Plan Your Trip to Casablanca: Best of Casablanca Tourism
Casablanca, Morocco
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City Tours and Cultural Visits
Some travelers suggested taking city tours during layovers, which can include visits to prominent sites such as the Hassan II Mosque. These tours can be arranged to include pick-ups directly from the airport.
Relaxation and Accommodation
For relaxation during longer layovers, travelers have recommended booking a room at nearby hotels like the Relax Airport Hotel, which offers free shuttle services to and from the airport. This allows for rest, refreshment, and a temporary escape from the airport environment.
Dining and Local Exploration
According to forum posts, exploring local cuisine is a viable option. Travelers mentioned that even if going into the city center might be restricted by time, nearby airport hotels often provide shuttle services to local restaurants, offering a taste of local food without venturing too far.
Swimming and Leisure
For families, especially those with children, using hotel amenities such as swimming pools at airport hotels has been suggested as a good way to relax and let younger travelers unwind during a layover.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Public Transit Options
According to forum posts, Casablanca offers a variety of public transit options, including trains, buses, and trams. The train service is available from Casa Port station to other destinations such as Salé, with schedules accessible via ONCF.ma. Trams are also operational, providing an easy way to navigate through the city with a flat fare for any distance.
Taxi Services
Some travelers mentioned that taxis are readily available for direct transit from locations like the airport to the city center or hotels. The cost for a grand taxi from the airport can range between 250 and 350 DH, with prices increasing at night. Alternatively, smaller taxis can cost about 10 to 20 DH for short rides from stations like Casa Port to nearby hotels.
Alternative Transport
For those looking to avoid waiting, applications like Careem, Roby, or Heetch offer ridesharing options in Casablanca. Notably, these services might require a local SIM card for optimal usage.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Visiting Tours and Tickets
Some travelers mentioned that the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca requires visitors to purchase tickets for a guided tour if they want to see more than just the main prayer room. Tours are available in multiple languages and typically run every hour. The ticket office is located at the front of the mosque, and as per some posts, it opens at 8:45 AM. Tour prices were noted as 120 MAD for adults for the mosque tour and 30 MAD for the museum, with slightly discounted prices for combined tickets.
Visitor Access and Guidelines
According to forum posts, the mosque offers tours that include the main hall and the cleansing fountains in the basement. Non-Muslims must join a guided tour to access these areas, while Muslims can enter for prayer without a tour. Some travelers highlighted the importance of adhering to a dress code, although enforcement seems inconsistent. The mosque is praised for its architecture and is worth visiting, even if only from the outside.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Currency Exchange Locations
According to forum posts, travelers can exchange currency at several locations in Casablanca, including the airport, banks, and specialized bureaux de change. It's recommended to exchange money in the downtown area for better rates, particularly around United Nations Square where many money shops are located.
Airport Currency Exchange
Some travelers have mentioned that while Casablanca airport offers currency exchange facilities, the rates might not be as favorable as those found downtown. It's suggested to exchange a small amount at the airport if necessary and look for better rates in the city.
ATM Usage
For many users, withdrawing money from ATMs seems to be a preferred option. It's advisable to use ATMs from BMCI and Al Barid as they historically did not charge local transaction fees, although recent updates suggest that BMCI might have started charging fees. The maximum withdrawal limit is typically around 2000 DH per transaction.
Currency Tips
Travelers have called out that it's essential to ensure that foreign banknotes are in good condition, as damaged notes may be refused by money changers. Dirhams are a closed currency, meaning they are best obtained and exchanged within Morocco.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Luggage Storage Options
According to forum posts, luggage storage options in Casablanca are limited. Some travelers have suggested booking a cheap hotel room for the day to store luggage, as there are no lockers at Casablanca airport or the Casa Voyagers train station. Hotels like Hotel Gallia and Hotel Terminus have been mentioned for their proximity to transport hubs and might offer luggage storage services.
Alternative Suggestions
Travelers have called out alternatives such as leaving luggage at the CTM bus station, although this is not officially sanctioned and depends on the discretion of the staff. Another unconventional option mentioned is asking local establishments like the Bistrot du Titan near the CTM station if they can watch over your luggage for a short period.
Hotel Specifics
For many users, the Ibis hotel next to the Casa Voyagers station has been known to store luggage for a tip, even if you're not staying there. This could be a viable option for those needing temporary storage.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.
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