Mediterranean
Ships dock at the Port of Casablanca cruise terminal, one of the largest commercial ports in Africa, located within the port complex approximately 3–4 km from the city centre and the Medina.
Casablanca has a reputation for romance and mystery — Rick’s Café, the Atlantic breeze, the call to prayer echoing across whitewashed neighbourhoods — but many cruise passengers aren’t sure what to expect beyond the movie myth. The good news is that Morocco’s largest city rewards curious travellers with genuine depth: soaring Islamic architecture, buzzing street markets, and some of the best seafood you’ll taste anywhere in the Mediterranean world. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your time ashore.
Arriving by Ship
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Casablanca, one of Africa’s largest commercial harbours. The terminal is functional rather than glamorous, but the city centre is only about 20 minutes away by taxi. Official petit taxis (small red cabs) are metered and affordable, while grand taxis cover longer distances at a negotiated flat rate. If you’d prefer the ease of a pre-arranged transfer the moment you step off the gangway, you can book a private airport and city pickup that doubles as an orientation ride 🎟 Book: TAXI Casablanca/Airport pickup/Morocco Tour /safe&easy. The port area itself has little to detain you, so head straight for the city — your day will be better spent there.
Things to Do
The undisputed centrepiece of any Casablanca visit is the Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Africa and one of the most breathtaking pieces of religious architecture on earth. It sits dramatically on a promontory over the Atlantic, its 210-metre minaret visible from the sea. Non-Muslims can enter on guided tours — a genuinely unmissable experience. Beyond the mosque, explore the Corniche, the city’s breezy seafront promenade lined with cafés and palm trees, and the Habous Quarter, a planned medina built during the French protectorate era that blends Moroccan and Art Deco influences beautifully.
For those who want to see the city efficiently without the stress of navigating alone, a shared walking tour with a licensed guide covers the major landmarks in around four hours 🎟 Book: Casablanca and Morocco Shared Walking Tour with Licensed Guide. If you’re feeling more adventurous and want something completely different, an ATV adventure tour takes you outside the city limits on quad bikes through coastal terrain — a fun adrenaline option if you have younger travellers in tow 🎟 Book: Casablanca Morocco ATV Adventure Tour.
Local Food
Casablanca is a serious food city, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you stuck to the tourist-facing restaurants near the waterfront. Head instead to the Marché Central (Central Market), where vendors sell the day’s catch from the Atlantic — pick your fish and have it cooked immediately at one of the surrounding restaurants, a deeply local ritual that locals and savvy visitors swear by.
Look out for pastilla, a flaky pastry filled with pigeon (or more commonly chicken) and dusted with icing sugar and cinnamon — the sweet-savoury contrast is extraordinary. Harira, the hearty tomato and lentil soup, is eaten at all hours and costs almost nothing. For something sweet, seek out msemen, flaky griddle bread served with argan oil and honey, ideally with a glass of heavily sweetened mint tea.
Shopping
Casablanca isn’t the souq capital that Marrakech or Fez are, but there’s still plenty to bring home. The Habous Quarter is the most pleasant place to browse, with shops selling embroidered slippers (babouches), leather goods, pottery, and argan oil products at prices far less inflated than in the more tourist-heavy imperial cities. The Derb Omar neighbourhood is the city’s wholesale district — chaotic and authentic, good for textiles and craft items if you’re comfortable haggling.
Stick to argan-based cosmetics, handwoven rugs, silver jewellery, and Moroccan ceramics as your best-value buys. Avoid buying anything presented as “genuine antique” without serious scepticism.
Practical Tips
- Currency: The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is the local currency. Credit cards are accepted in larger restaurants and shops, but cash is essential in markets. ATMs are widely available near the city centre.
- Dress code: Casablanca is relatively cosmopolitan, but dress modestly — covered shoulders and knees are appreciated, particularly near the mosque.
- Language: Arabic and Darija (Moroccan Arabic) are spoken everywhere; French is widely understood. A few words of French go a long way.
- Time: Give yourself at least six hours ashore to do the city any justice. Check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully and build in a buffer for traffic.
- Safety: Casablanca is generally safe for tourists. Be alert for commission-hungry touts near the port, and use only official metered taxis.
Casablanca doesn’t fit neatly into any single story — not Bogart’s, not the package-holiday brochure’s. What it offers instead is the real, complicated, spectacular texture of modern Morocco, and a few hours here will leave you wanting considerably more.
Widget not showing? Search all cruises to Casablanca Morocco on CruiseDirect ↗
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Getting Around from the Port
Taxi (Petit Taxi)
Small red metered taxis are the most practical option from the port gate; agree on the meter or a fare before departure as overcharging tourists is common. Petit taxis are for short city trips only.
Taxi (Grand Taxi)
Larger shared or private taxis suited for longer trips, such as a day trip to Rabat or to Hassan II Mosque. Negotiate the fare firmly before boarding.
Bus
Casablanca has a public bus network (STM) and a modern tramway (Tramway de Casablanca); tram Line 1 and Line 2 connect key parts of the city. Access from the port gate on foot to the nearest stop is feasible but requires navigation.
Ship Shore Excursion Transfer
All major cruise lines offer organised coach transfers and guided tours departing directly from the ship, which is the most stress-free option given port security procedures.
Private Tour / Driver
Pre-booking a private local guide or driver for the day is highly recommended for independent travellers; they can collect you at the port gate and cover multiple attractions efficiently.
