The Best Day Trips To Take From Casablanca

While it is possible to hit the major highlights of Casablanca in a day, spending longer in Morocco’s largest city lets you take in all of Casablanca’s attractions. Once you’ve checked the must-see and must-do things off your Casablanca bucket list, why not explore farther afield with one of these day trips?

El Jadida: A Coastal Town With Portuguese Heritage

El Jadida is located 110 kilometres south of Casablanca along the Atlantic Coast. The drive takes around 40 minutes one way. Mazagan Fortress stands in elegant ruin overlooking the sea. Built by the Portuguese, it is today a UNESCO-listed site. Rusty cannons point out over the water and the high walls are a great vantage point for looking out over both the ocean and the surrounding streets. Descend underground into the old water cisterns and wander through the medina, with its European-like architecture. The sandy beaches are popular with locals during the summer months.

Looking out over town from the fortress walls in El Jadida

Azemmour: A Small Historic Town With a Local Vibe

Oualidia: A Popular Holiday Getaway for Moroccans

Oualidia is 188 kilometres from Casablanca; the one-way journey takes around two and a half hours. Chill out on the golden beaches and soak up the pretty views of the arched lagoon. Colourful boats bob on the waves. The wetlands are a haven for bird life and if you visit in spring or autumn you can admire the flock of pink flamingoes that takes up residence there.

Rabat: The Nation’s Modern Capital City

Rabat is just 87 kilometres from Casablanca. The two cities are connected by a well-maintained highway, and the journey should take around an hour and ten minutes. Marvel at the exquisite details of the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, soldiers standing smartly to attention outside, and see the nearby Hassan Tower. Take a stroll through the atmospheric Kasbah of the Oudayas. Admire the pretty gardens and old architecture of Chellah. The beaches are ideal for relaxing, and some spots attract keen surf enthusiasts.

Guards outside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Sale: A Non-Touristy Riverside Town

Sale sits next to Rabat, on the opposite side of the Bou Regreg River. Seeing few international visitors, Sale is a great place to absorb the local way of life. Unhurried and relaxed, children play in the streets, men chat over coffee in one of the chilled-out cafes, and fishing boats sail along the river. There are several interesting woodworking factories, and other highlights include the Great Mosque of Sale and the monumental gate of Bab el-Mrisa. The town is just over 90 kilometres from Casablanca; the journey takes around and hour and a quarter.

Volubilis: A Ruined Site From Roman Times

The UNESCO-listed Volubilis is widely believed to have once been the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Mauretania. The large site is famous for its Roman ruins, with mosaics, foundations, pillars, walls, carvings, arches, and more. It is a little over 260 kilometres from Casablanca. The drive takes around three hours, though the stunning site makes the long journey worthwhile.

Meknes: One of Morocco’s Beautiful Imperial Cities

Meknes is almost 240 kilometres from Casablanca. The drive to the former imperial capital will take around two hours and forty minutes. Although Fes is generally a better base for exploring Meknes and surrounding areas, if time is short and you’re spending most of your time in Casablanca, a day trip is long enough to enjoy the highlights. Snap a photo of the beautiful gate of Bab el-Mansour. Wander through the old medina. Admire the details in the Museum of Moroccan Art, housed within Dar Jamai. Soak up the splendour of the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and Bou Inania Madrasa.

Marrakech: Morocco’s Famous Red City

Marrakech is also located around 240 kilometres from Casablanca. The one-way trip takes approximately two hours and forty minutes. While Marrakech boasts numerous attractions that can keep visitors busy for a few days, day-trippers can still leave satisfied after just a day in the previous imperial city. The city is especially known for its sprawling medina and vibrant souks that sell a wide array of traditional items. There are several excellent museums and art galleries, and historic sites include Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, and two old palaces.

Day trips from Casablanca add variety and spice to your Moroccan adventure, letting you easily see more of the fascinating North African country.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.