Things to Do in Casablanca in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Casablanca
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect shoulder-season weather with daytime temperatures around 20-22°C (68-72°F) that make walking the medina actually pleasant instead of sweltering. You can explore the narrow souks and climb minaret stairs without feeling like you're melting, which is a real issue from June through September.
- Tourist crowds thin out considerably after the spring break rush but before summer European vacation season kicks in. You'll actually get decent photos at Hassan II Mosque without 200 people in your frame, and restaurant reservations at Rick's Café don't require booking weeks ahead.
- Hotel prices drop 20-30% compared to March and April rates. Mid-range riads in the medina that were running 1,200-1,500 MAD in April are now 850-1,100 MAD, and you have actual negotiating power for longer stays.
- The Atlantic is warming up to around 18-19°C (64-66°F), which is still bracing but actually swimmable if you're not too precious about water temperature. Locals start hitting Ain Diab beach on weekends, and the corniche comes alive with evening strollers without the peak-season chaos.
Considerations
- May sits right in the transition period between spring and summer, which means genuinely unpredictable weather. You might get three gorgeous sunny days followed by two overcast ones with that persistent Atlantic mist that makes everything feel damp. Pack for both scenarios because the forecast is honestly just a suggestion here.
- Those 10 rainy days in the data translate to occasional surprise showers, usually brief but sometimes intense enough to flood certain medina streets for 30-45 minutes. The old quarter drainage system dates back centuries and wasn't designed for sudden downpours, so timing matters if you're planning a full medina day.
- The 70% humidity combined with occasional wind off the Atlantic creates what locals call 'sticky-breezy' weather. You'll be warm enough to sweat but there's enough breeze that you can't quite figure out what to wear. Layering becomes an art form, and that romantic oceanfront dinner might require a light jacket by 9pm.
Best Activities in May
Hassan II Mosque guided tours
May offers ideal conditions for visiting Morocco's largest mosque with its 210m (689ft) minaret. The morning tours around 9-10am catch beautiful natural light streaming through the glass floor overlooking the Atlantic, and temperatures are still comfortable at 18-20°C (64-68°F) before midday warmth sets in. Shoulder season means tour groups are smaller, typically 15-20 people instead of the 40-person crowds in March. The ocean-facing courtyard is particularly stunning when the Atlantic is relatively calm, which happens more frequently in May than winter months.
Old Medina walking tours and souk exploration
The medina becomes genuinely walkable in May once temperatures drop from the 28-30°C (82-86°F) of summer. The narrow streets and covered souks stay naturally cool, and the 70% humidity is less oppressive when you're not dealing with extreme heat. May timing means you'll catch artisans actually working in their shops rather than closing during midday heat. The spice market near Bab Marrakech is particularly atmospheric in late afternoon around 5-6pm when the light angles through the archways and locals are doing their evening shopping.
Ain Diab Corniche beach clubs and seafood restaurants
The oceanfront corniche hits its sweet spot in May when locals start reclaiming the beach but before the packed summer season. Water temperature around 18-19°C (64-66°F) is cold but manageable for swimming, especially midday when air temps peak at 22°C (72°F). Beach clubs charge 100-200 MAD for lounger and umbrella access, and the sunset timing around 8pm means you can do a late afternoon beach session followed by fresh seafood dinner without rushing. The Atlantic Grill and similar spots along the strip are busy but not impossibly crowded like July and August.
Art Deco architecture walking routes
Casablanca's 1920s-1930s French colonial architecture is best appreciated in May's mild weather when you can comfortably walk the 5-6km (3.1-3.7 miles) circuit through downtown without overheating. The Boulevard Mohammed V, Place Mohammed V, and surrounding streets contain the highest concentration of Art Deco and Moorish Revival buildings outside of Paris. Morning light around 9-11am provides the best conditions for photography, and the variable cloud cover in May actually creates more interesting shadows than harsh summer sun. Most buildings are still in active use as offices and apartments, so this is genuine urban exploration rather than a preserved district.
Quartier Habous and Royal Palace area exploration
This 1930s planned neighborhood combines traditional Moroccan architecture with French urban planning and becomes particularly pleasant in May when the tree-lined streets provide natural shade. The souks here are less chaotic than the old medina and focus on books, traditional clothing, and pastries rather than tourist trinkets. The nearby Royal Palace exterior and Mahkama du Pacha courthouse are worth the walk. May afternoons around 4-6pm offer comfortable temperatures for the 2-3km (1.2-1.9 miles) of walking involved, and the pastry shops are restocking their displays for evening customers.
Morocco Mall and modern Casablanca experience
When those May rain showers hit or the Atlantic wind makes beach plans unappealing, Morocco Mall offers a genuinely interesting look at contemporary Moroccan urban culture. This is Africa's second-largest mall with an indoor aquarium, international and Moroccan brands, and a food court that mixes global chains with local options. It sounds touristy but it's actually where middle-class Casablancans spend weekends. The contrast between this and the old medina gives you a fuller picture of the city's economic diversity. The aquarium viewing is included with mall entry and takes 30-45 minutes.
May Events & Festivals
Jazzablanca Festival
This is North Africa's premier jazz festival, typically running over 4-5 days in late May at multiple venues including the Bouregreg Marina stage and indoor theaters. The lineup mixes international jazz headliners with Moroccan fusion acts and emerging artists. Past years have featured names like Herbie Hancock and local favorites like Malika Zarra. The festival atmosphere takes over downtown Casablanca with outdoor stages, late-night jam sessions in clubs, and a genuine music-focused crowd rather than just party tourists. Tickets for individual concerts run 200-600 MAD depending on the act and venue.