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Casablanca - Things to Do in Casablanca in October

Things to Do in Casablanca in October

October weather, activities, events & insider tips

October Weather in Casablanca

24°C (75°F) High Temp
17°C (62°F) Low Temp
46 mm (1.8 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is October Right for You?

Advantages

  • Post-summer shoulder season means 30-40% lower hotel rates compared to peak summer months, with plenty of availability even booking just 2-3 weeks out. You'll actually get your pick of accommodations without the July-August price surge.
  • Ocean temperatures hover around 22°C (72°F) - still perfectly comfortable for swimming at Ain Diab beach without the summer crowds. The Atlantic hasn't cooled down yet, so you get warm water with far fewer people fighting for beach space.
  • Walking weather is genuinely pleasant for exploring the medina and Habous Quarter. That 17-24°C (62-75°F) range means you can comfortably wander for hours without the oppressive heat of summer. Mornings especially are crisp and perfect for photography.
  • October catches the tail end of wedding season in Morocco, so you might stumble upon actual local celebrations in the medina with traditional music and processions. It's not staged for tourists - these are real events, and Moroccans are typically welcoming if you're respectful and stay on the periphery.

Considerations

  • Those 10 rainy days are unpredictable - you might get a light drizzle or a proper downpour that floods certain medina alleyways. The drainage system in the old city hasn't kept pace with development, so some areas become genuinely unpleasant to navigate when it rains heavily.
  • The Atlantic can be moody in October. Some days you'll get gorgeous sunshine, other days it's grey and overcast with that damp coastal chill. If you're coming specifically for beach time, you're gambling a bit - maybe 60% of days will be beach-worthy.
  • This is actually peak season for Moroccan domestic tourism during school holidays (mid-October), so popular spots like Rick's Café and Hassan II Mosque can get crowded with Moroccan families. The vibe shifts from international tourism to more local visitors, which changes the dynamic.

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Best Activities in October

Hassan II Mosque guided tours

October's milder temperatures make the 30-45 minute guided tours far more comfortable than summer visits. The mosque sits right on the Atlantic, and in October you get that dramatic interplay of light through the retractable roof without sweltering in the enclosed prayer hall. The marble floors stay cool underfoot, and the ocean views from the exterior courtyard are spectacular when the weather cooperates. Worth noting that Friday mornings are prayer-only, so tours run afternoon only on Fridays.

Booking Tip: Tours run approximately every hour from 9am-5pm except prayer times. Tickets typically cost 120-150 MAD (12-15 USD). Book same-day or one day ahead - no need to reserve weeks in advance unless you're visiting during Moroccan school holidays mid-month. Modest dress required - shoulders and knees covered, scarves provided for women. Reference the booking widget below for current tour options with English-speaking guides.

Old Medina walking exploration

October weather is genuinely ideal for spending 3-4 hours wandering the medina's narrow streets. Summer heat makes it oppressive by midday, but in October you can explore comfortably from 10am-2pm. The covered souks stay cool naturally, and the residential areas of the medina reveal daily life - women shopping for vegetables, kids playing football in small squares, men drinking mint tea at corner cafes. The 70% humidity means those stone walls stay pleasantly cool. Just avoid the hour after Friday prayers when streets get congested.

Booking Tip: Walking tours through the old medina and Habous Quarter typically run 200-350 MAD (20-35 USD) for 2-3 hours. Morning tours starting 9-10am catch the best light and avoid afternoon rain potential. Look for guides registered with the Casablanca tourism office - they'll have official badges. You can also explore independently with a good map, though having a guide helps navigate the less touristy residential sections where you'll see actual daily life. Check current guided tour options in the booking section below.

Corniche Ain Diab coastal walks and beach clubs

The 4 km (2.5 mile) Corniche promenade is perfect for October evenings when temperatures drop to that comfortable 17-19°C (62-66°F) range. Locals come out for sunset walks and the beach clubs transition from day lounging to evening dining. The Atlantic breeze is refreshing rather than cold, and you'll see Casablancans doing their evening exercise routines, families eating ice cream, and couples strolling. Beach clubs stay open through October with heated pools if ocean swimming feels too cool on cloudier days.

Booking Tip: Beach club day passes run 150-400 MAD (15-40 USD) depending on amenities - pool access, loungers, towels included. Higher-end clubs offer better food and maintained facilities. Book directly or walk in - October isn't crowded enough to require advance reservations except weekends. Sunset timing in October is around 6:30-7pm, so plan your walk for 5:30pm onwards to catch the best light and local crowds. Public beach access is free but facilities are minimal.

