CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

Casablanca is an economic and cultural hub of Morocco that’s full of romance and charm.  

The central downtown area is full of travel opportunities. Stroll through the Old Medina to get a glimpse of what Casablanca was like before French rule, and peruse the various spices, leather goods, and other artisan crafts for sale. For more shopping and dining opportunities, head to the Quartier Habous, a quaint miniature village.

Architecture and history lovers might consider paying a visit to the Royal Palace. It boasts an Arab-Muslim architectural style on the outside, and a Mediterranean-style garden on the inside. (Note: pre-arranged bookings are required.) Mohammed V Square, the United Nations Square, Villa of the Arts, and the Arab League Park are other striking sites to consider visiting.

On the outskirts of the downtown area, points of interest include the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, the Ain Diab beach, and Rick’s Café (a must see if you love the movie Casablanca!). We highly recommend paying a visit to the Hassan II Mosque. It’s an impressive structure with the world’s tallest minaret that can host 25,000 worshippers. It’s one of the only mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, and a great travel opportunity.

If port time allows, you may want to take a longer day trip to Marrakesh (151mi/244km away) or Rabat (54 mi/87km) to explore different sides of Morocco.

The port is quite industrial and the distance between the ship and port gate is roughly 2.5km. Your ship will likely offer a shuttle service from there into downtown Casablanca, which is 4mi/2.4 km away.

 Enjoy your exploration ashore!