There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Casablanca each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national)For New Year's Eve (December 31 to January 1), Casablanca offers many evening entertainments with local food, spices, oriental music, and dance. The splendours of the Oriental night unfold in restaurants and nightclubs throughout this largest of Moroccan cities.
January 11: Proclamation of Independence Day (national)Casablanca hosts many festivities as Morocco celebrates the 1944 signing of the Proclamation, which symbolises the end of colonisation and the start of independence.
Third month of the Hijri calendar (date changes each year): Eid al-Mawlid Annabawi (national)The birth of the Prophet Muhammad is celebrated every year in Morocco. During this day, families show their devotion to their faith through prayers and gather to share traditional meals in a festive atmosphere.
May 1: Labour Day (national)On this day, festive events are organised alongside traditional trade union marches in the city centre.
Ninth month of the Hijri calendar: Ramadan (celebrated nationwide)Morocco celebrates the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Fasting begins each day at sunrise and ends at sunset. For the entire month, Casablanca operates at a slower pace during the day and stirs into action at nightfall.
First day of the tenth month of the Hijri calendar: Eid al-Fitr (national holiday)In Islam, this day marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan and is a time for family celebrations and great feasts bringing together all family members.
July 30: Enthronement (national)A day of national celebration commemorating the enthronement of King Mohammed VI. This holiday is marked by major festivities: parades, ceremonies, official speeches, fireworks…
August 14: Oued Ed-Dahab Day (national)This holiday marks the return of the Saharan provinces to Morocco in 1949. With great fanfare, hundreds of Sahrawi representatives mandated by the population of Oued Ed-Dahab (Rio de Oro), travel from the extreme southern province to pledge allegiance to the Moroccan king.
August 20: Revolution of the King and the People (national)A symbolic day recalling the deportation of King Mohammed V after his dismissal by the French authorities in 1953. Military parades, fireworks, and flags flying from windows everywhere… Moroccans celebrate, in a very festive manner, their love for their king.
August 21: Youth Day (national)Moroccan youth is celebrated on the anniversary of the birth of King Mohammed VI. Performances, dances, happenings—Casablanca's children pour their hearts out on the streets of the city.
Tenth day of the last month of the Hijri calendar: Eid al-Adha (national holiday)It is considered the most important of the yearly Muslim holidays and honours Ibrahim as a model for all believers. This is also an occasion for sumptuous family gatherings, for which it is recommended to multiply offerings and gifts.
November 6: Green March (national)Inaugurated by Hassan II, this holiday commemorates the strategic march of 350,000 Moroccans in 1975 to the Spanish Sahara, to force Spain to hand over the province.
November 18: Independence Day (national)On this day of national celebration, Morocco celebrates its acquisition of statehood in 1955, and the end of its status as a French protectorate.
Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 8/46 | 17/63 | 65/2.5 | Not the best period to go |
February | 8/46 | 18/64 | 63/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
March | 10/50 | 20/68 | 65/2.5 | Not the best period to go |
April | 11/52 | 22/72 | 42/1.6 | Not the best period to go |
May | 14/57 | 23/73 | 27/1.0 | Good period to go
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June | 16/61 | 25/77 | 8/0.3 | Good period to go
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July | 18/64 | 28/82 | 0 | Good period to go
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August | 18/64 | 28/82 | 0 | Good period to go
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September | 17/63 | 27/80 | 10/0.4 | Good period to go
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October | 15/59 | 25/77 | 47/1.8 | Good period to go
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November | 12/53 | 21/70 | 83/3.2 | Not the best period to go |
December | 9/48 | 18/64 | 85/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
The Mohammed V International Airport is located about 30 kilometres south of Casablanca.
Traffic in Casablanca is often chaotic for cars, buses, and even pedestrians. The tram, which serves the main roads of the city, is the ideal way to explore.
Foreigners can use their driving licenses in Morocco. But beware: finding a place to park in the city centre can often be difficult. Expect to pay around MAD 2 for half-hour daytime and around MAD 30 from 8:00 p.m. to 9 a.m.
The M'Dina bus company has more than 45 bus lines in Casablanca.
Buses run from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. On average, there is a bus every 10 to 15 minutes.
You can buy your tickets directly on the bus for MAD 5.
Inaugurated in 2012, the Casablanca tramway is the safest and fastest way to get around the city. The 31-kilometre line connects the most important points of the city: universities, ONCF stations, historic centres and the Art Deco district, the business district, hospitals, and the Derb Ghallef shopping district. Tickets are MAD 6 and on sale in kiosks and tram station distributors. The ticket allows you to make connections in the hour following the first validation. For more information on fares, schedules, and points of sale, visit the official website (www.casatramway.ma/, in French and Arabic only). The tram runs from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., 7 days a week, every 5 to 15 minutes (depending on peak hours).
In urban areas, the ‘little red taxis' are easily available: you can flag one down on the street. It is possible that other passengers will already be aboard: in Casablanca, taxi sharing is common. The price of a trip in the city is set by the meter (make sure it is switched on when you board). A city trip should not be more than MAD 20. From 10:00 p.m., the price per kilometre is increased by 50%. The base price MAD 3.50.
Once you arrive in Casablanca, don't hesitate to get in touch with tourism professionals for information and help in organising your stay.
Visit CasablancaOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The currency used in Morocco is the Moroccan dirham (MAD).
1 € = 10,84 MAD
1 MAD = 0,09 €
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation. Casablanca counts several hospitals and medical institutions as well as medical practitioners.
VaccinationNo vaccine is mandatory to stay in Casablanca. However, it is recommended that travellers be vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, and typhoid.
For more information, contact the Air France Vaccination Centre:
There are few risks of food safety in Rabat. However, it is recommended to:
Tap water is safe to drink in Casablanca.
Most nationalities visiting Morocco do not require a visa and are allowed to stay in the country for 90 days, provided the individual has a valid passport (30 days for citizens of Hong Kong and Singapore).
However, some foreign nationals are subject to visa formalities before entering Morocco. For more information, visit the website of Morocco's Consular and Social Affairs:
www.service-public.ma/en/web/guest/home
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Morocco, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few useful phrases in Arabic for your stay in Casablanca.
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: Sabah al-khair
Thank you very much: Shukran jaziilan
Could you repeat ?: Mumkin te'id ?
What time is it ?: Kam el sa'ah?
Train station: Mahattat al-qitaar
I'm looking for (…): Abhass ane (…)
Do you have (…)?: Hal 'indak (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Ayna ajed (…)?
Tipping
In Morocco, the tip is not included in the bill. It is therefore customary to leave a 10 to 15% tip. As salaries are relatively low, tipping the hotel's housekeeping staff (maids, porters, etc.) is an appreciated gesture.