Practical information checked on 2 October 2026. Journey times, schedules, programmes and availability may change: check them before you book.
Casablanca is a good starting point: a practical base for leaving the bustle behind and discovering an imperial capital, a Portuguese city on the Atlantic or, with more time, Marrakech, Fez and the desert. The hard part isn't finding a destination, it's choosing the right one: it all depends on your time, your budget and what you want to see.
This guide to day trips from Casablanca doesn't just list cities. It compares destinations by journey time, separates day trips from those that need a night away, explains the difference between a private excursion, an organised tour and an independent outing, and shows what you can book on MoroccoMuseum.
Day trips from Casablanca at a glance
| Destination | Indicative journey from Casablanca | Recommended format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabat | About 1 h by train | One day | First day trip, heritage |
| El Jadida and Azemmour | About 1 h 30 by road (El Jadida) | One day | Coastal heritage, a calm pace |
| Oualidia | About 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 by road | A full day | Food, nature, relaxation |
| Marrakech | About 2 h 30 to 3 h by train, each way | A very long day or one night | Travellers who want the Red City |
| Fez | About 4 h by train, each way | Better with a night | Imperial cities, medina |
| 5 to 10 day tours | Several days | Several nights | A loop trip, the desert |
Durations are orders of magnitude: they depend on traffic, the means of transport and the train timetable. Check them on the ONCF website before you go.
Day trips close to Casablanca
Rabat: the first day trip to make
Rabat is Morocco's capital, about an hour from Casablanca by train. The city has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012 as "Rabat, Modern Capital and Historic City: a Shared Heritage". The classic stops for a day: the Mohammed V Mausoleum, the Hassan Tower, the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Chellah site, with a walk along the corniche. To learn more: our Rabat page and the Rabat medina listing.
It is the easiest day trip: a single short journey, little risk of the day being too long. It suits travellers who have only one free day.
El Jadida and Azemmour: coastal heritage
El Jadida, about 1 h 30 by road, has the Portuguese city of Mazagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004: ramparts, Portuguese cistern, bastion. The Visit Casablanca route also mentions the lighthouse and the beach, with a seafood break. Azemmour, closer, is a small historic town in the region.
These destinations are presented as general information: MoroccoMuseum offers no excursion there at present. You can organise them yourself (public transport, car or a driver of your choice).
Mohammedia and Bouznika
Visit Casablanca also lists Mohammedia and Bouznika among its coastal destinations. They suit half a day of beach or strolling, not a dense cultural programme.
Full-day excursions
Oualidia: lagoon and oysters
Oualidia, about 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 by road, is a seaside resort known for its lagoon and oysters. The Visit Casablanca route mentions boat trips on the lagoon, the beach, oyster tasting and seafront restaurants. It is a destination for relaxation and food rather than a cultural visit: allow a full day, and check tasting seasons and hours. MoroccoMuseum doesn't offer an excursion to Oualidia at the moment.
Marrakech: possible in a day, but long
Marrakech is about 2 h 30 to 3 h from Casablanca by train. A day trip is possible, but it leaves little time on site: the round trip takes several hours. MoroccoMuseum offers excursions from Casablanca with hotel pick-up: a horse-drawn carriage and camel ride, or a private excursion with camel or quad. Some listings mention a lunch. Check the exact duration, return time and programme in each listing.
Fez: to consider with care
The train takes about 4 h each way. A full day is therefore very long for a single medina. MoroccoMuseum offers a guided tour of Fez with lunch from Casablanca (entrance fees and lunch included according to the listing). If you really want to enjoy Fez, plan a night on the spot instead.
Longer excursions, with nights away
If you have more time, several tours leave from Casablanca: a 5-day tour to Marrakech via the desert dunes, a private 7-day tour (Fez, the Ziz valley, the desert), a luxury 7-day tour, a 10-day tour via the imperial cities and the desert. These tours include accommodation, some meals and transport: programme, comfort and price vary a lot from one listing to another. To sleep in Casablanca before you leave, see our guide on where to stay in Casablanca.
Private, organised tour or independent: which format to choose?
| Format | Advantages | Limits | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent outing (train, taxi) | Flexible budget, you decide everything | You manage times and transfers | Independent travellers, nearby destinations (Rabat) |
| Private excursion with driver-guide | Hotel pick-up, tailored programme, no transfers to manage | Often more expensive than going independently | Families, couples, small groups, busy days |
| Multi-day organised tour | Everything is planned (accommodation, transport, stops) | Less flexibility, longer commitment | Travellers who want a turnkey loop |
Several MoroccoMuseum listings mention hotel pick-up in central Casablanca and an air-conditioned vehicle. Some don't detail the group size: check it before booking if it matters to you.