Casablanca food tours and market visits

October brings seasonal produce to the Central Market - fresh figs, pomegranates, and the first winter citrus. The cooler weather makes market exploration more pleasant, and you can actually stand at street food stalls without melting. This is prime time for trying msemen (Moroccan flatbread) at breakfast spots and tajines at lunch without the heat being overwhelming. The fish market section is particularly vibrant in October as fishing conditions improve after summer. Evening food tours work well since it's not dark until 7pm, giving you that golden hour light in the Habous Quarter.

Booking Tip: Food-focused walking tours typically cost 300-500 MAD (30-50 USD) for 3-4 hours including tastings. Morning tours starting 9-10am catch markets at peak activity. Look for tours that include Central Market, Habous Quarter bakeries, and actual neighborhood spots rather than just tourist restaurants. Some tours include cooking demonstrations. Independent exploration works too - the Central Market is easy to navigate, and pointing at food you want generally works even without French or Arabic. See current culinary tour options in the booking widget below.

Day trips to Rabat or El Jadida

October weather is ideal for the 1-hour train ride to Rabat or 1.5-hour drive to El Jadida. Rabat's Kasbah of the Udayas and Chellah ruins are far more pleasant to explore in October temperatures than summer heat. El Jadida's Portuguese Cistern stays naturally cool, and the beach town feels authentically Moroccan rather than touristy. The train system is comfortable and reliable, with departures every 30-60 minutes. You'll see actual commuters and students, not just tourists. October's variable weather means you might get dramatic cloudy skies that make for better photography than harsh summer sun.

Booking Tip: Train tickets to Rabat cost 40-70 MAD (4-7 USD) each way, first class recommended for comfort. Trains run 6am-10pm frequently. Book same-day at the station or one day ahead online through ONCF website. For El Jadida, organized day trips cost 400-600 MAD (40-60 USD) including transport and guide, or rent a car for 300-400 MAD per day if you're comfortable driving in Morocco. Grand taxis can be negotiated for 500-700 MAD round trip for up to 6 people. Check the booking section below for current day trip options with guides and transport included.

Art Deco architecture walking tours

Casablanca has one of the world's largest concentrations of Art Deco buildings from the French colonial period, and October weather is perfect for the 2-3 hours of walking required to see the key buildings in the city center. The soft October light is actually better for photographing white facades than harsh summer sun. You'll cover roughly 3-4 km (1.8-2.5 miles) seeing buildings along Boulevard Mohammed V and the area around Place des Nations Unies. Many buildings are still functioning offices and apartments, so you're seeing living architecture, not museums. The Villa des Arts often has exhibitions worth combining with your architectural walk.

Booking Tip: Specialized architecture tours cost 250-400 MAD (25-40 USD) for 2-3 hours with guides who actually understand the architectural history rather than just pointing at buildings. Morning tours work best for photography lighting. You can also self-guide using the CasaMemoire organization's walking map, available at tourist offices or online. Most buildings are exterior viewing only, though some lobbies are accessible during business hours. The Villa des Arts museum entry is 30 MAD. Reference booking options below for architecture-focused guided tours.

October Events & Festivals

Early October

Jazzablanca Festival (occasionally extends into early October)

While primarily a September festival, Jazzablanca sometimes schedules closing performances in the first few days of October. This is Morocco's premier jazz festival, attracting international artists and serious music fans. Venues include outdoor stages and indoor concert halls around the city. If you're visiting early October, worth checking the current year's schedule - when it happens, it's a genuine cultural event, not tourist entertainment. Tickets sell through official channels and range considerably depending on the artist.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket that packs small - those 10 rainy days mean you'll likely encounter at least one or two showers. The rain tends to come in quick bursts rather than all-day drizzle, so you need something you can stuff in a daypack, not a full raincoat.
Layers for temperature variation - mornings at 17°C (62°F) feel genuinely cool, especially near the ocean, but by afternoon you're at 24°C (75°F). A light cardigan or long-sleeve shirt over a t-shirt works better than trying to dress for one temperature.
Closed-toe walking shoes with decent tread - medina streets are uneven cobblestones that get slippery when wet. Those fashionable sandals won't cut it when you're navigating wet marble or stone surfaces. You'll walk 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily if you're exploring properly.
SPF 50+ sunscreen despite variable weather - UV index of 8 is still high, and cloudy days can be deceptive. The Atlantic breeze makes you feel cooler than you are, so you'll burn without realizing it, especially on the Corniche or beach.
Modest clothing for mosque visits and conservative areas - lightweight long pants or skirts that cover knees, shirts that cover shoulders. The 70% humidity means cotton and linen breathe better than synthetics. You'll be more comfortable and more respectful.
Small umbrella rather than relying only on rain jacket - useful for both rain and occasional intense sun. The compact travel umbrellas work fine for the short bursts of rain typical in October.
Reusable water bottle - tap water isn't drinkable for most visitors, but hotels and many cafes will refill bottles with filtered water. October temperatures mean you'll drink 2-3 liters daily while walking around.
Light scarf or shawl - useful for women visiting mosques (required head covering), but also handy for everyone when the Atlantic breeze picks up in the evening or for dusty medina areas.
Small daypack for daily exploration - you'll need space for water, rain jacket, camera, and purchases from markets. Something that closes securely for crowded medina areas.
Antihistamines if you're sensitive to dust or mold - October humidity plus old medina buildings can trigger allergies. Pharmacies are everywhere if you forget, but having your preferred brand helps.

