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Casablanca Morocco Cruise Port Guide
Location:
Look for the spectacular Hassan II mosque when you approach the port.
There are no facilities at the dock and the city center is only about 1000 -1250 meters away depending where you are docked, so you can easily do it on foot. However, it is through an industrial area and therefore not an appealing stroll. If it is hot, and it often is, walking is not recommended
The city of Casablanca provides shuttle services to the center of town, about 15 Euro.
Or negotiate with one of the taxis waiting at the dockside. About 10 euro to the center of town, often cheaper on the way back to the ship. No meters, so negociate!
Situated on the Atlantic, Casablanca has one of the largest artificial ports in the world.
Printable map to take along on your cruise.
Cruise calendar for this port.
Watch a destination video.
Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers
Monthly Climate Averages for Casablanca Morocco
Sightseeing:
Hassan II mosque: the French Michel Pineau planned and designed a colossal temple destined to be, because of its dimensions, the second Mussulman temple of the world, after the mosque of the Mecca. It's prayer hall van hold 25.000 people.
Just back from the waterfront is the old medina, which has some lovely examples of Moorish architecture.
The city of Casablanca for the rest is not particularly interesting.
Tours Excursions Transportation:
No commercial excursion companies operate near de port.
Walking to the Medina and exploring the city from there is your best bet, it is difficult to get lost as you will see the harbor almost from any point.
Note: the streets and alleys are pretty steep and paved with cobblestones.
The most popular ship's excursion is a trip through the desert to the 11th-century city of Marrakesh. It's famous for its palaces and gardens and a fascinating marketplace where snake charmers, jugglers, acrobats, fire-eaters and fortune-tellers crowd the streets. Marrakech is amazing. It is much more interesting than Casablanca. You definitely need a tour. It is quite far from the port and will be a tiring day. The countryside is worth seeing. Doing Marrakesh on your own, is best done by train.
It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.
Nearby Places:
Marrakesh (250 km) and Rabat (90 km) are popular destinations. A new train station (a 20 minute walk or a $5 taxi away) at the port is in operation. The name is Casa Port. Trains to Rabat Ville leave about every 60 minutes. Credit cards accepted. About $4 second class and $8 for first class one way. Trip takes about 75 minutes.
Shopping and Food
Casablanca's Central Market lies just inland from the port: head left along the Boulevard Maoulay Abderrahmane and then turn right to Avenue Pasteur.
Argan oil is sold as cosmetic oil for the women.
Currency:
Currency is Moroccan Dirham (MAD). This currency is divided into 100 centimes.
It is forbidden to export Moroccan money and it is not possible to exchange it; therefore, you should try and spend all your local money before you leave.
There are no restrictions on the amounts of foreign currencies imported. There are banknotes of 10, 50, 100 and 200 DH. In the cities banks have cash points and they are open between 8 and 11,30 a.m. and between 2 and 4,30 p.m. In the summer they sometimes don't close at lunchtime.
Most hotels, restaurants and antique shops accept credit cards.
Communication:
Language: Arabic, Berber and French.
Cafes which offer free WiFi for customers are open late and are numerous and charge very reasonable fees. The keyboards look international but are not! You will have to ask for assistance.
emergency phone numbers: Police: 19; Fire Service: 15.
Opening Hours and Holidays:
Shops are in general open 7 days a week with no set opening hours. On large national and Islamic holidays, they stay closed and Casablanca has little to offer.
The biggest event on the Moroccan calendar is the month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast during the daytime and feast at night. Most restaurants are closed for lunch (with the exception of those catering specifically to tourists) and things generally slow down. Traveling during this time is entirely possible, and the restrictions don't apply to non-Muslims, but it's respectful to refrain from eating, drinking or smoking in public during the fast.
Holidays in Morocco
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