Casablanca Highlights: Medina, Habous & Rick's Cafe Photo Stop

Casablanca confuses most visitors. It is Morocco’s largest city, its economic engine, and yet everyone asks the same question: what is there actually to do here? This walking-focused half-day tour answers that by getting you off the main boulevards and into the medina streets, the Habous Quarter, and past landmarks like Rick’s Cafe that most people only manage to photograph from outside. Four hours on foot with a local guide gives Casablanca a texture that a chauffeured drive-by simply cannot match.

What actually happens

The tour is built around walking rather than riding in a vehicle, which makes a significant difference to how much of Casablanca you actually absorb. You explore the old medina on foot - narrower, grittier, and more lived-in than most tourists expect. The Habous Quarter, sometimes called the new medina, follows a different rhythm - built by the French in the 1930s with traditional Moroccan design, it has a tidier, more navigable feel and is excellent for picking up olives, spices, and pastries. You sample local food along the way. There is a photo stop at Rick’s Cafe, the bar inspired by the Humphrey Bogart film, and views of the Atlantic coast. The guide provides context about Casablanca’s history, architecture, and daily life that you simply would not pick up on your own.

Our honest take

This is one of the better ways to experience Casablanca, a city that too many visitors dismiss as not worth their time. The walking format means you actually engage with the place rather than observing it through a car window. The 4.8 rating across 360 reviews is strong. That said, EUR45 is a fair chunk for a walking tour by Moroccan standards - similar tours in Marrakech or Fez cost less. The Rick’s Cafe stop is a photo opportunity, not a visit inside - if you want to actually drink there, you will need to go back on your own. Be realistic about the walking too. Four hours on your feet in Casablanca heat, particularly in summer, requires decent fitness and appropriate footwear.

Who should book this

• Visitors with a day or half-day in Casablanca who want to make it count rather than just ticking off the Hassan II Mosque
• Anyone who enjoys exploring cities on foot and getting into the backstreets
• Food-curious travellers - the medina and Habous sampling opportunities are a highlight
• Cruise passengers docked in Casablanca who want a more authentic experience than the standard bus tours

Who should skip this

• Travellers with mobility issues - four hours of walking on uneven medina streets is demanding
• Anyone hoping for an in-depth mosque visit - this tour focuses on the medina and Habous, not religious sites
• Visitors who only have two hours - this needs the full four to be worthwhile
• People who dislike walking in heat - in July and August, this will be physically tough

Before you book

Duration: 4 hours on foot

Price: From EUR45 per person

Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before - book early as this tour has limited availability.

Rating: 4.8/5 from 360 verified reviews

Practical tip: Wear broken-in walking shoes with good grip - medina surfaces range from smooth tile to rough cobblestone. Bring a small backpack for any food or goods you buy along the way.