Casablanca-Settat

Casablanca — or just "Casa" as locals call it — is Morocco's economic engine and its most cosmopolitan city. Forget the film: it's not romantic and foggy. It's a massive, fast-moving Atlantic port city of over 4 million people where Art Deco French colonial buildings stand next to glass office towers and traditional bakeries sit next to hip cafes. The European influence here runs deep. French is used constantly in business and signage, and younger Casablancans switch between Darija, French, and English mid-sentence. This makes it easier to navigate than Fez or Marrakech, but also means it can feel less distinctly "Moroccan" to some visitors. That's both its strength and its mild disappointment. The real culture lives in the markets, the neighborhood cafes where men nurse mint tea for hours, and the Friday afternoon energy around the Hassan II Mosque. Moroccan culture runs on ritual greeting — skipping a proper "Salam" when you walk into a shop feels genuinely rude. Dress conservatively outside the beach and tourist zones. Alcohol is available in licensed establishments (bars, hotel restaurants) but drinking in public is illegal. LGBTQ+ relationships are illegal in Morocco, and travelers should be aware of this. Same-sex couples should exercise discretion. Morocco set a tourism record of 19.8 million visitors in 2025, and Casablanca is increasingly part of that story as 2030 World Cup infrastructure investment pours into the city.

Casablanca is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime against visitors is rare, and Morocco's dedicated Tourist Police (Brigade Touristique) is present in all major tourist areas and responds quickly to complaints. The realistic risks are petty theft and scams, not violence. Pickpocketing is most common in the Old Medina and crowded markets. Use a crossbody bag, keep your phone out of your back pocket, and stay alert in large crowds. Avoid the areas of Hay Mohammadi and the outer port districts after dark — there's no tourist reason to be there anyway. Solo female travelers can and do visit Casablanca safely, but verbal harassment (catcalling, persistent approaches) is more common here than in most European cities. Dress modestly, avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, and use Careem or Careem rather than flagging random taxis late at night. Always insist on the meter in petit taxis or agree on a price before getting in — this prevents the most common tourist rip-off. Unofficial 'guides' who offer to show you around typically steer you toward commission shops. Ignore them politely and keep walking. LGBTQ+ relationships are illegal in Morocco; same-sex couples should exercise discretion. Alcohol in public is illegal. Keep your dirham withdrawals at reputable ATMs (Al Barid Bank is a safe bet) and don't flash cash in busy markets. Tap water is treated but stick to bottled to avoid stomach issues.

Mohammed V International Airport (CMN) is the main entry point, 30km southeast of the city center. The Airport Express train (Train Navette Rapide) runs directly from the airport to Casa Voyageurs station in about 45 minutes for 45 MAD — much cheaper than a taxi and surprisingly reliable. The city's tram network now has four lines (T1, T2, T3, T4) covering 72.5 km. A single ride is 8 MAD (flat rate). Weekly passes cost 60 MAD and monthly passes are 230 MAD. The tram is air-conditioned and connects the Hassan II Mosque, Casa Port station, and the main shopping and residential districts. Bring coins for the ticket machines in suburban stations. The tram gets packed during rush hour and delays do happen. Red petit taxis are the go-to for point-to-point trips. Base fare is 7.5 MAD, rising with distance. Always, always ask for the meter (say "sh3al l kontor, 3afak"). A cross-city ride should cost 25-40 MAD. The Careem app works well here, allows card payment, and removes the meter argument entirely. For intercity travel, ONCF trains are excellent. Casablanca to Marrakech: 80-100 MAD, about 2.5 hours. Casablanca to Rabat: 40-60 MAD, about 1 hour. The Al Boraq high-speed train to Tangier takes 2 hours 10 minutes for 150-220 MAD. Book through the ONCF website for promotional fares from 99 MAD. City buses exist but are hard to plan around and poorly signed in English. Skip them unless you have a local to guide you.