Insider Knowledge

The Central Market (Marché Central) is genuinely worth visiting around 10-11am when it's fully active but not yet mobbed. By 2pm many vendors are packing up. The upstairs restaurant section serves extremely fresh grilled fish at half the price of tourist restaurants - you pick your fish downstairs, they cook it upstairs. Expect to pay 80-150 MAD (8-15 USD) for a full grilled fish lunch.
Casa Voyageurs train station is more convenient than Casa Port for most destinations despite what some guides say. It's better connected to the city center and has more frequent departures to Marrakech, Rabat, and Tangier. The station has decent cafes and clean bathrooms - useful since public facilities in the city are hit or miss.
Petits taxis (small red taxis) legally must use meters within Casablanca, but many drivers claim they're broken. Insist on the meter or agree on a price before getting in. Typical medina to Corniche ride should be 25-40 MAD (2.50-4 USD). After 8pm rates increase by 50%. Uber and Careem work in Casablanca and are often easier for visitors who don't speak French or Arabic.
The actual Rick's Café (yes, themed after the movie) is admittedly touristy but the building itself is a restored mansion worth seeing, and the evening piano music captures something of 1940s Casablanca atmosphere. That said, it's expensive - expect 200-350 MAD (20-35 USD) per person for dinner. Go for drinks and atmosphere around 6-7pm if you want the experience without the full dinner commitment. Reservations recommended for dinner, walk-ins usually fine for drinks.
October is when Casablancans start returning to indoor cafes after summer. The cafe culture here is real - men (mostly men, though this is slowly changing) spend hours over mint tea and newspapers. Café Maure in the Habous Quarter and the cafes around Place Mohammed V offer genuine local atmosphere. A mint tea costs 10-15 MAD and you can sit as long as you want. It's actually a great way to rest between walking sessions and watch daily life.
The medina in Casablanca is far less touristy than Marrakech or Fes, which means fewer aggressive vendors but also less infrastructure for tourists. You'll see actual residential life, but you might also feel more conspicuous. Most medina residents are friendly and helpful if you're lost, but learn basic French greetings - it goes a long way. 'Bonjour' and 'merci' will get you further than English in most interactions.
Moroccan dirham (MAD) isn't available outside Morocco, so you'll need to exchange on arrival or use ATMs. ATMs at the airport have reasonable rates despite being at the airport. Credit cards work at hotels and larger restaurants, but bring cash for markets, taxis, and smaller establishments. Exchange rates in October 2026 will fluctuate, but budget roughly 10 MAD to 1 USD or 11 MAD to 1 EUR for planning purposes.

Avoid These Mistakes

Assuming Casablanca is a major tourist destination like Marrakech - it's actually a working commercial city where tourism is secondary. The Hassan II Mosque is spectacular, but beyond that, the appeal is in experiencing a real Moroccan city rather than curated tourist experiences. Adjust expectations accordingly or you'll be disappointed looking for attractions that don't exist.
Not checking the Moroccan school holiday schedule for mid-October - when schools are out, domestic tourism spikes significantly. Hotels near the Corniche fill up with Moroccan families, and popular restaurants get crowded. If you're visiting mid-October, book accommodations earlier than you otherwise would for shoulder season.
Overdressing for the weather or underpacking for temperature variation - visitors either pack for hot Morocco and freeze in the mornings, or pack too warm and are uncomfortable by afternoon. October requires actual layering strategy, not just summer clothes or just cool-weather clothes. That 17-24°C (62-75°F) range spans more than you'd think when you're walking all day.
Spending too little time here or trying to see everything in one rushed day - Casablanca rewards 2-3 days of exploration. One day feels rushed and you'll miss the rhythm of the city. Three days lets you see the major sites, explore neighborhoods properly, take a day trip, and actually relax into the pace. The city reveals itself slowly, not in a checklist of attractions.

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September

Travel guide for September

November

Travel guide for November

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Weather and seasonal patterns for Casablanca

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