Casablanca: Medina, Habous & Rick’s Café Photo Stop Tour

Summary

Medina scents, Habous pastries and city stories with locals

You’ll wander Casablanca’s medina with a local guide who knows every shortcut, taste warm pastries in Habous Quarter’s oldest bakery, sip mint tea where orange blossom fills the air, and pause for photos outside Rick’s Café—plus sweeping Atlantic views from Al Aank Deck. Expect laughter, real stories, and moments you’ll want to remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We’d already circled Rick’s Café before I realized how much the movie still lingers here. Our guide, Samira, pointed at the blue-and-white tiles and laughed about tourists trying to order “gin joints” at noon. The café wasn’t open yet (apparently it never is this early), but she told us a story about the real owner loving jazz. I snapped a photo by the door while an old man shuffled past with a basket of mint — that smell always hits me first in Casablanca.

The taxi ride was fast and loud, windows down, horns everywhere. I tried to count pigeons at Mohammed V Plaza but lost track — too many kids chasing them. We wandered through the old medina next; Samira knew every shortcut, ducking under laundry lines and pointing out little details I’d have missed. There was a bakery window fogged up from inside heat, and she bought us tiny almond cookies dusted with sugar. I’m not usually into sweets before lunch but honestly? Warm pastry in hand, city noise all around — it just felt right.

Habous Quarter surprised me. It’s called the “new medina,” but parts felt older than anything else we’d seen. French arches next to Moroccan tilework, shopkeepers waving us in for olives or leather slippers (I almost caved). At Bennis Pastry House — which has been around since 1938 — we tried gazelle horns and something called chicken pastilla that tasted way better than it sounds. Samira teased my pronunciation (“pastilla” is trickier than you think) and insisted on pouring our mint tea herself. The whole place smelled like orange blossom water; I still think about that.

We ended up on some windy deck above the ocean — Al Aank Observation Deck? You could see Hassan II Mosque floating over the waterline, sunlight bouncing off its tiles. Everyone went quiet for a second; even the city seemed softer from up there. Anyway, if you’re looking for a day trip through Casablanca’s medina and Habous quarter with someone who actually lives here (and knows where to find the best pastries), this tour just… works.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Casablanca's highlights and treats

• View Rick’s Café exterior
• Taxi to Sacred Heart Cathedral
• Visit Arab League Parc
• Explore Mohammed V Plaza
• Discover Habous Quarter shops
• Sample pastries at Bennis Pastry House
• Enjoy ocean views at Al Aank Deck

Top questions

Does this Casablanca tour include hotel pickup?

No, but private transport between sites is included during the tour itself.

Can children join this Casablanca medina & Habous tour?

Yes! Kids under 6 join free—it’s family-friendly.

Are vegetarian or dietary needs accommodated?

Yes—let them know in advance so they can prepare options.

Will we go inside Rick’s Café during this tour?

No—the tour includes an exterior photo stop before opening hours.

How many people are on each group tour?

The group size is small—maximum 12 people per tour.

Is there much walking involved on this day trip?

Yes—you’ll explore both medinas mostly on foot; wear comfy shoes!

What food is included on this Casablanca highlights tour?

You’ll sample traditional Moroccan pastries (like gazelle horns) and olives plus mint tea at a local café.

Where does the tour finish?

The last stop is Al Aank Observation Deck with ocean views of Hassan II Mosque and Casablanca.

What’s included

Your day includes private transport between key sites in Casablanca, guided walks through both the old medina and Habous Quarter, tastings of Moroccan pastries and olives at historic bakeries like Bennis Pastry House, warm mint tea at a local café, plus time for photos outside Rick’s Café and panoramic Atlantic views from Al Aank Observation Deck—all led by a knowledgeable local guide in a small group setting.