One day and one evening in Casablanca- suggestions for Must Sees!!

Everyone will sniff and snort when they read this, but we loved Rick's Cafe! Very beautiful and the food was excellent.

Casablanca isn't on the recommended Moroccan tourist circuit for a reason (it is modern rather than exotic), but a lot of travelers end up there briefly, because it has the most international transportation links. I urge you to spend your full day elsewhere. Rabat is my best suggestion. Other places I'm familiar with (even Meknes) are just too far away for a day-trip.

There may be other viable options. You can ask at your hotel, but understand that their main goal may be to sell you a commission-generating tour--not a problem unique to Morocco.

The very large mosque on the waterfront, Hassan II. The public is allowed to enter it, the only one in Morocco open to all.
Not much else. Spend your time in other places in Morocco. Not an attractive city.

There is also the Hassan II mosque. We could not enter it when we were there, if I remember, it was because that day was the King's birthday. Casablanca was the first city on our tour because our flight was Montreal to Casablanca, so we spent one night and part of a day there only, but it was an interesting introduction to an exotic country.

We spent one day in Casablanca at the end of a two-week tour of the rest of the country. I agree that Casablanca has less going for it than other cities in Morocco, but the Hassan II mosque is worth a visit - especially since other mosques in Morocco don't allow non-Muslims to enter. There was also a stretch along the ocean not too far away where you could walk.

We ended our trip with dinner at Rick's Cafe and had a great time. The movie, of course, was filmed in Hollywood and Rick's Cafe was just fiction. But the re-creation of it is quite amazing and the food was really good. Also, they have a full bar which is fairly unusual in many places in Morocco. You will need reservations - they are very popular.

I think Casablanca has more to offer than just the mosque. There are beautiful Art Deco buildings, the Corniche is nice for a walk, there is the Mahkama du Pacha, a glorious building with fabulous interiors. Entry is free.

I enjoyed my meal at Rick’s Cafe. La Scala is also very nice.

I was thinking about the "street food" breakfast that was one of my strongest memories of a visit to Casablanca years ago. That was at the fishing port, somewhere near the Casa Port train station, where you could get some of the catch cooked up as it came in (e.g., a shrimp omelet). That might not work out but there are a couple of regular seafood restaurants there at the port that are recommended and should have some of the freshest fish in Morocco.

On a related topic, both the Lonely Planet and this Guardian article mention cheap eats along Rue Chaouia near the Marche Central. Note that a Google Maps search for the market will lead you to a different location, several blocks away, so you might want to save this location (or follow the Lonely Planet map).

Renee is correct about the filming of " Casablanca " , but there actually is a real life predecessor to Rick's Café . It is The New York Café in Budapest , where Michael Curtiz ( the director of " Casablanca " ) and his friends ( Peter Loree , and " Cuddles " Sakall , among others ) used to congregate before they escaped to America to avoid the Nazi presence in Europe . This fine book , by Kati Marton , tells the story brilliantly . You will not be able to put it down - https://www.amazon.com/Great-Escape-Kati-Marton/dp/074326116X/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1530889599&sr=8-4&keywords=the+great+escape+book&dpID=41ZV2Wpq0kL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

to be honest Casablanca isn't a very touristic destination, but the good thing is that it'll be less crowded during the summer because most of its inhabitant leave to the north or south on holidays themselves.. it is a modern city, maybe it'll change your perception on north africa. for shopping there are enough malls like Morocco Mall situated in Ein Diab, the famous boulevard of Casablanca and it is situated at the very end of it. I'll suggest you take a walk and enjoy the boulevard, it is on the beach so you can see the mediteranean and end up there; it is a huge mall so you can find anything you think of there from famous brands to comfort and good food. on the other end of the boulevard you can find the famous Hassan II mosque, a very famous architerctural monument, in Morocco and north Africa as a whole. I think this could be a day plan by itself since Ein Diab boulevard in a very long boulevard. I'd suggest you start from the Mosque and walk your way to the mall. It's pretty safe! you may be asked for money on your way from children or a poor person, but nothing dangerous. but of course, be careful! Have a great time!