Where to stay · Casablanca · Morocco
Where to stay in Casablanca
6 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sambasoccer27, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Centre-Ville. Art Deco boulevards, the Marché Central and budget-to-mid-range hotels. Best alternatives — families: Ain Diab and the Corniche; nightlife: Ain Diab and the Corniche.
Key facts
- First visit
- Centre-Ville
- Families
- Ain Diab and the Corniche
- Budget
- Centre-Ville
- Nightlife
- Ain Diab and the Corniche
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Centre-Ville | Art Deco boulevards, the Marché Central and budget-to-mid-range hotels |
| Families | Ain Diab and the Corniche | Seafront hotels, beach clubs and restaurants along the Atlantic |
| Couples | Ain Diab and the Corniche | Seafront hotels, beach clubs and restaurants along the Atlantic |
| Budget | Centre-Ville | Art Deco boulevards, the Marché Central and budget-to-mid-range hotels |
| Luxury | Casablanca Marina | New seafront towers, a promenade and business hotels near the Hassan II Mosque |
| Nightlife | Ain Diab and the Corniche | Seafront hotels, beach clubs and restaurants along the Atlantic |
| Food lovers | Gauthier and Racine | Leafy residential streets with cafés, boutiques and restaurants |
| Solo travellers | Centre-Ville | Art Deco boulevards, the Marché Central and budget-to-mid-range hotels |
| Shopping | Gauthier and Racine | Leafy residential streets with cafés, boutiques and restaurants |
| Quiet stays | Gauthier and Racine | Leafy residential streets with cafés, boutiques and restaurants |
| Beach | Ain Diab and the Corniche | Seafront hotels, beach clubs and restaurants along the Atlantic |
Casablanca neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for beach, nightlife, families and couples
Ain Diab and the Corniche
Ain Diab stretches along the Boulevard de la Corniche west of the city centre, with large hotels, beach clubs with pools, seafood restaurants, cafés and nightclubs facing the ocean. Morocco Mall is at its western end and the Hassan II Mosque about 15 minutes by taxi to the east.
- Good
- Ocean views and sunset walks; Beach clubs and pools; Lively evenings
- Watch out
- Taxi needed for downtown sights; Traffic and noise on weekend nights
- Nearby
- Corniche Ain Diab, Morocco Mall, Sidi Abderrahmane, El Hank Lighthouse
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, culture and solo travellers
Centre-Ville
The downtown grid around Boulevard Mohammed V, Place Mohammed V and the Marché Central is lined with 1920s–1950s Art Deco apartment blocks, cinemas and arcades. Hotels here are central and good value, the tram runs through, and Casa-Port station and the old medina are a short walk away.
- Good
- Central for sights and trains; Architecture on every street; Good-value hotels
- Watch out
- Busy, traffic-heavy streets; Some buildings are run-down
- Nearby
- Boulevard Mohammed V, Marché Central, Place Mohammed V, Old Medina
$$$ · Best for first-timers, luxury and couples
Casablanca Marina
The new marina district between the port and the Hassan II Mosque has modern hotels, apartments, offices and a seafront promenade, with the old medina and Casa-Port station close by. It is a convenient upscale base for short stays.
- Good
- Walk to the Hassan II Mosque; Modern hotels; Seafront promenade
- Watch out
- Still developing in places; Limited street life
- Nearby
- Hassan II Mosque, Old Medina, Casa-Port station
$$$ · Best for couples, food lovers, quiet stays and shopping
Gauthier and Racine
West of downtown, Gauthier and Racine are among the city's most pleasant areas to stay, with tree-lined streets of 1930s villas and apartments, independent restaurants, cafés and concept stores. Parc de la Ligue Arabe and the Sacré-Cœur former cathedral are close by.
- Good
- Attractive streets and cafés; Good restaurants; Central but calmer
- Watch out
- Fewer hotels than the centre; Taxi needed for the Corniche
- Nearby
- Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Sacré-Cœur Cathedral, Boulevard d'Anfa
$$ · Best for shopping, budget and solo travellers
Maarif
Maarif is a commercial district of fashion shops, cafés, restaurants and mid-range hotels around Boulevard Zerktouni and the Twin Center towers. It is well located between downtown and the Corniche, and a good base for shoppers.
- Good
- Good shopping and restaurants; Mid-range hotels; Between downtown and the beach
- Watch out
- Traffic-heavy; Few sights
- Nearby
- Twin Center, Boulevard Zerktouni, Parc de la Ligue Arabe
$$ · Best for culture, shopping and quiet stays
Habous
The Quartier Habous was built by the French in the 1930s as a planned medina, with whitewashed arcades, small squares, bookshops, olive stalls and long-established pastry shops beside the Royal Palace. It has few hotels but is one of the city's most charming areas to visit.
- Good
- Calm and attractive; Traditional crafts and pastries; Less hassle than older medinas
- Watch out
- Very few hotels; Away from the sea and downtown
- Nearby
- Mahkama du Pacha, Royal Palace, Olive market
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Ain Diab and the Corniche | $$$ | Corniche Ain Diab, Morocco Mall, Sidi Abderrahmane, El Hank Lighthouse |
| Centre-Ville | $$ | Boulevard Mohammed V, Marché Central, Place Mohammed V, Old Medina |
| Casablanca Marina | $$$ | Hassan II Mosque, Old Medina, Casa-Port station |
| Gauthier and Racine | $$$ | Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Sacré-Cœur Cathedral, Boulevard d'Anfa |
| Maarif | $$ | Twin Center, Boulevard Zerktouni, Parc de la Ligue Arabe |
| Habous | $$ | Mahkama du Pacha, Royal Palace, Olive market |
Getting to your hotel
Mohammed V International Airport is about 30 km south of the city. ONCF trains run from the airport station to Casa-Voyageurs and Casa-Port in about 30–40 minutes; grand taxis from the official rank take about 40–60 minutes depending on traffic.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Casablanca for first-time visitors?
Centre-Ville. The downtown grid around Boulevard Mohammed V, Place Mohammed V and the Marché Central is lined with 1920s–1950s Art Deco apartment blocks, cinemas and arcades.
+Where should families stay in Casablanca?
Ain Diab and the Corniche: Ocean views and sunset walks.
+Which area of Casablanca is best for a budget stay?
Centre-Ville ($$): Art Deco boulevards, the Marché Central and budget-to-mid-range hotels.