Cruise port · Morocco · Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles
Casablanca cruise port guide
Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city and economic hub, and its port sits close to the old medina and a short taxi ride from the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world. It’s a modern, sprawling city rather than a romantic one, so many cruisers pair the mosque with an excursion to Rabat, about an hour away, or a very long day in Marrakech.
- Hassan II Mosque
- Moroccan culture
- Rabat day trips
- Art Deco architecture
- First taste of Africa
Photo: Иерей Максим Массалитин from Rabat, Maroc, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Country
- Morocco
- Region
- Canary Islands & Atlantic Isles
- Type of stop
- Cruise port
- Language
- Arabic and Amazigh are the official languages. French is the language of business, and English is common in tourist areas.
- Currency
- Moroccan dirham (MAD). Use ATMs in the city; euros are accepted in some tourist shops.
- Best time to visit
- January–December
- Average highs
- 67–88°F through the year
About Casablanca
Despite its movie fame, Casablanca is a busy commercial city of wide boulevards, French colonial Art Deco buildings and an Atlantic seafront. Its undisputed highlight is the Hassan II Mosque, built partly over the ocean, with a minaret among the tallest in the world and an interior that non-Muslims can visit on guided tours.
Port days usually combine the mosque with the Habous quarter, the old medina and the Corniche, or head to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, for its kasbah and royal monuments. Marrakech is about three hours each way by road, leaving only a few hours in the city. Casablanca suits travelers curious about modern Morocco; those seeking the medieval souks of Fez or Marrakech may find it less atmospheric.
Where cruise ships dock in Casablanca
Ships dock in Casablanca’s commercial port, close to the old medina and downtown. Walking out through the port area isn’t pleasant, so most passengers use a shuttle, taxi or excursion coach. The Hassan II Mosque is about 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from the port, roughly 10 minutes by taxi. Rabat is about 55 miles (90 km) away, an hour or more by road, and Marrakech about 150 miles (240 km), roughly three hours each way. Agree on taxi fares before you set off.
Best things to do in Casablanca on a cruise
- 1
Hassan II Mosque
culture
Completed in 1993, this vast mosque stands on a platform over the Atlantic, with a minaret over 650 feet (200 m) tall. Guided tours for non-Muslims show off the carved cedar, marble and zellige tilework of the prayer hall and ablution rooms. Tours run between prayer times; dress modestly.
- 2
Habous Quarter
shopping
Built by the French in the 1930s as a new medina, the Habous quarter has arcaded streets, a royal palace wall and shops selling olives, spices, lanterns and books. Pâtisserie Bennis Habous is known for traditional Moroccan pastries.
- 3
Old Medina
culture
Casablanca’s old medina is smaller and less touristy than those in Fez or Marrakech, with narrow lanes, everyday markets and local life. It sits right next to the port and is best visited with a guide.
- 4
Rabat
history
Morocco’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage city with the blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas overlooking the ocean, the unfinished Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V with its royal guards. It makes a calmer, rewarding excursion.
- 5
Marrakech
culture
The Red City’s Jemaa el-Fnaa square, souks, Koutoubia Mosque and gardens are a highlight of Morocco for many visitors, but at about three hours each way, this is a very long day with limited time in the city. Only consider it on a long port call and with a ship excursion.
- 6
The Corniche and Art Deco downtown
culture
Casablanca’s Atlantic Corniche at Aïn Diab is lined with beach clubs and cafés. Downtown, around Mohammed V Square and Boulevard Mohammed V, look for French colonial Art Deco and Mauresque buildings.
Casablanca weather by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6719 | 6820 | 7021 | 7423 | 7926 | 8228 | 8731 | 8831 | 8429 | 8127 | 7423 | 7021 |
| Low °F (°C) | 5211 | 5312 | 5513 | 5814 | 6217 | 6619 | 6921 | 7122 | 6920 | 6619 | 5915 | 5513 |
| Rain in (mm) | 1.947 | 2.050 | 3.589 | 0.922 | 1.333 | 0.13 | 0.13 | 0.25 | 2.154 | 1.436 | 2.153 | 1.949 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
What to eat and drink in Casablanca
Moroccan dishes to try include tagine, slow-cooked with meat, vegetables, olives or preserved lemon; couscous, often served on Fridays; and pastilla, a flaky pie filled with chicken or seafood and dusted with cinnamon and sugar. Harira soup and fresh seafood are common. The Marché Central downtown has seafood stalls that will cook your choice. Sweet mint tea and almond pastries round out any meal.
Tips for your port day
- Use a ship excursion, licensed guide or reputable taxi; agree on fares before you get in.
- Dress modestly, especially for the Hassan II Mosque tour; shoulders and knees should be covered.
- Morocco uses the dirham, which is hard to obtain outside the country; ATMs are widely available in the city.
- Marrakech is a very long round trip from Casablanca. Rabat is often the better choice on a normal port day.
- Look up the latest U.S. State Department guidance on Morocco before your cruise.
Cruise lines that visit Casablanca
Often on the same itinerary
Casablanca cruise FAQs
How far is the Hassan II Mosque from the Casablanca cruise port?
About 1.5 miles (2.5 km), roughly 10 minutes by taxi. Guided tours for non-Muslims run between prayer times.
Can you visit Marrakech from Casablanca on a cruise?
Yes, but it’s about three hours each way by road, leaving limited time in the city. It’s only practical on a long port day with a ship excursion.
Is Casablanca safe for cruise passengers?
Generally yes. Use licensed taxis or excursions, watch for pickpockets in busy areas and check the latest U.S. State Department advisory.
Is Rick’s Café in Casablanca real?
The film was shot in Hollywood, but a restaurant and piano bar called Rick’s Café, styled after the movie, now operates in an old mansion near the medina.
Can non-Muslims visit the Hassan II Mosque?
Yes. It’s one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, on guided tours outside prayer times. Dress modestly.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikipedia, Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.