Casablanca
Easygoing Casablanca: Ocean Views, Old Streets & Great Food
Gentle seaside city vibes with stress‑free culture and cuisine
Two relaxed days discovering Casablanca’s seaside corniche, grand mosque, and historic streets, with plenty of time for photos and lingering over local food. Everything is clustered by neighborhood so you can move slowly, enjoy the ambiance, and avoid transit stress.
Where to Stay
Odyssee Center Hotel
Comfortable 3–4 star hotel within a short taxi ride or 20‑minute walk of the old medina, La Sqala, and the Hassan II Mosque, with modern rooms, reliable Wi‑Fi, and a front desk used to helping international visitors with taxis and directions.
Good to Know
How to Explain Your Diet Simply
Before you go, write your dietary needs on a card in French (and optionally Arabic) using a translation app; for example, “Je ne peux pas manger de… [lait/gluten/noix/etc.]” (I cannot eat… [milk/gluten/nuts/etc.]). Show this card to servers when you sit down and then order very simple dishes (grilled meat or fish, plain vegetables, salads without dressing) to keep things clear.
Getting Around Easily
Petit taxis (small red taxis) are the simplest way to move between neighborhoods like Habous, Hassan II, and the Corniche; agree on using the meter or a fixed price before the ride, and keep small bills handy (10, 20, 50 MAD). For this itinerary, expect 2–3 short taxi rides per day and avoid traveling at the heaviest rush hour (around 8–9 AM and 5–7 PM) if you dislike traffic.
Money, Tipping, and Paying
Cash (Moroccan dirhams) is still preferred in small shops, cafés, and taxis, though mid‑range restaurants often take cards; tip around 5–10% in sit‑down restaurants if service is good, and round up a few dirhams for café staff and taxi drivers. ATMs are easy to find in the city center and malls, so you don’t need to carry large amounts of cash at once.
Your Weekend Itinerary
Pâtisserie Bennis Habous
Historic pastry shop famous for Moroccan cookies and breads; for restrictive diets you can safely choose plain options like sellou (roasted flour and nut blend eaten with a spoon), chebakia-style sesame sweets if seeds/nuts are okay, and simple breads or biscuits without fillings. Staff are used to people asking what each item contains, so you can point and ask them to show nut-free or dairy-free pieces if needed.
Habous Quarter (New Medina)
Stroll the arcaded streets, bookshops, spice vendors, and small artisan stores; great for gentle wandering and taking photos of old colonial-style architecture mixed with Moroccan details. Focus on the main square and nearby streets so you don’t get lost; you can easily circle back to where you started within 10–15 minutes.
Notre Dame de Lourdes Church
Visit this modern church known for its huge, colorful stained glass windows that wash the interior in light; photos are best taken quietly from the back or side aisles. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) to be respectful inside this active place of worship.
La Sqala
Restaurant in an 18th‑century seaside bastion with garden seating; they can accommodate many dietary needs by focusing on clearly separated items like charcoal-grilled fish (ask for simple salt, pepper, lemon), grilled chicken brochettes, plain couscous with vegetables only, or salads without cheese or dressing you can’t have. Tell your server your restrictions at the start; they’re used to adjusting plates for visitors.
Old Medina of Casablanca
After lunch at La Sqala, enter the nearby old medina gate and wander a short, simple loop: stay on the main lanes lined with clothing, household goods, and small food stalls, and head toward United Nations Square. Use the square’s tall clock tower as your orientation point so you can always walk back in 10–15 minutes. Great candid photo opportunities of everyday life, colorful doors, and alleyways.
Rick’s Café
Classic ‘Casablanca’ film‑inspired restaurant in a restored mansion near the port; while the menu skews international (steaks, pastas, seafood), they are experienced with special diets and can prepare simple grilled fish or meat with vegetables only, salads without problematic dressings, and can omit gluten or dairy if you specify. Reserve ahead and mention your restrictions in your booking and again with your server.
Hassan II Mosque (Exterior & Seafront)
Walk around the vast plaza, admire the ocean‑side setting, and take photos of the minaret and detailed tile work; for a guided interior tour, check current times in advance and wear modest clothing (shoulders, knees covered). You can access the seafront promenade below for more ocean shots and a breeze.
Café Bianca (within or near Hassan II complex / nearby cafés)
Choose a simple café near the mosque (your hotel can point you to the closest open option) and opt for straightforward items that are easy to adapt: plain omelette without cheese, fresh orange juice, black coffee or mint tea, and basic bread if you’re okay with gluten. Let the server know what you avoid so they can keep sides and spreads separate.
La Corniche & Ain Diab Beachfront Walk
In the afternoon, head to the seaside Corniche and walk the paved promenade along the Atlantic; you’ll pass beach clubs, cafés, and viewpoints over the water. It’s very straightforward—just follow the main walkway—and you can stop whenever you’re tired. Sunset here is especially good for photos of the sea and city lights.
Le Pilotis (or similar seafront seafood restaurant)
Sea‑view restaurant on or very near the water along the Corniche; they can usually prepare simply grilled fish or seafood with olive oil, lemon, and herbs only, along with plain rice or vegetables, and they can leave off sauces, butter, or breaded coatings if you ask clearly. For non‑seafood, you can choose grilled meat skewers or a basic salad tailored to your restrictions.
10 activities across 2 days
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