Top Things To Do
1
Hassan II Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the world and an architectural masterpiece, Hassan II Mosque sits dramatically on a promontory overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Non-Muslims are permitted to enter on guided tours, which are offered several times daily and include the stunning interior with its retractable roof and intricate tilework. This is the single unmissable sight in Casablanca and should be the priority for any cruise passenger.
Find shore excursions on Viator2
Casablanca Medina (Old Medina)
Casablanca's Old Medina is smaller and less intense than those in Fez or Marrakech, making it a manageable and rewarding experience for time-limited cruise passengers. Wander the narrow lanes past street food stalls, spice sellers, traditional craft shops, and local cafu00e9s. It is a good place to pick up souvenirs such as leather goods, argan oil products, and Moroccan ceramics.
Find shore excursions on Viator3
Place Mohammed V
The grand civic heart of Casablanca, Place Mohammed V is surrounded by impressive early 20th-century French Protectorateu2013era architecture including the Wilaya (prefecture), the law courts, and the Central Post Office. It offers a striking contrast to the Medina and is an easy stop on any city tour. The square is walkable from the Medina and makes for excellent photography.
Find shore excursions on Viator4
Corniche Ain Diab
Casablanca's seafront boulevard stretches along the Atlantic coast and is lined with beach clubs, restaurants, and cafu00e9s. It offers a relaxed, modern Moroccan atmosphere quite different from the historic Medina. While the beaches themselves are public, many are accessed through private beach clubs that charge a modest entry fee and provide sunbeds and facilities.
Find shore excursions on Viator5
Rick's Cafu00e9
A recreation of the fictional cafu00e9 from the 1942 film Casablanca, Rick's Cafu00e9 is a well-known restaurant and bar that has become a genuine landmark in its own right. The building is beautiful, the atmosphere is atmospheric, and it serves decent Moroccan and international food. It is best visited for lunch rather than dinner given cruise schedules, and reservations are recommended.
Find shore excursions on Viator6
Quartier Habous (New Medina)
Built by the French in the 1930s, the Habous district is a planned neighbourhood designed to blend French urban planning with traditional Moroccan architecture. It contains excellent craft shops selling quality ceramics, brassware, textiles, and pastries, and is generally less hectic than the Old Medina. The Royal Palace is located nearby, though the interior is not open to the public.
Find shore excursions on Viator7
Day Trip to Rabat
Morocco's capital city Rabat is approximately 90 km from Casablanca and reachable by grand taxi or train in about 1u20131.5 hours. Key sights include the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. This is best suited to cruise passengers with a full day ashore and confidence navigating independently or via a pre-booked private tour.
Find shore excursions on Viator8
Marchu00e9 Central (Central Market)
Casablanca's Central Market is a covered market in the city centre selling fresh produce, spices, olives, fish, and local foods. It is an authentic slice of everyday Moroccan life and a pleasant stop to browse even if not buying. The surrounding streets also have good cafu00e9s and local eateries ideal for a traditional mint tea or snack.
Find shore excursions on ViatorPractical Tips for Cruise Passengers
- Allow extra time for port security procedures when returning to the ship u2014 the Port of Casablanca is a busy commercial port and security checks can cause delays, especially if returning in a group independently.
- The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is the local currency and cannot be officially exchanged outside Morocco; ATMs are widely available in the city centre and give good rates. Many tourist-facing businesses accept euros or US dollars but exchange rates will be unfavourable.
- Dress modestly when visiting the Hassan II Mosque and the Medina u2014 shoulders and knees should be covered for both men and women. Mosques other than Hassan II are generally not open to non-Muslim visitors.
- Bargaining is expected in souks and markets but is not appropriate in fixed-price shops; start at roughly 50u201360% of the asking price and negotiate from there. Avoid accepting unsolicited 'guide' offers near the Medina entrance as these typically result in pressure to buy.
- Casablanca is Morocco's most Westernised and cosmopolitan city, making it one of the more straightforward Moroccan ports for independent exploration. Standard travel awareness applies u2014 keep valuables secure and be confident in your movements u2014 but the city is generally safe for tourists.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Port of Casablanca is a large, active commercial port with a security perimeter, and the city centre and main attractions are 3u20134 km away. Taxis are available just outside the port gate and are the easiest option for independent travellers.
Most cruise ships spend a full day in Casablanca, typically arriving around 8:00u20139:00am and departing in the early evening around 6:00u20138:00pm, giving passengers approximately 8u201310 hours ashore. Check your specific itinerary as times vary by cruise line.
Yes, Casablanca is generally safe for independent exploration and is Morocco's most accessible city for first-time visitors. Normal precautions apply u2014 keep bags secure, be aware of your surroundings in busy souks, and politely but firmly decline approaches from unofficial guides. Women may receive unsolicited attention; travelling in pairs or groups is advisable.
The local currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). ATMs in the city centre are the best way to obtain cash at fair rates. Euros are sometimes accepted at tourist sites and larger restaurants but change will be given in dirhams. Credit cards are accepted at larger hotels, restaurants, and shops but cash is needed for taxis, markets, and smaller vendors.
For passengers with limited time, a combined guided tour covering the Hassan II Mosque, the Old Medina, Place Mohammed V, and the Habous quarter gives the best overview of the city in a half day. Passengers with a full day and an interest in Moroccan history should consider a pre-booked private day trip to Rabat, which offers richer historic sights than Casablanca itself.
Planning a cruise that includes Casablanca, Morocco? Search for Mediterranean and Atlantic itineraries calling at this gateway to North Africa.
Compare sailings and book with no fees — best price guaranteed.
