultural
Old Catholic church with unique design.
SIM Cards

SIM cards can be bought at the airport or official stores for Maroc Telecom, Inwi, and Orange. Maroc Telecom has the best coverage. Registration with ID is required.

Available at:
Maroc Telecom official stores
Inwi shops
Orange shops
Airport kiosks
Recommended Apps
Careem/InDriver(Transportation)
Glovo(Food)
WhatsApp(Communication)
Google Maps(Navigation)
MDJS(Entertainment)
Jumia(Shopping)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
6

Cleaner in tourist and modern areas; older areas and markets can be less clean.

24/7 Services
Good
6

Some pharmacies rotate 24/7. Many small shops open late. Night clinics are rare, but some private options exist. Late night food stalls available in busy spots.

Groceries
Marjane
Carrefour
Acima

Fresh markets (souks) like Derb Ghallef offer local produce and spices. Supermarkets like Marjane, Carrefour, and Acima stock international products. Bargaining is common in markets but not in supermarkets.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cards work well in big hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets. Cash is needed for markets, small shops, and taxis.

ATMs

ATMs are easy to find in banks, shopping centers, and airports. Common banks with ATMs are Attijariwafa, Banque Populaire, and BMCE. Some charge fees.

Schools
International

International schools teach in English, French, and Arabic. Popular ones include American Academy Casablanca, George Washington Academy, and Lycée Lyautey. Early application is advised.

Available Schools:
American Academy Casablanca
George Washington Academy
Lycée Lyautey

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
7
Available Spaces:
Work & Co
Hot desks, private offices, meeting rooms; some 24/7 access.
24/7 Access
The Hive
Modern design with community events; some 24/7.
24/7 Access
New Work Lab
Older, established space with professional vibe.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Multiple locations with reliable Wi-Fi.
Paul
Good for long stays, power outlets available.
Art Caffe
Comfortable seating, quality coffee.
La Sqala
Historic atmosphere, can be busy.
Alternatives:
Hotel lobbies
Comfortable to work quietly with Wi-Fi.
Municipal libraries
Quiet spots for focused work, limited availability.
Digital Nomad Community
Limited
4

Community is small but growing. Co-working spaces and online groups are main hubs.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Good
6

Parc de la Ligue Arabe and Ain Diab Corniche offer green and open spaces for walking and running.

Running
Good
7

Popular running routes include the Ain Diab Corniche and Parc de la Ligue Arabe. Generally safe during daylight.

Gyms
Available

Many gyms and fitness centers are available, including hotel gyms.

Available Gyms:
City Club
Les Mills
Various local gyms
Tennis
Good
6

Many tennis and padel courts available in clubs. Booking and membership often required.

Padel
Good
6

Padel courts are common in sports clubs. Coaching and equipment rental available.

Yoga
Good
6

Several studios offer classes in various styles. Traditional hammams and spas also offer wellness options.

Martial Arts
Good
6

Schools offer Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, BJJ, and Muay Thai. English-speaking instructors available in some gyms.

Skiing
Poor
3

Oukaïmeden ski resort is about 4-5 hours away. Season runs December to March with variable snow.

Water Sports
Good
6

Kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing are popular at Ain Diab and Mohammedia with equipment rentals and guided tours.

Surfing
Good
6

Surf spots near the city include Dar Bouazza and Tamaris. Water is cooler in winter; wetsuits often needed. Both beginner and advanced waves available.

Diving
Poor
2

Limited diving near the city due to port activity. Better dive sites are further south.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Private hospitals offer better service and shorter waits. Cheikh Khalifa International Hospital and Polyclinique CNSS have English-speaking staff. Pharmacies are common and well stocked.

Hospitals:
Cheikh Khalifa International University Hospital
Polyclinique CNSS
Pharmacies:
City Pharmacie
Pharmacie centrale
Clinique Pharmacie
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is treated and generally safe, but many prefer bottled water due to taste or sensitivity.

Common Scams
Fake guides pressuring for shop visits, Taxis overcharging or refusing meter, Fake pharmacies selling overpriced products

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Parks like Parc de la Ligue Arabe and attractions like Sindibad Amusement Park are good for kids. Baby supplies are easy to find. Kid-friendly cafes are growing.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
1

Morocco is conservative with no legal protections; LGBTQ+ visitors must be discreet.

Pet Friendly
Limited
5

Pet policies vary. Vet clinics and supply stores are available. Public parks may allow leashed dogs.

Communities
Expats in Casablanca (Social)
Casablanca Digital Nomads (Remote Work)
What's On Casablanca (Events)

Quick Facts

Population
3,499,000
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is mostly reliable in the city. Short outages happen but are not common.

Beach Access
Available

Several beaches along the Ain Diab Corniche. Quality varies, with some public beaches crowded and private clubs offering better facilities.

Mountains
Available

Atlas Mountains are 3-4 hours away. Good for hikes but need car or tour.

Languages
Arabic (Darija)(100%)
French(65%)
English(15%)
Emergency
15
Ambulance/Fire
19
Police
177
Royal Gendarmerie

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Moderate Risk
6
🏔️
Earthquake
Moderate Risk
6

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Temperatures often go above 30°C.
Sandstorms
March, April, May
Dust and sandstorms occur occasionally in spring.

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