Excursions available on MoroccoMuseum
These listings are offered by our partners: check the programme, duration, inclusions, price and cancellation conditions in each.
| Excursion | Type | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|
| Private day trip to Rabat from Casablanca | Private, one day | Air-conditioned vehicle with Wi-Fi, driver-guide; some costs (entrance fees, fuel, tips, parking) are mentioned: to check |
| Day trip to the imperial city of Rabat | One day | Expert driver and guide, photo session |
| Private day trip to Rabat from Casablanca (route highlights) | Private, one day | Mohammed V Mausoleum, Hassan Tower, Kasbah of the Udayas, Chellah, corniche |
| Private guided day trip to Rabat | Private, guided | Pick-up at a hotel in central Casablanca, multilingual guide, water |
| Private full-day trip to Casablanca and Rabat | Private, one day | Combines the two cities |
| Marrakech from Casablanca with carriage and camel ride | Excursion from Casablanca | Hotel pick-up, air-conditioned vehicle, guide |
| Private Marrakech excursion, camel ride or quad | Private | Hotel pick-up, official guide |
| Guided tour of Fez with lunch from Casablanca | One-day excursion | Entrance fees, lunch and transfer included according to the listing |
| 5-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech via the desert dunes | 5 days, 4 nights | Breakfasts, dinners, camel rides |
| Private 7-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech | Private, 7 days | Fez, the Ziz valley, a night in the desert |
| 10-day desert tour via the imperial cities | 10 days | Imperial cities, desert |
To see all the offers, browse the excursions available from Casablanca on MoroccoMuseum.
Which excursion for your profile?
- First excursion, one free day: Rabat.
- Family: Rabat, or a shorter day on the coast (to organise yourself); avoid Fez and Marrakech in one day with young children.
- Couple: Rabat privately, or Oualidia for a relaxing day (a destination to organise yourself).
- Small budget: an independent train trip to Rabat.
- Little time or a long layover: a day trip is risky: see our guide to Mohammed V airport and layovers.
- More time: Marrakech with a night, or a multi-day tour.
- Food and nature: Oualidia (a destination to organise yourself).
How to compare before you book
- Journey time and time actually spent on site.
- Means of transport (private vehicle, air conditioning, train).
- Programme: stops, entrance fees included or not, guide.
- Group size and guide language.
- Meals included or not.
- Pick-up: place and time.
- Cancellation conditions and costs not included (entrance fees, fuel, tips, parking).
Practical tips
- Leave early: long journeys eat into visiting time.
- Check the opening times of the sites you want to see.
- Wear comfortable clothes and bring water.
- Keep a margin if you have a flight or train to catch in the evening.
- Check train times on the ONCF website if you go independently.
FAQ — Day trips from Casablanca
What is the best day trip from Casablanca?
Rabat, for its proximity, its heritage and its easy access by train or car.
Can you go to Marrakech in a day from Casablanca?
It is possible, but the journey takes about 2 h 30 to 3 h each way: the day is very long.
Can you go to Fez in a day?
Yes, but the journey is long (about 4 h by train each way). A night on the spot is more comfortable.
Which excursion should you choose with children?
Nearby destinations (Rabat, the coast) suit better than long days.
Private excursion or independent outing?
An independent outing is cheaper and more flexible; a private excursion saves you managing transfers and adapts to your programme.
What does a private excursion include?
It depends on the listing: transport, driver-guide, hotel pick-up. Check what is or isn't included (entrance fees, meals, fuel, tips, parking).
Can you do an excursion during a layover?
Only if the time available allows it comfortably. For a layover, a visit to Casablanca is generally more sensible than a trip to another city.
How long does it take to get from Casablanca to Rabat?
About an hour by train; check the times on the ONCF website.
Which excursions from Casablanca with more than a day?
Marrakech with a night, Fez, or a multi-day tour towards the desert.
Choosing your excursion from Casablanca
The right choice depends on your time: Rabat in a day, the coast for a calmer pace, Marrakech or Fez with a night, a tour if you have several days. Before you book, compare journey times, inclusions and conditions.
If you are staying in Casablanca, see our one-day itinerary, our complete guide to Casablanca or our programme for Casablanca in two days.
See the excursions and experiences available from Casablanca on MoroccoMuseum for your dates.
Durations, schedules, programmes, prices and availability may change. Check the information with ONCF and the providers before you book.
Photo credit: Al Boraq high-speed trains at Casa-Voyageurs station, Sambasoccer27, under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, via Wikimedia Commons; image resized.
