Art Deco boulevards, Atlantic Ocean sunsets, and Morocco’s most cosmopolitan energy — welcome to Casablanca, the country’s modern heartbeat.
Often overlooked by travelers rushing onward to Marrakech or the coast, Casablanca rewards those who linger. For LGBTQ+ travelers, it offers a more discreet but deeply stylish experience: luxury hotels, refined dining, seaside walks, and excellent rail connections to the rest of Morocco. Think less souks and spectacle, more urbane rhythm and old-school glamour.
This guide covers everything you need to plan your visit — where to stay, what to do, where to eat and drink, how to get around, and how to experience Casablanca with confidence and ease.
Casablanca
Why Visit Gay Casablanca?
Casablanca is Morocco’s most liberal, international city — shaped by decades of trade, cinema, design, and global influence. While it doesn’t have visible gay nightlife, it does have something different: space to breathe, exceptional hotels, oceanfront dining, and a sense of modern Moroccan life that feels grounded and lived-in.
It’s also one of the best bases for exploring the rest of the country. With high-speed trains to Tangier, easy rail connections to Marrakech, and excellent access to Rabat, Casablanca works beautifully as either your first or last stop in Morocco.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, discretion is still key — but in upscale hotels, restaurants, and private tours, the atmosphere is relaxed, polished, and quietly welcoming.
CASABLANCA TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Planning your trip to Casablanca? These travel tools and services will save you money and make your visit stress-free:
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Royal Mansour Casablanca
Where to Stay
Casablanca’s best stays lean toward luxury, international standards, and comfort. These two hotels are especially solid choices for LGBTQ+ travelers.
Royal Mansour Casablanca — Art Deco Luxury Reimagined
⭐ Best for: Design lovers, luxury travelers & milestone stays 📍 Location: City center, near the Corniche & Art Deco district
Why We Love It:
Jaw-dropping renovation blending classic Art Deco with modern elegance
Exceptional service and privacy
Destination dining and refined cocktail spaces
Rooftop Dining at Royal Mansour Casablanca The Royal Mansour Casablanca is a masterpiece. Recently reopened after an extensive restoration, it channels Casablanca’s golden age while delivering modern luxury at the highest level. Public spaces feel cinematic, rooms are beautifully detailed, and service is impeccably discreet — ideal for couples or travelers who value privacy.
This is the place to splurge, unwind after a long journey, or bookend your Morocco itinerary in style.
Hyatt Regency Casablanca Hyatt Regency Casablanca — Reliable Comfort with a Social Heart
⭐ Best for: First-timers, business travelers & easy logistics 📍 Location: Central Casablanca, near the Old Medina & Art Deco district
Why We Love It:
Spacious, soundproof rooms with city, Medina, or Hassan II Mosque views
Downstairs Living Room bar & Café M for cocktails and wine
Outdoor pool, full spa, hammam, sauna & 24/7 fitness center
Two squash courts (rare bonus!) and strong breakfast offering
Hyatt Regency Casablanca is a polished, dependable base that makes the city easy — but it’s far from boring. While the rooms deliver the international comfort you expect from Hyatt (great beds, quiet nights, reliable A/C), it’s the public spaces that really elevate the stay.
Living Room at Hyatt Regency Casablanca Downstairs, the Living Room bar and Café M create a genuinely social atmosphere, perfect for unwinding with a drink, meeting other travelers, or easing into the evening before heading out to dinner.
On the wellness side, the hotel goes big: an outdoor pool, full spa with hammam and sauna, massage rooms, and even two squash courts — a surprisingly great perk if you like staying active while traveling. Add a strong breakfast spread at Bissat Restaurant, and you’ve got a hotel that works just as well for a one-night stopover as a longer stay.
If you value comfort, location, and amenities — and want a hotel that feels both easy and lively — Hyatt Regency Casablanca is a smart choice.
Casablanca shines through architecture, ocean views, and well-curated experiences rather than box-ticking tourist sights.
Discover the City on a Private Guided Tour
The best way to understand Casablanca is with context — and a private half-day city tour delivers exactly that. Highlights typically include neighborhoods shaped by French colonial design, modern districts, and a visit to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world.
We recommend booking a private guided city tour so transport, tickets, and navigation are handled for you — especially helpful if you’re short on time.
