Casablanca-Settat is Morocco's economic heartland on the Atlantic coast: Casablanca with the Hassan II Mosque, the Art Deco downtown and the Ain Diab Corniche, plus the beach town of Mohammedia, the UNESCO-listed Portuguese City of El Jadida, the old port of Azemmour and the oyster lagoon of Oualidia.
Cultural orientation
Essential context for travellers.
Casablanca is Morocco's most cosmopolitan city, but modest dress is still expected away from beach clubs.
Greet with 'Salam' or 'Bonjour'; French is widely spoken.
Ask before photographing people.
Do's and don'ts
Quick guide to local norms.
Do
- Dress with shoulders and knees covered at the mosque and in the Habous
- Accept mint tea as hospitality
- Bargain politely in souks
- Tip 5-10 percent in restaurants
Don't
- Do not photograph women or officials without permission
- Do not drink alcohol in public
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Do not enter working mosques other than the Hassan II Mosque
Etiquette by setting
How to navigate everyday situations.
- Greetings
- A handshake is common between men; wait for women to offer a hand.
- Dining
- Eat with the right hand when sharing from a tagine.
- Dress
- Loose clothing covering shoulders and knees; swimwear only at beaches and pools.
- Gifts
- Pastries or sweets are welcome if invited home.
- Business
- Business meetings often start late; relationships matter.
- Tipping
- 5-10 percent (10-20 MAD / $1-2) in restaurants; 5-10 MAD ($0.50-1) for porters.
Useful phrases
A few words go a long way.
Salam (سلام)
Hello
sa-LAAM
Shukran (شكرا)
Thank you
SHOOK-ran
Bsh-hal? (بشحال)
How much?
bsh-HAL
La, shukran
No, thank you
la SHOOK-ran
Religion & spirituality
Understanding faith in Casablanca-Settat.
Main: Islam (Sunni, Maliki school) is the state religion; Casablanca also has Christian and Jewish communities.
Sites: The Hassan II Mosque is the only large mosque open to non-Muslim guided visits; the Museum of Moroccan Judaism documents Jewish heritage.
Holy Days: Ramadan shifts yearly; restaurants may close by day. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are national holidays.
Conversations: Religion is discussed openly and respectfully; avoid criticism.