Hassan II Mosque
The world's third-largest mosque, rising on a platform above the Atlantic surf. It is one of the rare Moroccan mosques open to non-Muslims, on hourly guided tours — a fitting first sight before you head inland.
Fes, MoroccoConcierge · 7 Days · 9–21H GMT+1
Atlantic coast · Central Morocco
Casablanca, Morocco
Morocco's international front door — fly in to CMN, see the Hassan II Mosque, then point toward Fes by road or rail.
Best time
Year-round; April–October for the corniche
Recommended
Half-day to 1 night
Airport
Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN)
Region
Atlantic coast · Central Morocco
Why Casablanca
For most travellers building a Fes-based journey, Casablanca is where Morocco begins on paper: Mohammed V (CMN) is the country's busiest airport and the landing point for nearly every long-haul flight. The city itself is fast, modern and business-minded — French-era art deco, a breezy Atlantic corniche and the immense Hassan II Mosque poised over the water — rather than the medieval Morocco that draws people inland to Fes. We treat it as the gateway and transfer point: a clean half-day around the mosque and downtown before the roughly 3-hour run east to Fes, by private car or by train. The romance of the medina waits up the road; Casablanca is simply how you arrive.
What to see
Highlights of Casablanca.
Art-deco downtown
Place Mohammed V, the white facades and wrought-iron balconies of the French-protectorate quarter, and the restored Cinema Rialto.
Corniche & Ain Diab
The Atlantic boardwalk, breezy beach clubs and the Rick's Cafe terrace at sunset — an easy stretch of leg before the drive or train east.
Itineraries
Our Casablanca tours.
Every itinerary below is privately operated, fully customisable, and includes a deep stop in Casablanca. Click any tour for the day-by-day plan, the map, dates and pricing.
12h
Casablanca arrival half-day & onward transfer to Fes
Airport pickup at CMN, the Hassan II Mosque, an art-deco stroll and lunch, then a private onward transfer toward Fes (or a hand-off to the train).
from $180Enquire →
Before you go
Practical notes.
- Airport: CMN is Morocco's main international hub — direct flights from EU, US, Canada, Gulf, Africa
- Best for: Stopover, business travellers, architecture enthusiasts
Concierge
Have your Casablanca trip designed by a local
Tell us your dates, group size and pace. We'll send back a written proposal within 24 hours — private guides, transfers, riads, the lot.
Request a proposalFAQ
Casablanca — common questions.
Is Casablanca worth visiting?+
For most leisure travellers a half-day around the Hassan II Mosque and the art-deco centre is plenty. Treat it as your arrival or departure city and save your nights for Fes and the imperial cities inland.
Can I fly into Casablanca and go straight to Fes?+
Yes — it is the most common way in. CMN carries the widest choice of long-haul flights, and from the airport Fes is roughly 3 hours by private car, or a comfortable run on the rail network. Many guests fly in to CMN, spend an hour or two at the mosque, and continue to Fes the same day.
Closest destinations
Pair Casablanca with.
These destinations are closest to Casablanca — easily combined on a private itinerary.
85 kmCapital · Atlantic coast
Rabat
Morocco's calm, green capital — an easy 2h30 from Fes on the Al Boraq high-speed line.
Explore
93 kmAtlantic coast · Doukkala-Abda
El Jadida
El Jadida is Morocco's UNESCO Portuguese city — a 16th-century Atlantic fortress with a miraculous cistern, 90 minutes from Casablanca.
Explore
164 kmAtlantic coast · Chaouia-Côtière
Oualidia
Morocco's oyster lagoon on the Atlantic littoral — a coastal detour on the Casablanca–Essaouira run, off to the west of the Fes heartland.
ExploreRead more
From the journal.
Travel notes and practical guides to plan your time around Casablanca.