Casablanca’s oceanfront promenade is perfect for an early morning or late-afternoon stroll. Locals come out to walk, jog, people-watch, and enjoy sea breezes. It’s relaxed, social, and gives you a glimpse into daily life beyond the tourist lens.
Lunch at Cabestan (Oceanfront Classic)
Perched dramatically over the Atlantic, Cabestan is a Casablanca institution. The setting alone is reason enough to visit, but the food and polished service live up to the view. This is an ideal lunch stop or sunset drink — elegant without feeling stiff.
Private Day Trip to Rabat
If you have an extra day, Rabat makes an excellent complement to Casablanca. Morocco’s capital is calmer, greener, and packed with history — from the Kasbah of the Udayas to modern government quarters.
🌟 Pro tip – Planning a trip Morocco? From the best LGBTQ+ friendly hotels to must-visit attractions, dining, and travel tips, find it all in our gay travel guides to the following cities: Essaouira, Marrakech, and Tangier.
La Sqala
Where to Eat and Drink
Casablanca’s dining scene surprised us in the best possible way. Polished, international, and ocean-facing at its best, the city offers standout meals that range from relaxed garden breakfasts to ritzy Atlantic-front lunches and atmospheric dinners rooted in old-Hollywood nostalgia.
These were our favorites — and honestly, some of our strongest food memories from the entire Morocco trip.
La Sqala — Best Breakfast & Brunch in Casablanca
⭐ Best for: Breakfast, brunch & a gorgeous start to the day 📍 Location: Near the Medina, inside historic fort walls
If there’s one meal you cannot miss in Casablanca, it’s breakfast at La Sqala. Set inside a former fort with a lush garden courtyard, this spot feels calm, green, and transportive — a total contrast to the busy streets just outside.
Order the Breakfast Tower for Two and call it a day. It comes with everything: coffee, fresh juices, Moroccan breads and pastries, eggs, jams, honey, spreads — all beautifully presented and more than enough to share. It’s the perfect, unhurried way to ease into the city and was an absolute highlight for us.
⭐ Best for: Light lunch, smoothies & healthy comfort 📍 Location: Central Casablanca
After richer meals elsewhere in Morocco, Organic Kitchen was a welcome reset. Think fresh juices, smoothies, sandwiches, and salads done really well — modern, clean, and satisfying without feeling like “diet food.”
This is a great mid-day stop if you’re sightseeing, working remotely for an hour, or just want something easy and fresh before heading back out.
Le Cabestan — Oceanfront Lunch with a View
⭐ Best for: Scenic lunch, celebration meals & classic Casablanca glamour 📍 Location: The Corniche
Originally opened in 1926, Le Cabestan is an institution — and today it feels thoroughly modern, ritzy, and confident. The dining room hovers above the Atlantic, delivering uninterrupted ocean views that make lunch feel like an occasion.
We’d come here for lunch rather than dinner, when the light is best and the energy feels relaxed but polished. Come hungry, dress nicely, and settle in — this is Casablanca showing off.
Sunset Cocktails at Royal Mansour Casablanca Royal Mansour Casablanca Rooftop — Best Sunset Cocktails in the City
⭐ Best for: Sunset drinks, views & impeccable service 📍 Location: City center, near the Corniche & Art Deco district
For sunset cocktails, it simply doesn’t get better than the rooftop at Royal Mansour Casablanca. The setting is refined without feeling stiff, service is flawless, and the views stretch across the city as the sky shifts color.
If you watched our Marrakech video, you already know how much we love the Royal Mansour brand — and Casablanca absolutely lives up to it. This is a drink with intention kind of place. Linger.
Iloli — Asian-Fusion Dinner Favorite
⭐ Best for: Dinner, sharing plates & lively bar seating 📍 Location: Central Casablanca
For dinner, Iloli delivered across the board. This Japanese–Asian fusion spot is energetic, polished, and genuinely fun. Sitting at the bar is the move — you get a front-row seat to the action while working your way through the hits.
Our favorites: edamame, miso soup, yakisoba with free-range chicken, spicy tuna maki — finished off with vanilla ice cream. Comfortable, familiar flavors done well, and a great contrast to traditional Moroccan meals earlier in the trip.
