Casablanca spreads across a coastal plain with 16 administrative districts, but visitors spend time in five core areas: the French-built Centre Ville, the upmarket Maarif shopping district, the artisan Habous Quarter, the Corniche beach strip, and the working Old Medina. Here is how each Casablanca neighborhood breaks down.
Centre Ville (City Centre) Neighborhood in Casablanca
Centre Ville is the grid-planned French colonial core, bounded by Boulevard Mohammed V to the east, Boulevard Moulay Youssef to the north, Place des Nations Unies to the south and Rue Allal Ben Abdellah to the west. This is where you find the Art Deco architecture, Place Mohammed V fountain and government buildings, the Marche Central food market, and most business hotels. Wide boulevards with cafes and patisseries define the streetscape. Known for walkable sightseeing, excellent people-watching at outdoor cafes, and the highest concentration of restaurants serving alcohol in the city. Suits business travellers, architecture enthusiasts and first-time visitors wanting central access to everything. Average hotel prices: 800-1,500 MAD (€73-136) for four-star business hotels. The area is safe to walk at night along the main boulevards.
Maarif Neighborhood in Casablanca
Maarif is Casablanca’s upmarket retail and residential district south-west of Centre Ville, centred on Boulevard d’Anfa. The area’s main artery, Rue Tahar Sebti, is lined with French and international brand stores. The Twin Center (two 28-storey towers with a shopping mall at the base) marks the southern boundary. Known for high-end shopping, the best concentration of non-hotel restaurants (including the city’s strongest French and Italian options), modern apartment rentals and Casablanca’s most liberal, European-feeling atmosphere. Suits couples wanting restaurant variety and shoppers staying 2-4 nights. Average hotel prices: 1,000-2,000 MAD (€91-182) for four-to-five-star. Also contains the RUC Stadium where the L’Boulevard music festival takes place.
Habous Quarter Neighborhood in Casablanca
Habous (Nouvelle Medina) sits 2km south-east of Centre Ville, bounded by Boulevard Victor Hugo to the north and Boulevard Moulay Ismail to the south. Built 1918-1954 by French architects as a planned neighborhood blending Moroccan traditional design with modern infrastructure. The quarter contains the Royal Palace (exterior view only), Mahkama du Pacha court building, artisan souks selling leather, ceramics and spices, and traditional bakeries making the best cornes de gazelle (almond pastries) in the city. Known for artisan shopping at lower prices than Marrakech, photogenic architecture and the functioning olive and spice markets. Suits shoppers and photographers staying 2-3 hours, not an overnight destination (few hotels). Average hotel prices: 400-700 MAD (€36-64) at the few guesthouses. Best visited 09:00-13:00 when stalls are fully active.
Corniche / Ain Diab Neighborhood in Casablanca
The Corniche runs 3km along the Atlantic from the Hassan II Mosque south-west to the Morocco Mall, with the Ain Diab beach clubs and luxury apartments forming the core. This is Casablanca’s answer to the French Riviera: beach clubs with pools (Tahiti, Miami Plage), seafood restaurants on terraces over the sea, and high-rise residential towers with ocean views. The Morocco Mall sits at the southern end. Known for the beach lifestyle, sunset restaurant dinners and Casablanca’s most expensive real estate. Suits travellers who want a resort feel in the city, families with a car who want beach access, and anyone prioritising ocean views over walkable urban exploring. Average hotel prices: 1,500-3,000 MAD (€136-273) for beachfront five-star. The area is poorly connected to public transport; taxis are essential (30-40 MAD to Centre Ville). Morning marin fog blankets the Corniche from June to August as noted in our Casablanca weather by month guide.
Old Medina Neighborhood in Casablanca
The Old Medina occupies the walled area north of Place des Nations Unies, wrapping around the port. Unlike tourist medinas in other Moroccan cities, this is a functioning residential and commercial district where ordinary Casablancais live. Narrow alleys contain small grocery stalls, used-clothing sellers and neighbourhood mosques rather than souvenir shops. The Sqala fortress cafe-restaurant on the northwest edge is the main tourist-oriented venue. Known for authentic, untouristed Moroccan urban life, the Sqala gardens with ocean views, and some of the cheapest street food in the city (brochettes, snail soup). Suits curious travellers wanting to see real Casablanca life, photographers, and budget food explorers. Not suited for those wanting tourist amenities or easily navigable streets. No hotels in the Medina itself; stay in Centre Ville and walk 10 minutes. Women should dress conservatively and may feel more comfortable visiting with a companion rather than alone.
