Morocco is a popular tourist destination in Northern Africa, boasting amazing beaches along its Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, as well as incredible landscapes including snow-capped mountain peaks and endless sand dunes. One of its most iconic, vibrant and colorful cities is Casablanca, located in the central part of the country on the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the city's popularity with tourists from all over the world, Casablanca's airport is the busiest in Morocco and Casablanca car rentals offer a wide variety of options to travelers who want to explore the country on their own.
Places to visit by car in and around Casablanca
1. Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque is one of Casablanca's most impressive buildings and one of the biggest mosques worldwide. It was built on a rocky part of the coast right at the sea. The mosque welcomes visitors outside of prayer times and its many mosaics, wooden carvings and oceanfront location will give you the opportunity to dive into the country's culture and history.
2. Corniche
Casablanca's beachfront district is located in the Ain Diab suburb only a short distance from the city center. With its wide sandy beaches, beach clubs and luxury hotels, it attracts families, sun worshipers and tourists alike.
3. Dar Bouazza
This small town located approximately 13 miles south of Casablanca is considered Morocco's surfing center. Due to its location on the Atlantic coast, the city sees steady, year-round waves and the beach is lined with many surf shops as well as windsurf and kitesurf operators.
4. Azemmour
About 50 miles south of Casablanca is Azemmour, a small city with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. The Medina's walls are decorated with contemporary murals and the remains of ramparts that used to encircle the city center are very much worth a visit.
5. El Jadida
The port city of El Jadida is located about 65 miles south of Casablanca on Morocco's Atlantic coast. The city's old fortress is a UNESCO world heritage and one of the first settlements created by Portuguese explorers in Africa. The city displays a mix of European and Moroccan influences with many architectural gems.
Getting a rental car in Casablanca is a great option to explore this exciting city and its surroundings. The roads in this region are excellent, making it easy for tourists to travel around. If your stay in Casablanca is only the beginning of a longer trip across Morocco, using a rental car can be a valuable alternative to traveling by plane. Casablanca is approximately a one hour drive from Rabat, a three hour drive from Marrakech and a four hour drive from Fez so that it can be the perfect starting point for a journey across Morocco.