A restaurant-bar in a 1930s villa near the Casablanca medina, opened in 2004 by American Kathy Kriger as a tribute to the film Casablanca. The interior recreates the Hollywood set: white arches, potted palms, brass lamps and a piano playing As Time Goes By every evening. The movie was never shot here — the cafe only brings its atmosphere to life. The menu mixes Moroccan and international dishes; book a table ahead for evenings.
La Sqala is a renowned restaurant and cultural landmark set within an 18th-century fortified bastion on the edge of Casablanca's old medina. Commissioned in 1769 by Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah to protect the Atlantic coastline, the stone fortress still displays authentic brass cannons. Behind the defensive ramparts lies an Andalusian garden patio with lush greenery and fountains, offering traditional Moroccan cuisine.
The traditional market within Casablanca's Old Medina is a lively maze of pedestrian alleys tucked behind 18th-century defensive ramparts. Here, daily local life unfolds among artisan workshops offering handmade leather babouches, woven carpets, brassware, argan oil, and aromatic spices. Far less touristy than markets in Fes or Marrakech, this historic quarter preserves an authentic Moroccan soul that is a delight to explore.
United Nations Square is the energetic hub of Casablanca, linking the centuries-old medina with the modern city center's Art Deco boulevards. Planned in the early 20th century by French urbanist Henri Prost, the plaza is dominated by the futuristic "Kora Ardia" geodesic dome designed by architect Jean-François Zevaco. Ringed by towering palm trees, sleek tram lines, and the historic clock tower, it offers a vibrant snapshot of city life.
One of Casablanca's oldest parks, planned in the 1910s by the French landscape designer Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier. Kilometre-long avenues under palms and ficus trees, fountains and chess tables make it a favourite weekend retreat for locals. The park stretches along Boulevard Mohammed V not far from Casa-Voyageurs station, with the Mohammed V Theatre nearby.
Bondi Coffee Kitchen on Rue Sebou in Casablanca's trendy Gauthier neighbourhood pioneered Australian specialty coffee culture in Morocco. Its airy, minimalist interior of light wood and exposed industrial accents serves expertly pulled espresso, flat whites, and single-origin pour-overs. The all-day brunch menu features artisan sourdough avocado toasts, eggs Benedict, and vibrant açai bowls.
A stylish sky lounge and cocktail bar perched on the 28th floor of the Kenzi Tower Hotel, set within Casablanca's iconic Twin Center designed by Ricardo Bofill in Maarif. As the city's highest nightlife venue, it offers breathtaking 360-degree vistas sweeping across the urban skyline, the Atlantic Ocean, and the illuminated minaret of the Hassan II Mosque. Evenings feature craft cocktails, tapas, and upbeat live DJ sets.
A legendary traditional bakery in Casablanca's charming Habous quarter, founded by the Bennis family in 1930. Revered by locals and food lovers, it produces Morocco's finest classic pastries using time-honoured recipes. Must-try specialities include melt-in-the-mouth cornes de gazelle infused with orange blossom water, savoury-sweet chicken pastillas, and almond-honey briouates, all baked in wood-fired ovens.
If you have time left — worth it too.
Landmark art deco design movie theater, events & performance venue.
Museum housing a privately collected assortment of paintings, posters, jewelry & other objects.
Jewish synagogue featuring modern stained-glass windows & ornate decor in white & gold tones.
Cultural center in a 1934 art deco villa, presenting contemporary art exhibitions & events.
Home to the fashionable stretch of coastline known as La Corniche, Ain Diab is a vibrant, affluent part of town. Creperies, shawarma cafes, and posh French restaurants are among the dining options, while trendy nightclubs keep the party going until dawn. Alongside a cluster of upmarket beach clubs, Plage Lalla Meryem and Plage Ain Diab are long expanses of sand backed by snack bars and ice cream parlors.
Also known as New Medina, Habbous is packed with open-air markets or souks where shoppers bargain for clothes, fabrics, and Moroccan staples like olives and dried fruits. Traditional patisseries sell almond pastries and stuffed dates. Open for guided tours, Mahkama du Pacha is a Moorish-style government building with mosaics, courtyards, and carved cedar ceilings. Jogging paths skirt flower beds in Parc Murdoch.
Known for its string of glamorous Atlantic beach clubs, La Corniche, part of the Ain Diab neighborhood, is popular with a fashionable crowd of sunbathers and surfers. After dark, the action moves to the area’s trendy nightclubs, cocktail lounges, and sea-facing bar terraces. Dining options along Boulevard de la Corniche range from simple counter-serve joints to fancy French restaurants.
The bustling Central Market is one of the best places in Casablanca to watch locals do their shopping and pick up a variety of traditional goods and souvenirs. Colorful babouches (traditional leather slippers) and clothing hang in front of the stalls. Women buy spices and fresh produce. At Casablanca's Central Market, sights and smells come first! It's one of the must-visit places if you're passing through the city. Located not far from the Medina, this temple of simple pleasures brings together Casablanca's residents from all walks of life from 11 o'clock.
Roomy swimming beach with a nearby promenade offering access to a shopping center.
Landmark mosque originally built as a Gothic-style church in the early 20th century.
One of Casablanca's oldest and most spacious parks, laid out during the French protectorate era. Wide shady avenues, palms and ficus trees, playgrounds and small fairground rides; on weekends families stream in and ice-cream sellers wait at the gates. The park offers escape from the Moroccan heat and traffic noise without tickets or a long journey — it sits right in the heart of the city.