Flying into Casablanca. Where should I stay in Casablanca?
Recommends for cities to stay in, hotels and how many days.
Should I do a 'hub and spoke' using Casablanca as a base or travel from city to city?
Posted by
8239 posts
Casablanca is the least interesting city that I visited in Morocco. Don't plan to stay there, move on to Fes, Marrakesh. Agaidar and Rabat.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA ☔️
6788 posts
Yep, what geovagriffith said above.
Unless you have to go through there (and if that's your reason, I'd re-evaluate that), I see no good reason to even go to Casablanca. IME there's just not much there of interest to most visitors (only sight that's moderately interesting is the large mosque on the waterfront; it's big and impressive and in a unique location, but it's a modern building and not all that interesting - you'll see much better architecture elsewhere).
Consider flying directly to Marrakech or Fes instead. There are crazy-cheap flights to these historic cities from all over western Europe (if you want cheap, look at tickets from Madrid, Barcelona and many other cities -- even Paris). Morocco is a mass tourism destination for Europeans. Mass tourism comes with some downsides but makes flights very cheap.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Flying from Chicago to Casablanca; bought the flight. Flying in October 6 and leaving October 15.
I am traveling alone. (male, architect, 76, prefer grit to glitz)
What hotels would you recommend in Fe, Tangier, Marrakesh, Asilah?
How long stay in each city and would you recommend any other city?
Are there markets that are best on Saturday or some day of the week.
Posted by
Sintra (PT)/Olney (MD)
38 posts
We went in March days after everything reopened so it might be a little different now.
hotel in Fez "Dar D'Or" was just right, fair price, location and the owner is super nice. 2 days
Merzouga - 7 hours from Fez, sleep in the Sahara Kanz Erremal Hotel gorgeous right on the sand then 2 days to get to Marrakesh (sleep on the way, stop in Ouarzazate)
Marrakesh can be overwhelming, people are more in your face with their goods, just go with the flow :-) 2 days max for me
The jewel of Morocco IMO is this 2-3 day-drive from Fez to Marrakesh through the desert.
We rented a car because the private tours were overpriced and it was the best decision. Roads are fine, lots of police everywhere and the scenery is just... WOW!
(I wouldn't go alone though, best pay for the tour)