Rick's Rick's Café Casablanca — Come for the Ambiance
⭐ Best for: Old-Hollywood vibes & live music 📍 Location: Near the Medina
Yes, Rick’s Café is a recreation of the Hollywood set from Casablanca. And yes — it’s still completely worth it.
Book the second seating around 9 PM and request a table near the music. That made all the difference for us. Live piano, moody lighting, and just enough nostalgia to make it feel special without being kitschy.
It even inspired us to finally watch the movie the night before — and we loved it.
Final Bite
Casablanca and its food scene genuinely surprised us. So many people — and so many articles — say to skip it. We wouldn’t.
You don’t need a full week like we did, but one or two nights feels just right, especially with the excellent train and flight connections. It’s a modern city with standout dining, strong hotel options, and a rhythm that feels refreshingly different from the rest of Morocco.
Not a hidden gem — but absolutely underestimated.
Casablanca
When to Go
Casablanca is a year-round destination, but the most comfortable time to visit is April through June and September through November, when temperatures are mild and ideal for sightseeing, dining, and walking along the Corniche.
Summer (July–August) can be hot and humid, especially inland, though ocean breezes help. Winter (December–February) is mild and quieter, with cooler evenings and great value on hotels—perfect if you prefer a slower, more local-paced visit.
Al Boraq Train
Getting Here & Around
Casablanca is one of Morocco’s easiest cities to access and navigate.
By Air: Most travelers arrive via Mohammed V International Airport (airport code: CMN). We strongly recommend pre-booking a private airport transfer to your hotel — it removes all friction after a long flight and avoids taxi negotiations on arrival.
By Train: Casablanca is Morocco’s rail hub — and train travel here is excellent.
To Marrakech: Frequent, smooth service — a popular and easy route
To Tangier: Take the high-speed Al Boraq train from Casa Voyageurs
First class is worth it: Only a few dollars more than second class, with assigned seating, more space, and a calmer ride
Casablanca’s modern tram system is also efficient and useful within the city, including connections toward Casa Voyageurs station for the Al Boraq train.
Getting Around the City
Once in Casablanca, getting around is easy.
Trams: Clean, modern, and affordable for moving across neighborhoods
Taxis: Easy for short hops — confirm the fare before entering
Private drivers: Best for half-day tours, business travel, or comfort
🌟 Pro tip – Always carry travel insurance. We recommend SafetyWing to cover everything from lost luggage to unexpected medical expenses abroad.
Casa Voyageurs
Frequently Asked Questions & Travel Tips
Is Casablanca LGBTQ+ friendly?
Casablanca is Morocco’s most international and business-oriented city. While homosexuality is technically illegal nationwide, upscale hotels, restaurants, and tours operate with a discreet, professional “live and let live” attitude. We consistently felt comfortable in hospitality spaces.
Is public affection okay in Casablanca?
No — this applies to both gay and straight couples. Avoid PDA in public spaces.
How do I get around the city?
Casablanca is easy to navigate with a mix of taxis, modern trams, and trains. For short trips, petit taxis are affordable and convenient, while the city’s clean, efficient tram system is great for getting around central areas and reaching Casa Voyageurs station. For longer trips or transfers, private drivers and pre-booked airport transfers are the most stress-free option.
Can you drink the tap water in Casablanca?
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available everywhere.
Do I need to know Arabic or French?
No. While Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and French are widely spoken, English is commonly used in hotels, restaurants, and tour operations.
Is Casablanca safe for LGBTQ+ travelers?
Yes (in our experience), especially when practicing situational awareness and cultural respect. Stick to central areas, use reputable transport, and follow local norms.
Royal Mansour Casablanca
Final Thoughts
Casablanca may not shout for attention — but that’s exactly its appeal. It’s stylish, lived-in, and effortlessly cool, offering a side of Morocco that feels modern and grounded.
Whether you’re starting your journey, slowing things down between cities, or ending your trip with ocean views and refined comfort, Casablanca delivers an elegant counterbalance to Morocco’s more frenetic destinations — and deserves a spot on any thoughtfully planned itinerary.
🌟 Pro tip – Ready to plan your trip? Check out top Casablanca hotels, thrilling adventures on Viator, and don’t forget travel insurance with SafetyWing for peace of mind.
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